We recently had the chance to connect with Taz Garcia and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Taz, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Right now, I’m being called to fully embrace the role I once tried to distance myself from, especially after being dubbed the Maverick of Indie Filmmaking. I used to worry that holding on to that title meant I wasn’t evolving, especially after working on multi-million dollar sets. People would say, ‘You’ve made it to the big leagues, it’s time to leave the indie image behind.’ And for a while, I believed them.
I wrote the book How to Make It from a No to Whoa Budget for a reason. I started with no gear, no money, no experience, and no real connections, just a passion to create. And now I see a new generation of filmmakers and performers doing the same. They’re using phones, creativity, and pure drive to tell their stories and build careers on their own terms.
What I once thought I had to grow out of, I now see as one of my greatest strengths. Whether I’m teaching at film schools, running workshops, or mentoring up-and-coming creators, I realize that the industry still needs Mavericks, especially in a world indulged in social media and short-form content. People who prove that it’s not about the budget, it’s about the belief and vision. That’s what I’m here for.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Taz “Tazito” Garcia, an actor, director, top selling author and mentor who unintentionally became dubbed the Maverick of indie filmmaking scene in 2009. Since my big screen debut, I’ve had the chance to work with legends like Sylvester Stallone, Jackie Chan, John Cena, and most recently went head to head with Alan Ritchson in Amazon Prime’s #1 show Reacher. Along the way I’ve picked up awards like Breakout Action Performer of the Year in Hollywood and became the youngest recipient of the ICON Award in LA in 2016.
What makes my journey unique is that it started far from Hollywood. I’ve experienced war, competed as a pro athlete, and worked in the corporate world before following my passion into film. I’ve since built a brand around creating high-impact stories and helping others do the same, whether it’s through directing, mentoring, or teaching.
As a published author of “How to Make It from a No to Whoa Budget,” co-founder of the Movie Expo, and board member at film schools, I love supporting rising talent who create with passion, not permission. I’m also deeply involved in charitable causes and community-building, because at the end of the day, it’s not just about making movies — it’s about making a difference.
Currently, I’m focusing on championing the next wave of filmmakers and storytellers who are rewriting the rules with the tools at their disposal. That’s where I feel most at home, and most impactful.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a kid, I believed life was supposed to follow a straight line. Go to school, pick a job, stick with it, start a family, retire, and that was it. I almost bought into that idea because it was the path everyone around me pushed.
Deep down, I knew there was more. More to experience, more to create, more ways to live. I’ve learned that you don’t have to stick to one thing forever. You can pivot, reinvent yourself, go back to school, switch careers, and build a life that actually excites you.
What I once saw as “the way” now feels like just one option. I chose to build my own path instead.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self this: People will always have something to say, and it won’t always be kind. Sometimes it’ll come from the ones closest to you. Do it anyway. Because if you choose a path that doesn’t make you happy, they’ll still have something to say. So you might as well do what you love.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, absolutely. What people see is 100 percent me. I might only share limited parts of my life, but everything I do share is genuine and unfiltered. If anything, I’m probably even more fun in real life! haha.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I was someone who genuinely wanted to make a difference. Someone who gave back because I’ve seen darkness early on, growing up during war. I did what I loved and lived by an honor code I learned from martial arts. I always practiced what I preached and stayed true to my values no matter what.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tazitogarcia.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/tazgarciaofficial
- Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/tazitogarcia
- Twitter: https://x.com/Tazito_Garcia/
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/tazgarciaofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/tazgarcia
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@tazgarciaofficial
