We recently connected with Jonathan Cuartas and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jonathan, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.
Writers block is something that plagues so many screenwriters. Some claim it’s a myth, or an excuse to procrastinate. I don’t know if that’s true, but I’ve been blocked more times than I can remember. It’s that gnawing feeling in the back of your mind as you’re deep into writing – the type of feeling that makes you ask yourself: Is any of this actually good? The best way to get over it, at least for me, is to keep going. Make the choices, write them down, and confide in the fact that you can – and most certainly will – come back to change, heighten, amplify and revise those choices. I find that most of my writers block comes from a place of fear. Am I good enough? Is this story worth telling? Am I the right person to tell it? Even as I write this paragraph, I’m questioning how coherent it is, haha. But as they say, some of the best things to pursue are the things that scare you. I’ve found comfort in exploring, and writing about, the things that most scare me, both externally and internally. I force myself to sit down, open my screenplay document, stare it down and not be afraid to read over my choices. From there, I start typing.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a Colombian-American writer/director from Miami, FL. I started making short films back in 2013, while simultaneously going to film school. My brother (Michael Cuartas, director of photography) and I bought a camera and insisted on making films, no matter how small. From there, we insisted on attending any film festival that invited our work. We slowly expanded our network, made friends with other artists and filmmakers, and volunteered on various film sets. We were dedicated, but also blessed to have the unwavering support of our family (our dad was the production designer on some of our films) and friends.
In 2019, we embarked on the production of our debut feature film, My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To. Despite the pandemic in 2020, the film did well in the festival circuit, winning awards at Tribeca and acclaimed horror festival Sitges. The vampiric horror-drama found US (and UK) distribution, and is now available to stream on Peacock and Amazon Prime, as well as Screambox.
It’s been a fun ride, and there’s still so much to learn. I’ve always approached this industry with a receptive mind and collaborative spirit. It takes so many people to make a film happen, and I’ll never take that for granted.
I was lucky enough to find representation off the critical success of our debut feature, and am now proudly working with agency WME and manager Chervine Naamani. They’ve advocated for the growth of my career as a writer/director, putting me in rooms I never thought I’d be in, and giving me the chance to pitch on projects I never thought I’d pitch on. Currently, I’m developing a new screenplay, a possession film set in 80s Miami with Colombian characters. I hope I get to make it soon, alongside my brother of course!
When I’m not directing or writing, I’m usually editing, particularly on films within the Haitian diaspora in Miami. One of the most recent features I edited, Mountains (co-written/directed by Monica Sorelle and co-written/produced by Robert Colom), had its world premiere at Tribeca in 2023, screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and won a Film Independent Spirit Award.
I can’t wait to keep making more films with the people I love and respect!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think the most important quality throughout my journey has been determination. Hustling is so important in this industry. When someone told me no, I just asked someone else. When I got a film festival rejection, I just submitted somewhere else. When a screenplay didn’t work, I just wrote something else. It’s crucial to push for what you want – and the best thing to do is start. Pick up a camera, cast your friends, watch Youtube tutorials to learn how to edit – as long as you’re creating.
For folks who are early in their journey, just know that there will always be gatekeepers, whether you’re making your first short film or your fifth feature. But luckily for you, gatekeepers don’t get to determine how much drive you have. If they say no, find another way to break through that gate. Make a bold short film that no one else in the world could make. Write a script that pushes the boundaries of the medium. Be undeniable! It’s obviously easier said than done, but practically speaking, I believe the best thing to do is find a good support system and start shooting.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without my family. My parents and two brothers have played such a significant role in my growth, whether by inspiring me to create, recounting their personal stories that spark ideas for scripts, or just cheering me on when I needed it most. My parents came to this country in the pursuit of a better life, and I’m eternally grateful that they were able to give me the space and the privilege to chase a career in the arts, something they didn’t have the luxury of doing.
I couldn’t finish this interview without shouting out my older brother Michael. Besides making all our films look incredible with his indelible cinematography, he has without a doubt been the person who keeps me going. There are times I wanna give up, pursue a more practical career, but he’s always there to convince me otherwise. Our communication on set is so seamless, we practically have our own language. I never wanna work on a film without him.
Contact Info:
- Website: jonathan-cuartas.com
- Instagram: @joncuartas
- Twitter: @jonnycuartas
Image Credits
Jonathan Cuartas_Personal Photo Jonathan Cuartas_Additional Photo 1 Jonathan Cuartas_Additional Photo 2 Jonathan Cuartas_Additional Photo 3 Credit: Ivanna Picon All other photos Courtesy of Dark Sky Films
