Meet Steven Moreno

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Steven Moreno. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Steven, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been driven to tell stories. I’ve always been a dreamer, yearning for connection with people. Growing up, I showed signs of the performance bug during family reunions and middle school talent shows, but I was externally shy. This led my parents to discuss enrolling me in acting classes or auditions, but in the early ’80s, such opportunities weren’t easily accessible. Moreover, I lacked the confidence to pursue them at the time.

In high school, my shyness and lack of self-confidence left me feeling alienated and isolated. This combination of natural traits and teenage discomfort created a perfect storm. I immersed myself in music, writing poems, songs, and short stories daily. I was obsessed with movies and read voraciously. My passion for discovering and sharing music with others was intense. I longed to escape the suburbs, to experience the world, to live a life I deemed worth living—craving culture, art, and meaningful connections. All I needed was a seed of hope that these aspirations were attainable.

While fumbling through college without direction, I worked as a waiter in a small New Jersey town bordering Manhattan. There, I was suddenly surrounded by actors and artists. We bonded and became close, making a creative career seem possible. A few months later, I quit college, moved to New York City, secured a headshot and an agent, and began auditioning for projects and booking work. I’ve never looked back.

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 Los Angeles-based filmmaker with nearly three decades of experience in the entertainment industry. I own a camera and lighting rental company, as well as a production company. My career has encompassed a diverse range of projects, including feature films, commercials, television series, shorts, and music videos.

Recently, I served as both director and cinematographer on a commercial campaign for The Home Depot and for Telly, an entertainment/tech startup. I wrapped a highly stylized feature-length documentary aiming for Netflix distribution, and a Ketel One commercial starring Patrick Schwarzenegger. I also served as Director of Photography on a segment for John Mulaney’s Emmy-nominated Netflix special “Everyone’s in LA.” Last year, I completed principal photography on the horror/thriller feature film “The Stage,” and two years ago, I served as director of photography and executive producer on the indie comedy “Sour Party,” which recently secured distribution through Anchor Bay.

In recent years, I was cinematographer on a national network commercial featuring Pete Davidson and Netflix promos with the casts of “Stranger Things” and “The Umbrella Academy.”

Some of my other notable projects include three seasons of the scripted series “Writer’s Room” with Kevin Hart, a three-season documentary series with Zooey Deschanel, a talk show hosted by Van Jones featuring guests like Kim Kardashian and Jamie Foxx, a Vogue campaign with Lily-Rose Depp, an ad with Angelina Jolie, and a live, narrative sci-fi series that earned an Emmy pre-nomination.

Feel free to explore more of my work at stevenmoreno.com.

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?

We all have our unique makeup. I believe it’s essential to understand ourselves, be true to who we are, and trust our instincts. As long as it’s not harming anyone else, we should pursue what we love and what makes us feel good.

Working as a cinematographer is quite physically demanding. One of my colleagues once referred to it as “creative manual labor.” At times, you might have a 30-pound camera on your shoulder for extended periods. An average workday spans 12 hours, with longer days reaching up to 16 hours, often with minimal breaks. I believe my fitness and athleticism significantly contribute to my ability to meet these demands.

Creatively, I’m deeply drawn to storytelling. I’m fascinated by characters and the human experience, embracing both our beauty and flaws. I’ve always had a keen eye for composition and aesthetics.

I’ve consistently been a hard worker and a good collaborator, thriving under pressure. A decade of bartending in bustling New York City and Los Angeles nightclubs honed my ability to perform well in high-stress environments, a skill that translates well to film production.

I absolutely love what I do. It’s both rewarding and challenging. My only regret is not working harder on my career when I was younger. I succumbed to self-doubt and fear too many times, leading to self-destructive behaviors. I wish I could reclaim those moments.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

As a cinematographer and co-producer, I am diligently steering my career toward narrative directing, focusing on feature-length films and television series. This progression feels like the natural culmination of my journey, though it’s a challenging summit to reach.

In my role as a cinematographer, directors and producers seek me out for my ability to craft compelling visuals, lead my crew effectively, and meet our filming objectives on time and within budget. Transitioning to directing places me in a position where I become the project’s ambassador and primary liaison with clients, producers, brands, and agencies. This shift demands enhanced diplomacy and social engagement, as well as navigating through various gatekeepers to achieve this goal.

Currently, I have a slate of feature-length projects I intend to direct. I’m actively exploring financing avenues to secure the necessary funds for production, followed by strategizing distribution pathways. There’s a great deal to learn, but my thirst for knowledge keeps me motivated. I remind myself to keep moving forward—if I encounter obstacles, I find alternative routes, adapt, and strive to remain present throughout the journey.

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