We recently connected with Carlos and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Carlos with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My parents are immigrants that came to this country without a career path so I learned from them what hard work meant under American capitalism. I am also an elder Millennial who came of age under the financial insecurity of the 2008 recession so my drive and work ethic stems from that along with understanding my position as a brown man in the film industry that I have to work harder than most in my position.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a filmmaker based in NYC. I have been directing and shooting films for over 17 years. I work primarily in the narrative and documentary space. My work spans features films, short films, music videos and everything in between. I love what I do because it gives me the opportunity to explore concepts and ideas that I would normally not engage with, especially my work in documentary. The highlight of my career has been writing and directing my independent television pilot “Chiqui”, about my parents coming to the US from Colombia in 1987. The film premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and was a highlight of the episodic program. For such a personal story that is primarily in Spanish to be selected at one of the top film festivals in the world was truly an honor and a reflection of my hard work and perseverance in my industry. My follow up to “Chiqui”, “Born 2 Lose”, about my experience growing up as an alienated punk rock teenager in the early 2000s Hamptons is currently in it’s festival run and will be screening as part of the 2025 Los Angeles Latino Film Festival.
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?
In my experience, studying your craft, being open to failing and learning to pivot is what has guided me through my career and life. Your vision of the future will almost never pan out the way you want it to and understanding your strengths and weaknesses early on will be very beneficial in the long run. It’s hard to reconcile that when you are young because you want it all right now, but being patient and going with the ebb and flow of life will get you not exactly where you thought you would be but where you should be at that particular moment in time. When I was 20 years old and starting out, an experienced cinematographer told me when I asked him how he got to where he was, he said “If you stick around long enough something will happen for you”. I have never forgotten that.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
As I progress in my career, the biggest challenge has been managing my time and expectations. I have accomplished so much, yet I feel like I am not where I want to be. Being internally empathetic toward yourself and not being so hard on your choices and path is something that I am trying to be better at. Ingmar Bergman once wrote “Being grown up is knowing how to manage your hopes and dreams”. As the clock keeps ticking, being okay with where you are and reminding yourself that you are where you need to be is crucial to managing the existential plight of the finiteness of time. Continuing to be enthusiastic, curious and willing to learn is the best remedy for not only your career but life in general.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carloscardonafilms.com
- Instagram: @carlos.cardona
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
