We were lucky to catch up with Christian Salinas recently and have shared our conversation below.
Christian, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
11 years ago, my production company Enlightenment Era productions was founded by a collective of filmmakers, visual artists, musicians, and actors. I graduated from the nationally renown arts magnet in Dallas, TX Booker T Washington which had one of the greatest film programs in the DFW metroplex. This program led me to establish my vision and style as a filmmaker that allowed me to collaborate with great talent from all clusters of art and entertainment. I wanted the idea of the company itself to represent an era of revolution and progress outside of the restrictive confines of the the film industry, big studios and labels. With each project I’d reinvent the idea of what it meant to be an artist in the modern age. Just like the enlightenment period that came centuries before, which originated from philosophers and artists who challenged the dogmatic norms of faith, science and art.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Christian Salinas. I’m a filmmaker, writer and visual artist. Over the past 11 years I’ve centered my cinematic vision through short films and music videos. Graduated with a Bachelor’s from the film program at Columbia College Chicago and worked in the film industry in LA from 2018-2020. Over the past few years I’ve reassessed what my passions mean to me and how I could reignite my vision within the local Dallas music scene. The dogmas a tried methods of success in Hollywood left me fatigued, uncertain and ultimately disillusioned by conventional ways of thinking. Get a job/side-hustle while you just remain connected and work your way up. Covid didn’t care about that and took no prisoners with what I lost in that difficult time. I felt that there were many artists back home in Dallas that were waiting to be tapped into and shown to the world. So I moved back and shared my passion of art and filmmaking with people who shared my values of humility, dedication, and being unapologetic with their creativity.
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?
First of all, DO NOT pay attention to the film industry, do your own thing with your own people and above all make it your own. I think people highly misunderstand talent with privilege and those who do lose themselves to the illusion, losing sight of their former self and the people who truly matter. I can’t tell you how many people I knew that were talented and easy to relate to at first to only end up as a corporate product, completely divorced from the person they once were. So cherish those who lifted you up.
Another word of advice would be to never be afraid of taking creative risks. There’s a lot of sacrifice that goes into filmmaking that isn’t shown in the limelight. You will challenge your trust with your friends and family, but always keep true to your vision and what you want to create. The world is better off with more people who want to change things rather than support current the status quo. You will be told to get an angel investor, career coach ect. But nobody else knows you more than yourself, so look at each creative project as an investment. The central motto of Enlightenment Era is to tap into your inner power as an artist despite all the traumas you’ve faced and not to sell out to those who don’t hold your best interests at heart. Money is and always will be the biggest obstacle.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
The central idea of my production company is to unlock your inner strength and potential. Your traumas are what build your story and the mythology of your character. Everyone has a vast universe of potential they can unlock within themselves. It’s never too late to pursue something you’re passionate at. I feel like I’ve lived many lives in my lifetime, meaning that no matter who I was whether I was an actor, guitarist, athlete, painter, filmmaker, the struggles and traumas I had to endure to integrate into society never fully killed those parts of me. Enriching and resurrecting those parts of you that you’ve lost is a lifelong journey.
I’d love to be more invested in writing a sci fi graphic novel idea I’ve invested in for about 7 years now. Those 7 years sure did a number on me as it has with everyone that’s lived on this planet. I always mention the saga of The Shaman to anyone in my inner circle. It’s about a tale of a warrior princess on a colonized planet in the near future where her kingdom is destroyed by a human empire. The struggle of escaping and her survival on this chaotic alien dystopia plagued her for years when she could not complete the trials of becoming a Shaman in her ancient society after her kind was destroyed. Humans and native inhabitants of Traxus shared similar reproductive bonds which blurred the lines between human and alien species imbuing some with great strength and telepathic powers. Shamans were scarce on this world, they are a relic of an ancient order, acting as both healers and peacekeepers between humans and the planet natives. Princess Saita seeks to unveil the traumas in others that help her on her journey to unlock their inner potential as well as hers, fulfilling her prophecy as the savior of humanity and the universe…. Never forget the power of your inner potential.
Contact Info:
- Website: Vimeo.com/christiansalinas
- Instagram: csalinas421
- Other: TikTok: csalinas421
Image Credits
Musicians Tito Strange & Keyring
