Meet Daniela Lugo

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Daniela Lugo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Daniela, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I’ve always been a creative person, finding fascination and curiosity in everything I liked since I was a child. However, as I grew older, I realized that my creativity was slowly fading. As an actress and filmmaker, creativity is a fundamental pillar of my work, and I feared becoming more rational and less creative. So, I set out to find a solution.

I began watching different movies every week, exploring the work of various directors and genres, not just big Hollywood names but also independent films, to understand their work and style. I wanted to discover their sources of inspiration for making those films. Additionally, I started attending theater performances more frequently, from low-budget productions to Broadway-level shows. This helped me admire the plays and the actors, the background of each action, the set design, and to pay more attention to the details. This exposure to diverse forms of art undoubtedly helped, and it inspired me to observe the world and my surroundings carefully, finding fascination in new things.

Every person in the world has a unique story, and I love observing how something as simple as their outfit can tell that story. It’s not just people; even an old piece of furniture from the 1800s has a story to tell—who it might have belonged to, where it was made, etc. This practice of paying attention to details and maintaining constant curiosity has helped me keep my creativity alive and inspires me in my daily work. Whether it’s writing a script with my colleagues, creating a character, or being more open to new ideas, this approach fuels my creativity.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Daniela Lugo, and I am an actress, filmmaker, and founder of Lugo Films. Born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico, I began studying acting, film, singing, and dancing at a very young age. In 2016, while working on the Oscar-winning film “Roma” directed by the incredible Alfonso Cuarón, I discovered my passion for filmmaking.

At 18, I moved to New York to pursue my career in acting and film, studying at prestigious institutions such as The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (Class of 2022), Stella Adler (Class of 2019), Broadway Dance Center (ISVP), and Steps on Broadway. I’ve had the privilege of performing at the iconic Carnegie Hall in New York City and the beautiful Bellas Artes in Mexico City.

I’ve been active in producing short films both in my home country and the United States. Currently, I reside in Los Angeles, California, where I’ve shared the screen with many Hollywood stars. My career has also included various roles in theater, television, and the film industry. Since 2022, my filmmaking career has grown significantly, leading me to produce numerous projects in the USA, expand to my home country Mexico in 2023, and plan for further productions in Spain in 2025.

This growth inspired me to create Lugo Films, a production company dedicated to telling Latino stories and increasing representation around the world. We have three major projects coming in 2025, and I can’t wait to share them with all of you.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Keeping the passion for my art alive: In these times, being an artist and making a living from it is a great challenge. Many have had to abandon their dreams or put them on hold due to the pandemic and other difficulties. This seems unfair to me, as everyone should have the opportunity to pursue their passions. Despite discouraging comments, I decided not to give up and founded my production company, Lugo Films. Exploring my curiosity and intrigue rescued me from dark times and inspired me to create new stories and characters.

2. Perseverance and dealing with rejection: As an actress, I encounter rejection nearly every day. Rather than letting it discourage me when I don’t land a project, it’s crucial not to take it personally and continuously strive to improve for future castings. It’s always essential to take note of areas where you can improve—whether it’s mastering different accents, practicing a sport, learning a new dance style, or any other skill that might be relevant to your dream role. You never know when a specific skill set might be exactly what a casting director is looking for. For instance, imagine you spend three years learning to play basketball, and then a major network is casting for a role that requires basketball skills and matches your physical appearance perfectly. As I mentioned, staying open to learning new things every day and embracing rejection are key aspects of this journey.

3. Networking: I know many artists and filmmakers tire of this word, and I understand why. Since moving to the United States, I’ve become more introverted, but I’ve learned that networking is essential. Whether attending film festivals, in-person or virtual events, meeting people with similar interests has been crucial for collaborating on projects. Many of my opportunities have arisen from connections made at networking events. My advice is to remain open to new connections; you never know when someone you’ve met might need your talent in the future.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

It has been a very difficult year for the film industry in Los Angeles, and personally, I have faced challenges in maintaining the level of work I used to have. In response to this situation, I adopted a philosophy that has been fundamental since then: if there are no opportunities for you, why not create those opportunities yourself? This has been my greatest lesson learned.

Initially, my dream was to be exclusively an actress. However, as my career evolved, I discovered a deep fascination for cinema and storytelling, as mentioned earlier. It was then that I decided to write and develop my own projects, both behind and in front of the camera. This experience allowed me to understand how the world of film festivals operates and to solidify my career as a filmmaker.

Lugo Films, my production company, emerged from my desire to explore beyond acting. I asked myself: what happens if I write a story and bring it to the big screen? Although my first project had a very tight budget and faced several challenges, it marked the beginning of a path of continuous growth and learning. This initial experience inspired me to keep improving and growing. Since last year, Lugo Films has experienced considerable growth thanks to my firm belief in moving forward.

My advice to those who are curious about something is to explore that curiosity and take risks. The worst that can happen is that you have to turn the page, but at least you will have taken the initiative and ventured into new territories.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.danielalugoactress.com
• Instagram: @daniela_lugo_mtz
• Other: LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/danielalugo

  IMDB: imdb.me/DanielaLugo

Image Credits

LUGO FILMS – DANIELA LUGO
THE MARCH OF THE PENGUINS PREMIERE – ANDREA TORRES
APPLE TV – APPLE TV EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER
NETFLIX – NETFLIX EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER
EMMY AWARDS NATAS 2024 – EMMY AWARDS EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER
THE MARCH OF THE PENGUINS STILL – JONATHAN BRAD
POSADA BTS – BTS PHOTOGRAPHER
THE MARCH OF THE PENGUINS BTS – ALEJANDRA ZAMORA
INDIE X FILM FESTIVAL 2024 – FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHER