We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Felix Mack. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Felix below.
Felix, 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.
A long series of misadventures inadvertently prepared me for it. I spent a lot of my younger years hiding from myself and my purpose. The idea of a career was so alien that I pushed it as far away as possible. I lived in a counter culture, outside of society on protest sites. Only through working in the arts did my life finally make sense. Here was something I not only loved, but I could do. I could take all of those difficult feelings and turn them into beautiful things— things that could positively impact others. This was a revelation. It’s a great honor, marrying my passion for positive social change with bold, fun, diverse celebrations of life. It’s a purpose that comes with great responsibility. I only hope that I live up to it. I certainly intend to.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am so tired of watching trans life depicted as some tragedy. Our communities couldn’t be further from that. It’s why I run a platform of queer and trans joy. We focus on bringing camp and colorful stories to the world— stories it needs to see. Through filmmaking, I can make that happen!
I’ve been fortunate to work on a number of projects that are true to my mission statement. My recent experience as UPM on the short film Outage, a sci-fi comedy set in the stunning Mojave Desert, brings together a queer couple (Graham Kolbeins and Emmett Preciado, ABC’s Good Trouble), a bored preteen nephew, and a strange visitor from another world!
I was delighted to be reunited with some of the extraordinary talents I worked with on WILLA JUSTICE: Drag Queen Private Eye. It’s a hilarious short by Jonathan Andre Culliton. We produced it last year with help from the inaugural Out on Film Filmmaker Fund Grant, which is scheduled for an incredible cross-country roll out! I couldn’t be more thrilled.
I’m currently in post-production on my good friend Michael D. Cohen’s comedy short film ‘Roughing It’, featuring Erinn Hayes, (Bill & Ted Face the Music, Grimsburg) and Sophie Giannamore, (Transparent) as a mother and daughter grappling with the outdoors through a series of mishaps which deepens their bond. We are so excited to share it with the world.
I also recently dove into drama, producing Mr. Harris, a short film about power, memory and confronting your past. I’m always on the lookout for new collaborations with creatives who share my goals. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
It’s important to be kind. People recognize kindness. It can be a rarity, and when you’re someone who truly cares about others, they take note. They’ll remember you and recommend you. They’ll want to work with you again, and sing your praises in important rooms. It costs you nothing and goes so much farther than you think.
After that, you have to stay curious. Be open to new perspectives, it’s a blessing. A wild idea that actually works can change the whole direction of a project. It’s always better to ask ‘why’, instead of ‘that’s not how it’s done.’ See where it gets you, you might be surprised.
Thirdly, always remember to have fun. This industry is really hard. The hours are intense and it’s super competitive, so make sure you enjoy yourself when you can.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Honestly? Shout out to Sav Rodgers, who has provided me with so many opportunities. I’m so lucky to call him a mentor and a friend. He’s taught me so much about this wild world we’ve chosen, and consistently modeled good leadership. The work he does with The Transgender Film Centre is so necessary; especially now! And if you haven’t checked out his film Chasing Chasing Amy, you really gotta fix that pronto!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @soccermomzen
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felixmackwrites
Image Credits
Mike Tribble
Morgan Alia Anderson
Max Luque
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