We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Isabela Campillo Valencia. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Isabela below.
Hi Isabela , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Growing up in Medellin, Colombia, I was immersed in a culture of entrepreneurial spirit and an unwavering drive to achieve our dreams. We had a saying that perfectly embodied our mindset: “ Pa atrás ni pa agarrar impulso”, which translates to “never step back, not even to gain momentum.”
In my family, we were always there to support one another’s aspirations. From a young age, I knew I wanted to become an artist, a world designer. Much of my success and resilience towards my goals can be attributed to the consistent support, love, and motivation that my family has provided.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I believe my journey as an artist is only the beginning, and I am excited about the discoveries, learning, and adventures that lie ahead in my artistic evolution. What I am certain of is my passion for creating immersive storytelling experiences that transport people to parallel realities. My dream is to contribute to the art department of film and television, bringing environments to life through set design. From an early age, I knew that I wanted to convey and express myself through art, I was deeply drawn by the worlds of science fiction and fantasy. Growing up in Colombia, I was constantly surrounded by the enchanting realm of magical realism, which ignited my love for this genre through masterpieces like Guillermo del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth.” I also felt a deep admiration towards the imagination involved in the creation of science fiction environments such as “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Blade Runner.”
Initially, architecture appeared to be a more tangible pursuit as a designer, especially since the film industry in my home country wasn’t as well established yet. Little did I know that architecture would become a stepping stone towards my true calling- set design. I embarked on a journey to New York City to study architecture at Pratt Institute, hoping to immerse myself in a diverse and artistic cultural environment. It was during my time there that I began to see architecture as a means of storytelling.
After completing my architecture degree, I made the bold decision to follow my heart and pursue a career in the film industry. I relocated to Los Angeles, the heart of the entertainment world. Over the past two years, I’ve been fortunate to earn my MFA in Production Design and become a part of the Art Directors Guild Production Design Initiative. I have contributed to various independent films, wearing many hats- from set designing, set dressing, and prop making to storyboarding and production design. With each project, I have been on a journey of self-discovery, constantly working on my skills.
Graduating as an international student during a challenging period in the film industry has been a test of resilience. I’ve chosen to see it as an opportunity for personal growth and skill development. I am devoted to pursuing my dream of becoming a set designer in the motion picture industry.
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?
In my artistic journey I have come to realize that resilience, commitment, and a curious and adventurous mind are some of the most important qualities to have. Over time, I’ve come to understand that solid and unique research forms the foundation of outstanding design. This also includes getting yourself out there and exploring, adventuring new cultures, shapes, textures, colors. I’ve also discovered that consistency has been a vital aspect in my artistic path . I carry a sketchbook with me at all times, I sketch, explore, experiment, and follow tutorials, anything counts even if it sometimes leads to a design that doesn’t quite hit the mark.
On top of all of that, the company we keep plays a huge role in our artistic journey. Surrounding yourself with people you admire, who support and motivate you, can be a game changer, especially when you’re just starting out. Being around those you can learn from is like a wellspring of inspiration. I’ve come to understand that being inspired by others is one of life’s greatest pleasures. And it is important to remember as well that everyone’s path is unique, so your only real competition is with yourself; always aim to be better each day and take it one step at a time.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My biggest area of growth has been undoubtedly in self-belief. Embarking on an artistic adventure thousands of miles away from home is already a leap of faith in oneself. However, genuine self-belief doesn’t always come naturally, and that was certainly the case for me. Living alone, far from my family and friends, taught me a valuable lesson: I needed to become my own best friend, to trust in my abilities, and to believe that I could achieve all my goals. Over the past twelve months, I’ve cultivated this belief, and it has become a driving force behind everything I set my mind to.
While I was never truly alone, with my friends and family, serving as pillars of support in my life, I’ve focused on strengthening the most crucial pillar: belief in my abilities and my goals. I remind myself daily of what I came here to accomplish and seize every opportunity that crosses my path.
Entering the ADG Production Design Mentorship program has been a game-changer opening numerous doors and presenting me with countless opportunities. Many memories from my time with the ADG stand out, but one of the most significant moments was attending the screening of “Barbie”. It gave me the privilege to address Rodrigo Prieto, an incredible Latin American Cinematographer whose work had inspired a large fraction of Latin Americans to explore careers in the film industry. This industry is progressively becoming more international.
During our conversation, Rodrigo and his wife Monica shared valuable advice with me. Their message was clear: never lose sight of who I am and what my dreams are. They encouraged me to relentlessly pursue and achieve all my dreams, to believe in myself, and to never give up.
Contact Info:
- Website: isacampillo.com
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/isabela-campillo-valencia-330a761a2
Image Credits
Roger Torres, Zack Hess, Melissa Valdiviezo, Ana Farré Moutinho, Phateka Malahleha, Rupali Ingle
