Meet José Valle Jr

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful José Valle Jr. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with José below.

José, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

My parents and I left our home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and immigrated to the United States when I was just seven years old. We moved to a small town dab smack in the middle of Republican Utah. We were double minorities: ethnic and religious. It wasn’t all that bad though, growing up where I did gave me the opportunity to have a beautiful cookie cutter childhood, with great friends and great memories. But from a young age I was acutely aware that I was not like everyone else around me…I stood out. I looked differently, believed differently and thought differently.

But as I’ve said time and time again, I was blessed with two fantastic parents, who were the shining examples of resiliency and endurance. Through them I learned that precisely because I stood out, it meant I would have to work harder for the things I wanted. I learned that nothing would come easily but that was ok because the things that were worth it in life required hard work and strife. My parents taught me the value of listening when you needed to listen but also standing your ground when you needed to stand your ground. They made sure I understood as I ventured into my adult life that I would often be the only person that looked like me in most spaces but that didn’t mean I should be afraid to speak out but rather emboldened to do so.

From a young age I faced adversity and discrimination for looking the way that I do and having the name that I have. But also from a young age I decided I would never let that stop me. I have found success in the fields that I am in because I know my worth and I know my value. I let my ideals and morals guide me in the things that I set out to do. I treat others as I would like to be treated and I ensure that when I’m around no one feels like they don’t belong, I promote inclusion and support on my sets, on my projects and in my day to day. I like to think that I have found success not only because I have worked hard and done my homework but also because I’m kind. Because I care about people and they in turn care about me.

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

First and foremost I am an entertainer. I like to think of myself as a bit of an artist and dreamer as well, but entertaining folks has always been my strong suit. Whether it’s through my creative work like my films or my podcasts (Captain’s Log & Max and José Have Something To Say…) or even just telling stories and sharing anecdotes with people at a party. I love to make people laugh, I love capturing the attention of my audience and taking them on a journey with me. That’s what my cohost Mason Shrader and I have set out to do with our podcast Captain’s Log, present stories and topics that most people would be terrified or turned away by but make them entertaining with our improv and comedy. Ensuring that we don’t mislead our audience and still present the truth behind the tales but offer a good time on the journey to the end.

This is also the objective of my film work. I love telling stories about people and the human condition. The issues that are pressing to me and the conversations I believe must be had. Being a first generation Mexican filmmaker means representation is also incredibly important to me. I think it’s high time La Raza is given a seat at the table we’ve helped build. And I like to believe that these objectives and goals are apparent in my work, whether it’s a horror film or a coming of age tale like my thesis film: MARCELO DREAMS OF CHARROS. Which is currently in post-production and centers around a third generation Mexican-American teen who finds himself in the whirlwind of adolescence in search of identity, after learning of the Charro culture of Mexico he latches on to it and seeks to define himself by diving into a culture wholly unknown to him. While both of his parents are second generation, his father is not as supportive as his mother, as he only associates his culture with the trauma of his early life. And thus Marcelo must not only battle to discover his self-identity but also battle to mend an ever deteriorating relationship with his dad.

What I find most exciting about storytelling is that an idea you have can resonate with so many people in ways you can’t possibly fathom. Cinema is the art of storytelling in the highest most grandiose way possible. You literally present your work, your vision on the big screen. But I don’t chase a career in film because I yearn for money and fame, I do it because I yearn to tell the stories that bounce around in my head because I believe they matter and are important and ultimately because I hope they can inspire others. Others, who like myself don’t come from comfort or legacy, who have been told their whole lives they only fit into a certain mold because of their race, culture or nationality to chase their dreams, grab them tight and make them come true.

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

The most important thing to understand is that you never stop learning. Any person who tells you they’ve cracked it or have found the answers is a liar. I am constantly learning new lessons throughout my journey and I am far from reaching my destination. Narrowing it down to three is tough but if I absolutely have to I’d say the following: Be kind, work hard, and dream big.

I know in today’s world there’s this idea that in order to succeed you must be cut throat, the “nice guys finish last” mentality but I wholeheartedly disagree with that. In my experience I have had doors opened, formed meaningful and beneficial connections because I was kind and friendly. Nice guys do not finish last, they start first. Especially in the film industry it is all about networking and forming connections with other like minded individuals. The entertainment industry should not be a cold and callous one. I believe we’d all find better success if we supported and collaborated with one another. That is what I have found works at the current level I’m in and I have no plan on changing that. Films are collaborative endeavors. So be kind, be friendly, be someone people would like to rely on and you will find many doors open to you. No one wants a grouch on set, but they want the guy that makes them laugh, makes them smile, the person who is a pleasure to have around.

I had the pleasure of doing some work early on in my career for the motivational speaker Antonio Neves and I could fill a book with the lessons I learned from him in the short time we spent together but the one thing he said that always stuck with me was, “the ones who succeed are the ones who are willing to put in the work when no one is watching.” I live by that. One thing I like to think people would say about me is that I’m a hard worker. That no matter how trivial or excruciating the task I always do it and I do it well, even if no praise or opportunity will come from it. Perhaps it’s my immigrant father’s work ethic or my immigrant mother’s morals, but I always put in the work, giving it my all, even when no one is around to notice. I know that when I see someone who does the same, that is the person I want on my team, that is the person I want to raise up. Not the one who waits for my attention to impress me but the one who does the work for the sake of doing the work.

Finally, as Jose Hernandez once said, “se vale soñar en grande.” It pays to dream big, it really does. Do not settle for what you have been told is in your limits. Don’t limit your mindset because of your current reality. Dream big, shoot for the stars. Believe in that dream, recite it like a prayer every time things get tough. Wear it as a reminder of what the daily struggle is all for. No one got far on half measures. From a young age I was made aware of the sacrifices others made for me to live a life of opportunity here in the United States and that has always motivated me to never give up and never give in. A whole lot of magic happened for you to be here so don’t waste it, live the dream you seek.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

Man this is something I struggle with so much. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when you’re juggling multiple responsibilities and aspects of your life. As a filmmaker sometimes you reach an obstacle that you can’t see a way around. A roadblock in a script, a hiccup in production, whatever it may be it feels as if you’ll never figure it out. For me what always helps is stepping away, not forever but just for a brief respite. I like to go away, leave the city, get out of town for a bit. I either go home to Utah or I visit my cohost and friend Mason Shrader in Iowa or if time doesn’t permit drive up to Ojai for the day to visit my cousins and just disconnect from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. I listen to the noise of small town life, to the breeze, to the laughter of the people, I live in the moment I find that when I stop thinking of how to solve the issue I often find the answer.

Or the other hand, I take a moment to remind myself why I am doing this. I either pop in a movie or go to the cinema alone and allow myself to be transported elsewhere for two hours. Every time I do this, the inspiration just starts flowing again. I leave the cinema making plans on the car ride home of how to make it over the obstacle, how to solve the issue. I find inspiration to be the best medicine for feeling overwhelmed.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Olivia Clark

Amanda Tran

Nick Conocenti

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Ruby Le Wynn I feel grateful every day that I am doing what I truly

Highlighter Series
Are you walking a path—or wandering?

Tabitha Brown Not all who wander, are lost’ a quote from J.R.R. Tolkien that I

Highlighter Series
Life, Lessons, & Legacies

Emmie Nostitz Not saying ‘yes’. Starting Tivity was one huge exercise in saying yes. And