Meet Liam Garcia

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

Hi Liam, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

My purpose found me.

It all started with my first college class, English 1102, during my senior year of high school at Augusta University. At first, I struggled with the workload and expectations of college, often staying up late to catch up. Despite the challenge, I found myself radicalized by the end of the semester, thanks to Professor Guirdex Massè. His passion for the Earth was contagious. Every poem, essay, short story, and book we read in that class was centered on climate change.

One pivotal moment came when we watched the movie, Snowpiercer, directed by Bong Joon-ho. The film is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity survives on a train after a failed attempt to mitigate climate change. Its message struck me deeply, making me see the urgency of climate change in a way I never had before. More importantly, it showed me the profound impact of storytelling though movies.

Fictional narrative movies are a dramatization or commentary of someone or something in our current world. It was truly this that got me to understand that climate change is a huge issue and its effects are nearing an irreversible point.

After my first semester as a college student at Kennesaw State University, I knew I wanted to create that same impact that my professor had on me. I declared a major in Media and Entertainment and a minor in Professional Writing, determined to learn how to harness narrative media as a tool for environmental activism.

Since then, I’ve been on a mission to carve out a name for myself in the narrative media space, using storytelling to inspire change and advocate for our planet and the people on it as well.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I wouldn’t be nearly the person I am today without the unconditional support I have received from my family and friends. Going into a creative field has so many risks and I would not have seen the rewards and benefits it has without having people to encourage me and cheer me on.

As a cinematographer and activist, I truly believe in the power of meaningful stories and beautiful imagery. My work focuses on crafting media that inspires reflection and action and I strive to highlight social and environmental issues. Whether through film, writing, or other forms of media, I aim to create narratives that are engaging and thought-provoking. This is what excites me most about working in the film industry. Films have the unique ability to connect to people by sparking empathy and awareness in a way that other mediums often can’t.

Professionally, I’m relentlessly working on expanding my creative portfolio with Brian Pilling at RedLight Studio ATL. Brian Pilling has always believed in my success and I cannot thank him enough for it. I use my time with Brian to bridge the gap between art and advocacy.

Personally, I am working on branding myself through content creation on social media and am in the works of starting my own company.

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

Consistency

Consistent practice is the foundation of growth in any field. Early on, I made it a priority to continually work on myself, even if it is just for personal projects or experiments. Everything I’ve created, whether big or small, has taught me something valuable about my style, my strengths, and the areas I needed to improve. Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity or project to start creating. Treat every chance to practice as an opportunity to refine your skills and build confidence. Over time, those small steps add up.

Marketing Yourself

Marketing yourself is one of the most important things you can do early in your journey. It’s easy to feel lost and out of place in an oversaturated market where so many people are chasing similar goals. The best advice I can give is to learn how to confidently articulate and showcase who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and the unique value you bring to the table. For me, spending weeks perfecting my portfolio website and video reel paid off tremendously. It gave me a tangible way to showcase my work and skillset. This helped me land more jobs and continue to expand my abilities. Invest time in creating a professional portfolio, whether that’s a website, a reel, or a curated collection of your best work, and practice pitching yourself until it feels natural.

Collaboration

Relationships are a key part of success. Networking isn’t just about meeting people, it’s about building genuine connections. Collaborating with others has introduced me to new perspectives, skills, and opportunities that I wouldn’t have discovered on my own. Be proactive in reaching out to people who you can learn from- which is really anybody! Attend events, engage with others, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer help. Authenticity and mutual support goes a long way.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

My biggest challenge right now is figuring out how to balance my ambition with those moments where I feel stuck or stagnant. I have these big goals I want to chase, and I can see the potential for where I want to be, but sometimes it feels like I’m standing still. It’s not that I don’t want to work hard, it’s more that the gap between where I am and where I want to be can feel overwhelming, and that makes it harder to keep going.

This is tough because I’ve always been someone who values growth and progress. When I’m not moving forward as quickly as I’d like, it’s frustrating, and I start questioning whether I’m doing enough or if I’m on the right path. My ambition drives me, but on the other hand, it can make me hyper-aware of any slow periods or setbacks. I get into this cycle where I’m overthinking or putting too much pressure on myself.

I’ve started focusing on the small wins. Instead of only looking at the big picture and feeling overwhelmed by how far I still have to go, I’m breaking my goals into smaller steps. I’ve found that even tiny bits of progress helps build momentum and reminds me that forward is forward. I’m also learning to be more patient with myself. There’s this pressure to always be productive or constantly moving, but I’m starting to realize that rest and reflection are a part of the process, too. I’ve been trying to surround myself with people who push me in a good way and I’ve been taking time to reset by doing things I enjoy outside of work or goals. This helps me recharge and come back to my goals with a clear mind instead of burning out or getting stuck in the same patterns.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Christian Fulks
Bill Daniels
Piper Hill
Quincy Ray Barham
Sean VanWickle
Abbey Fielder

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