We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marcos Justo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marcos below.
Hi Marcos, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
When I was younger, many people around me didn’t understand that I liked scary things. I didn’t fit the mold many adults in my life expected. It caused me trouble with learning and school in general and affected my self-esteem in very bad ways. After my parents rearranged my entire life and surrounded me with people who encouraged me to be myself, everything became much better. I became successful and happy in all areas of my life. I’ve learned that confidence and self-esteem do not come from trying to be what others want me to be. It comes from being true to myself. Other people’s expectations are a result of their own life experiences and not a projection of who I am at all.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I began cosplaying at horror conventions at 8 years old, winning the Best Costume trophy at my first Monsterpalooza in 2019. That same year, I became involved with the Motion Picture FX Company. MPFX is a leading supplier of special effects, prosthetics & make-up to the film industry. They have introduced me to industry leaders who have become my mentors in all aspects of Special Effects and Movie Making. With their guidance, I’ve become a fairly popuar character model and scare actor, with live appearences at special events year round. My personal instagram page lets people follow along with all the fun @thatcreepycoolkid.
MPFX also helped and encouraged me to create my home haunt, “Circus of Nightmares”, complete with a big top, light and sound show, life-size animatronics, and live actors. We are host to thousands of visitors every Halloween season. All of your readers are invited to the Circus too! Follow Circus_of_Nightmares on Instagram for details as we get closer to our 2024 opening.
The Circus has been a huge success and is often featured on Los Angeles area news stations and magazines. I’ve even taken the Circus on the road, exhibiting at conventions and events year round. We just completed our 4th year running the Circus and already have plans in the pipeline for next Halloween.
My main passion, however, is filmmaking. Horror films, of course. I’m inspired by directors like Stanley Kubrick, Tim Burton, Michael Dougherty, and Jordan Peele. I’ve been lucky to land acting roles in horror films while creating my own short films at the same time. I attend New York Film Academy’s youth programs regularly and a few of my films have done very well, earning Film Festival nominations and awards. You can see them all on YouTube at TCCKFilms.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
As a young filmmaker, I’m finding that everything I’m involved in builds experience and knowledge towards my future goals. Acting provides on-set opportunities to observe directors working with their actors and crew. I’m learning Special Effects, Costume & Prop Making skills while creating my cosplay characters and I get Set Design experience with the Circus. My Special Events appearances allow me to expand my network and learn from others more experienced than myself. Through New York Film Academy’s Youth programs, I have access to film on the very same sets used in major blockbuster movies on the backlot at Universal Studios, Hollywood.
Looking back, the three things that have had the biggest impact on my success are without a doubt:
– Learn what you love. As long as I can remember, horror movies have always been my passion. It was never enough to watch them. I immersed myself in them. I learned everything I could about the storylines, costumes, sets, locations, the writers, and directors, everything behind all my favorite movies.
– Collaborate. Don’t wait for someone to give you your “big break”. Surround yourself with people who share your passion and create the future you want. Support others in their goals however you can.
– No limits. Only people who fully believe they can do it do. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are. Believe in yourself completely with no limits. No one who has changed the world fits in a box.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My parents have helped me with so much, from transportation, costumes, PR social media, etc. They are always ready to support my next big idea in any way possible. We make tons of great memories together as a family at the same time. I am very grateful for all the help they provide me with. All in all, I am blessed to have such supportive parents in my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: imdb.me/MarcosJusto
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thatcreepycoolkid
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/thatcreepycoolkid
- Youtube: youtube.com/TCCKFilms
- Other: https://instagram.com/circus_of_nightmares
Image Credits
Headshot and Character Photos by Rawl Paredes
