Meet Mon Castro

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mon Castro. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mon, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Having a career where working long hours everyday is more often than not, I can understand the feelings of overwhelmingness and creative blocks. But I try to remember that I am an audience and a fan as well as a creator. There are plenty of things out there that I can run towards whenever I’m in need of inspiration and comfort. And I like to keep myself well informed. I try to watch, read and listen to everything that is out there. Every film, series, theatre play, novel, podcast, comic book, article from the trades and social media. As much as time allows, of course. I like to take a step back and remember where all the passion for my career came from. I cherish it and use it as a motivation.

Besides keeping myself informed of what is happening in my industry, I try to read about all topics having impact in the world. There is so much out there that can trigger memories, longings, desires, even anger and desperation. I use all of these feelings whenever I am writing and developing.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m an award-winning filmmaker. I was born and raised in Mexico City, where I lived until I moved to Los Angeles when I was 23. My career has been my top priority ever since I set myself the goal of being a producer. One would even call myself a workaholic. Nothing in the world can give me the satisfaction I feel when I see one of my projects come to life. I want to be making movies for the rest of my life, and keep finding groups of people to share my passion for it with.

I worked as a freelance filmmaker and as an assistant in Mexico City before moving to the US. Despite having a background more focused in physical production, in my time in Los Angeles I’ve realized that my true passion is development. I also enjoy writing my own screenplays.

I specialize in genre projects. I love all things horror, comedy, and science fiction. I like to look at things through a lens of absurdity and campiness, despite telling stories of important life matters. I believe that there can be a balance in between the two, and even be complementary.
I am also very much into activism. I am a feminist, member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and a big advocate for animal rights.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I would say that they are resilience, patience, and optimism. I am a very anxious person, so it doesn’t always come as easy as just listing the qualities. But I am also aware that progress sometimes happens little by little, and nothing in the world is worth giving up on the career that I want to have.

No matter how stressful work can get, I keep reminding myself that everything always has an end. Every chaotic production hiccup eventually ends. Life continues, and situations that seemed difficult are always able to be overcame. I’d advise people who are early in their journey to cherish every moment, despite difficulty, because it will eventually end and more things will come. As long as we are alive, there will always be another day.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
I have learnt to become more confident about what my gut is telling me and always follow my instincts. There are a few decisions that I regret making in the past because of not listening to myself. I have also learnt how to set boundaries and try to keep myself healthy despite the fast-paced nature of my career. In general, I have learnt to be kinder to myself.

Contact Info:

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.
Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your