Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Paloma Quintanal. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Paloma, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
I believe that the fear of staying in the same place has been my driving force to venture into the unknown and take risks. I won’t deny that it has always been very difficult for me to step out of my comfort zone, but that same fear of stagnation has pushed me to take bold steps beyond it. Although I admit that stepping out of my comfort zone has always been a huge challenge for me, I have learned to embrace discomfort as an opportunity to grow. Every time I face uncertainty and the unknown, I discover new facets of myself that I would never have explored otherwise. Although the fear of the unknown often tries to stop me, the prospect of being stuck in a routine propels me forward, to confront challenges with courage and to pursue my dreams with determination. It’s a delicate balance between comfort and risk, but it’s in that tension where I find my deepest growth.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I was born and raised in Mexico City, fortunate to have parents who always supported me in everything. In their own way, they made me believe that I was born into a world where anything is possible, and the only limits are in your head. I believe this greatly shaped my personality and, above all, my character. From a young age, I knew what I wanted and what I didn’t, and as the years went by, I discovered how important it was for me to achieve professional success, my professional success.
I have always been a lover of entertainment, cinema and theater are among my favorite things in the world. From my earliest memories, I would secretly watch Mexican soap operas in the afternoons, much to my parents’ unawareness, of course. I enjoyed putting on theater productions with my friends or cousins and presenting them at family gatherings, Christmas, etc. On Fridays, my friends and I would gather at someone’s house to make movies. We would literally grab a camera and recreate existing films or improvise and tell our own stories. I remember that during adolescence, when Twilight was a thing, it was our go-to remake every time.
I think growing up with so much creative freedom and surrounding myself with people who shared similar interests and encouraged my creativity was undoubtedly key in becoming the person I am today. I discovered my passion for being a producer in the last years of high school when I realized my interest in fields such as business, administration, and project management. Even in my personal life, I behave like a producer, always taking on a leadership role in any given circumstance.
I always explore, find, and implement solutions for every problem using my organizational skills, ability to calculate risk and opportunity, and attention to detail. Combining my passion for entertainment with my control-freak personality, I arrived at the result: a producer. Without a doubt, I wouldn’t be here in Los Angeles, living my passion and sharing this story, if it weren’t for everything I experienced, learned, and grew through in Mexico, both personally and professionally, in the years that followed.
My journey into the world of professional production began when I was 19 years old back in 2015. I was just a third-semester Communication student, and although I was there because I wanted to produce Mexican soap operas, out of curiosity, alongside my university classes, I took a theater production course. As I have always been in love with theater, I was curious to know the behind-the-scenes, how the staging of a play was made possible and all the in-and-outs of the production process. There, one of my classmates was working as a producer for a small theater production, and he invited me and my best friend, who was also taking the course, to work on that play as stage managers. We had zero experience, but saying no was not an option, and we ventured into the unknown. That play was called “Sucia y muy chingona historia de amor” (Dirty Great Love Story), and it truly changed my life. I remember it today as one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The play was much more successful than anyone thought it would be and ran in various theaters in Mexico City for about 5 years. I worked there until mid-2017, and in the meantime, I ventured to produce two plays on my own and worked as a stage manager on two other productions.
In 2017, I had the opportunity to work in Madrid, Spain, for a commercial production company, and without hesitation, I left everything behind and once again ventured into the unknown. I took a semester off from my studies and said goodbye to my years in theater, which I will always carry in my heart. I worked for 6 months as the right-hand person to the CEO of a production company called Aproductions, and that was my first introduction to the world of film production.
After those 6 months, I returned to Mexico to finish my degree, and in the same year, 2018, I started working part-time as a production coordinator for a photo and video production company called Latro Films. At Latro, we produced all kinds of videos, from commercials for major brands like Disney or Business Insider to music festival aftermovies or wedding videos. In 2019, I completed my degree in Communication and became a producer at Latro Films. It was then that I reaffirmed my passion for production and decided I wanted to take it to the next level.
In 2021, I started my master’s in film and television production at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. While studying, doors opened for me to work with Black Valley Films under the mentorship of Oscar-nominated documentarian Scott Hamilton Kennedy. Following my graduation in 2023, I joined a renowned Academy Award-winning film director as a creative executive and production coordinator.
Simultaneously, I ventured into the film festival circuit with two shorts that I produced: a documentary titled “The Party is in the Kitchen” directed by Laura Medeiros, and a dramedy short film called “Have you ever wanted to kill somebody?” directed by Sebastian Berenguer.
Several exciting changes are on the horizon in my professional career, which I am thrilled about, and I will gradually share more details. But for now, you know what they say: “Don’t tell anyone what you’re doing until it’s done”.
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?
Well, if I had to distill it down, I’d say the top three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that I believe are absolutely crucial would have to be these:
Firstly, being a good person and having empathy. It’s foundational. In both personal and professional realms, there’s immense power in genuine kindness and understanding. Empathy isn’t just a soft skill, it’s the bedrock of meaningful connections and fruitful collaborations.
Next, I’d stress the importance of not hesitating to advocate for your beliefs. Particularly in the early stages of any endeavor, it’s crucial to have the courage to speak up for what you believe in. Your voice carries weight, and it’s vital to assert it, even if your perspective isn’t the popular one. Authenticity and integrity go a long way in establishing credibility and respect.
Lastly, letting go of the need for external validation is paramount. We often get caught up in worrying about how others perceive us, but ultimately, it’s your life and your journey. Living authentically, true to yourself, is what truly matters. Freeing yourself from the burden of others’ opinions allows you to chart your own course confidently.
So, there you have it. Kindness and empathy, the courage to stand by your beliefs, and liberating yourself from the opinions of others. Three pillars that can guide you toward success and fulfillment.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I am a very anxious person who easily gets stressed out, so I’ve become quite adept at managing it and trying to disconnect when necessary.
I know it might sound a bit silly, but something that has worked wonders for me is having a schedule and allocating half an hour or an hour for “worry time”. During this designated time, I allow myself to focus on the things that are troubling me and actively seek solutions. Often, we find ourselves overwhelmed by things that have simple solutions, yet we spend a lot of time ruminating over them, which ultimately drains us. I’ve made it a habit to either find solutions to my concerns or, if I know they cannot be resolved, to simply let them go and accept things as they are.
Of course, the above is an ideal scenario, but let’s be honest, life doesn’t always allow us to have everything under control. So when I feel like I’m about to explode, I do anything to break that cycle and disconnect from that feeling. For example, going for a walk, watching a series or movie, talking on the phone with a friend, or browsing Instagram. None of these are solutions per se, but sometimes, all it takes for things to start working again is a momentary disconnection. The idea is to break away from whatever is weighing you down and causing you distress, often just a brief interruption is all that’s needed.
Over the years, I’ve learned that self-care isn’t always about actively solving problems, sometimes it’s about giving yourself the space to breathe and recharge. Engaging in activities that bring joy or simply offer a break from the stress can be just as valuable. Whether it’s immersing yourself in a hobby, spending quality time with loved ones, or indulging in a favorite treat, these moments of respite are crucial for maintaining mental well-being.
I think that managing anxiety is an ongoing journey, and what works for one person may not work for another. It’s about finding what strategies resonate with you and incorporating them into your daily life. By prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, and seeking support when necessary, you can navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience and peace of mind.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paloma_qe/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/paloma-quintanal-897b10120
