We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tony Olmos a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tony, so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever head any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?
When faced with creativity blocks, I’ve developed a repertoire of strategies to navigate through them. Firstly, I’ve come to appreciate the power of taking breaks and engaging in activities that are entirely unrelated to filmmaking. Whether it’s going for a walk, indulging in a hobby, or simply stepping away from the screen for a while, these moments of mental detachment often lead to unexpected bursts of inspiration. Additionally, I’ve learned to embrace the art of shifting focus. When I find myself stuck on a particular aspect of the project, such as writing dialogue or crafting a scene, I’ll redirect my attention to other things, like writing music or drawing concept art. This not only gives my mind a break but also allows me to approach the problem from a different angle. Collaboration with friends has proven to be another effective antidote to creativity blocks. Deadlines serve as powerful motivators in my creative process. The looming pressure of a due date pushes me to dig deep, problem-solve, and generate fresh ideas within a constrained timeframe.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I wear many hats in the indie filmmaking world. I’ve had the pleasure of bringing to life three feature films, including “South of 8” (2016), “Continuance” (2021), and “Hemet; or the Landlady Don’t Drink Tea” (2023), each with its own unique story and style. Alongside these feature films, I’ve also worked on several award-winning short films. What sets my work apart is its ability to interest audiences with compelling narratives, authentic characters, and immersive visual storytelling. I strive to create movies that resonate emotionally and intellectually, whether it’s through exploring complex human relationships, controversial themes, or simply providing pure entertainment.
One of the most exciting aspects of my work is the journey of creating these stories in collaboration with a lot of hard working people. From the initial spark of an idea to the final cut of the film, I thrive on the collaborative process, working closely with talented actors, crew members, to bring each project to life.
As for what’s new, “Hemet” recently made waves at the Oceanside International Film Festival, where it received three nominations, including Best Editing, Best Lead Actor, and Best Screenplay. With “Continuance” and “Hemet” gearing up for distribution, I’m excited to share these films with audiences worldwide.
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?
* Resilience: Embrace failure as part of learning and use setbacks as opportunities to grow. * Adaptability: Stay curious, learn new techniques, and be willing to explore different approaches to storytelling.
* Collaboration: Value teamwork, communicate effectively, and create a supportive environment for your collaborators.
For new filmmakers: Focus on developing these qualities, embrace challenges. Learn to do as much as possible on your own. Learn camera work, editing, lighting and set building.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
In the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been in delegating tasks and trusting others to handle aspects of filmmaking that I used to oversee myself. By designating work such as writing, camera operating, and editing to capable team members, I’ve been able to focus more on developing stories, directing, and bringing my creative vision to life. This shift has allowed me to streamline my workflow. As a result, I’ve seen significant growth in my ability to lead and manage projects, as well as in my capacity to communicate my creative ideas.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichi_the_scratcher?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tony.olmos.10?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Daniel N. Butler, Greg Nickel, Jeanette Dipinza
