Meet Vega Montañez

We were lucky to catch up with Vega Montañez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Vega, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Constant communication to remind everyone that we are all people is essential. I’m a strong advocate for creating more spaces and opportunities for people who look like me. However, when I’m the only one, my goal is to make it unnoticeable. It’s not that I want to go unnoticed, but rather that I want to be so exceptional that even the most prejudiced person in the room forgets that I’m different. As someone who has never been afraid to speak up, it might be a little easier for me than for most. I wish I could provide concrete advice on how to make your presence felt, but it varies case by case and room by room. The most significant encouragement I can offer is to always be proud of who you are. Sometimes, just the radiant positive energy flowing from your excitement about being in the room is enough.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I have the privilege of making incredible stories come to life on screen. Through the magic of movie making, I can share experiences of people with people who may never arrive in those places. To date I have been writer/director for four feature films, producer on over a dozen film and television projects. Currently you can watch my first film, The Hurt We Share, on Tubi and I have two more films releasing this year on various platforms.

The first is an action crime noir film called “Nico” , about a detective trying to solve the murder of a young boy in his neighborhood. The second is “The Burden of Nine Lives” which is an action drama with romance elements.

Both stories, I believe, give unique viewpoint into the turmoils of impoverished communities regardless of racial identity.

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 think the three qualities or skills that have been most effective for me have been community building, creative budget management, and detailed effective planning. Of these, I think for this particular career, the most important is community building. It’s a step deeper than networking in which you take the people you’ve met and introduce them to each other as a way to solid the connections you share while increasing access to resources for all. As your community grows, you find challenges disappearing because you now have access to people and tools you didn’t before. It takes a village to raise a child and every movie is like a new born baby.

In the world of filmmaking, for instance, having a strong community can mean the difference between a project stalling due to a lack of resources and a project flourishing because of the collective effort and support of your network. Whether it’s finding the perfect location, securing the right talent, or obtaining funding, a well-established community can provide the necessary support to overcome these hurdles.

Creative budget management is another essential skill, particularly in an industry where resources can often be limited. It involves making the most out of what you have, finding innovative solutions to stretch your budget without compromising the quality of your work. This skill is invaluable, especially when working on independent films or smaller projects where every dollar counts.

Finally, detailed and effective planning is the backbone of any successful endeavor. In filmmaking, this means meticulous pre-production work, from scripting and storyboarding to scheduling and logistics. Effective planning ensures that the entire team is on the same page, which helps to avoid costly delays and ensures that the project runs smoothly.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Doubling down on my previous answer, I’m always looking for great people to join our community. Ideal people for our community first and foremost have to be community driven, of course. This means I love and prefer working with individuals who prioritize the needs of the group over their own needs, without compromising their own boundaries and limits. To be super clear, and safe, I’m not looking for anyone to do free work. I want to fill my community with people who bring value to the table and want to grow together as our incomes scale and we get to make more and more amazing content.

When it comes to specific roles, I often say that making a movie is a lot like building a city, and this extends beyond just the script. On set, we need a wide range of skills and expertise, similar to what you would find in a major city. We need medics, electricians, catering services, costume designers, and construction workers, to name a few, in addition to the more obvious roles like camera operators and sound technicians.

For those who are interested in joining us, I am particularly looking for individuals who have a passion for their craft and a strong sense of community. People who are excited about the prospect of growing together and contributing to a shared vision are exactly who we need. If you are reading this and feel that you align with our values and goals, I would love to connect with you. Let’s build something amazing together!

Good Energy always wins.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.whatupvega.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatupvega