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Mindset Artistry
Breaking Barriers in Film with George Gomez, FMLA
What does it take to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the entertainment industry while staying true to your cultural roots and creative vision? In this captivating conversation, writer-filmmaker George Gomez reveals the unexpected journey that began with his graduation from film school during the 2020 pandemic shutdown and led to work with major studios like Netflix, Hulu, and NBC Universal.
With remarkable candor, George shares how his Mexican-American heritage and indigenous roots from the Yucatan peninsula have shaped his storytelling approach and creative philosophy. "There are layers within those layers," he explains, discussing how the rich diversity within broader cultural categories often goes unrecognized in mainstream media. His work with New Filmmakers LA (NFMLA) now focuses on amplifying these overlooked voices and perspectives.
The most powerful moments come when George addresses the mental challenges faced by creatives—from comparison and imposter syndrome to handling rejection. "Comparison is the thief of joy," he reminds us, offering practical advice for maintaining creative balance through journaling, hobbies, and simply giving yourself grace. His insights on patience and sacrifice ring especially true: "Sometimes certain circumstances might suck...but the fact that you're doing it is an achievement in itself."
Whether discussing the profound impact of documentary filmmaking, the importance of embracing other cultures, or the balance between authenticity and growth, George delivers wisdom that transcends the entertainment industry. His thoughtful reflections on finding your voice amid the noise of Hollywood remind us that success isn't measured by timeline, but by staying true to your unique perspective and cultural heritage.
Dive into this episode to discover why your story matters, how to protect your creative vision while still evolving, and practical pathways to connect with organizations like NFMLA that can help bring your authentic voice to audiences hungry for fresh perspectives.
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This is the Mindset Artistry Podcast. I'm Amanda DeBraux, an actor or actress per your reference and an inner voice life coach, and
Amanda DeBraux:I'm Janel Koloski Koloski, an actor and career and mindset coach.
Janel Koloski :your hosts and we're here to flip your mindset, to teach you the artistry of what we learned, to keep your mind in check.
Amanda DeBraux:Over the course of our lives, we've taken on the journey of healing, living and being authentically ourselves as we successfully built our individual careers in the entertainment industry.
Janel Koloski :This podcast is designed for you, so you can discover your goals and courageously reach them at your highest potential, while being a hundred and thousand percent yourself.
Amanda DeBraux:What you'll get from us is real dirty and okay, a little more like a lot of quirky, along with special elite guests that nurture empathy and create a safe space without judgment. So get ready to build a mindset that is unapologetically you and excel beyond the stars. Welcome to the Mindset Artistry Podcast.
Janel Koloski :That's good.
Amanda DeBraux:Welcome back to another episode of Mindset Artistry.
Amanda DeBraux:I am Amanda Dupois, your co-host, and on the other side we have the amazing Janelle Kulosky, the other co-host, career mindset coach you always crack me up when you say you're like, oh me, yes, I know, and today we have an amazing guest, so let's just dive right in.
Amanda DeBraux:So today we have a Southern California native, george Gomez, a Mexican-American with indigenous roots, writer, filmmaker, who has always been passionate about the arts, even as a child. He graduated from California State University, los Angeles, in 2020 with a BA degree in television, film and media studies, and in the years since then, he has been involved in filmmaking process in numerous departments and has worked on projects for companies such as NBC, universal, hulu, netflix and Amazon Prime Video. He has honed his skills in departments such as casting talent, post-production, production management, camera and so, so, so much more. And not to mention, he works with New Filmmakers, la, and I'm so excited to have you here. So, yes, a round of applause. Thank you for coming on. This is a long-awaited interview, as I met you back in, I believe, october of last year at the American Film Convention.
George Gomez:Yes, yes, that's so long ago. Oh my gosh, I can't believe we're already in 2025. And that was 2024. The year has been flown by, but thank you for having me, amanda, thank you for having me, janelle. I really appreciate it. Like Amanda was saying, you know good to just to be here, finally get to be on the podcast. I, you know my first time being on a, an official podcast, to be quite honest, we feel honored.
Amanda DeBraux:We'll ease this journey because this is going to be a full, good conversation and you get to share your stories. Let's get into it. So, obviously, we are actors and creatives and you understand this journey. So tell me a little bit about how this journey has gone for you since you've graduated. I know graduating in 2020 must have been quite an insane experience, and what did you learn from that as you progress throughout your career?
Amanda DeBraux:Yeah, I mean I always add that in the bio just so people can know right off the bat, like you said, the predicament we were all in during that time being, like not only, obviously, being a film student everyone knows like, okay, how am I supposed to break in? You know what are the things to do, what are the pathways to get into. But, you know, being that it was 2020, like so many things were just completely different. Everything was online, no one was working, not even just like in terms of people who graduated film school, but like, after once I got into the industry, how many people were telling me like, hey, during 2020, I was like doing like Uber, I was doing DoorDash, I was doing, you know, not working at all.
Amanda DeBraux:So I guess, you know, just to kind of start off on my journey, it started a little bit, you know, on the cliche saying of like off on my journey. It started a little bit, you know, on the cliche uh saying of, like you know it is who, based off who? You know it was such a weird thing. It was a friend of a cousin, a friend's cousin's friend. So like it was this weird connection where they just kind of, you know they uh, a show was specifically, the voice had an opening for position, um, specifically in the post department, and you know they offered it to me and ever since then I was kind of like feet on the ground, sprinting going to the next job, um, one after the other. Uh, so it's, it's an interesting journey. It is I don't think I can be.
Amanda DeBraux:Many people say, you know, to complete, and so I was telling this with Janelle, we had a little short conversation a couple weeks ago where you know, just being patient and you know, don't kind of get into the idea that you have to do everything right away or you have to jump into what you want to do right away um, they're being patient with yourself and being patient with the industry. Just in general, it changes so much. You can find so many different people saying that you know their journeys have changed. They start off doing one thing but they ended up doing this, or just like the trends of the industry as well just kind of change all the time. They fluctuate, um, so, so you know, I think in terms of a career, it's just very interesting. You know, I think that's just like quickly, like my journey and how I got started. It was a little tangent on the side.
Amanda DeBraux:No, I love that.
Amanda DeBraux:I think that's amazing, specifically you starting in a place where things were so unpredictable. I mean this career. Already just being in this industry is very unpredictable. We don't know when the next job's going to come. Things change overnight. We had so many things happen between 2020 and 2025. So what have you held onto, or a mindset, or even a thought that has kept you grounded throughout this industry and navigating, I guess, hollywood and filmmaking, and going from gig to gig and job to job, until you've landed, you know, with new filmmaking LA.
George Gomez:Yeah, I think the idea that you know sometimes sacrifice is necessary. You know, at the end of the day, that it's similar in the similar vein of being patient. Just you know you have an ultimate angle and you maybe obviously have a plan to do that end goal. You know, let's say, for example, I want to create a feature. You know that's my ultimate end goal. I have this story that I really want to. I have written down, I want to get it out there. Just being patient in the sense of and sacrificing where that it might not happen right away, it might not happen immediately, you might not have the tools, you know, maybe in terms of the skill set, it might be the funding, and it might be where things are going on in your personal life where you can't, you know, dedicate that time to create that project. Just being patient with yourself and really just you know, like I said, understanding that sacrifice sometimes is necessary to do what you want to do. And this can be applied kind of like not only, obviously, in the creative entertainment space, but just in general, like life schools and, I should say, life goals. You know, whether it's like I want to become a lawyer or I'm trying to get that medical degree. You know, understanding that maybe sacrifice in the sense of may not be able to see friends as much, might not be. How have time for my personal hobbies? Um, so many different things kind of require sacrifice and I think, especially in the creative space, people tend to forget that, like I mentioned earlier, people kind of have this idea where, um, things are supposed to happen immediately.
George Gomez:You know, and there's plenty of stories where that's true. You know, like, there is that, uh, that story about what is it? Steven spielberg? He made Jaws when he was 26. And I can't imagine, like you know, creating a feature like an impactful project like that that lasts through generations at 26. But then there are other, you know, not necessarily stories but other antidotes of other people in the industry where they get to start at 56 or, you know, in their 70s or their late 40s or 30s or whatever the case may be.
George Gomez:So everyone's journey is a little bit different and so, like I said, understanding the patience is key, understanding that sacrifice may be asked of you, you know that's. I think that's important to take into consideration. You know, not only have I seen that directly in my journey, you know, as like a freelancer before I was at before we came at new filmmakers Los Angeles. But even we hear that story now in our organization we deal with so many independent. You know creators in the space, writers, directors, even below the line positions, and they say the same thing. You know, like hey, I'm working on this short film but I'm also working full time at this other place. Or like hey, I'm working on three different projects. Like I'm producing for this one but I'm also DPing for this other project. Or same thing. You know we hear so many stories such as that and I know so many people who are like that now, and I'm sure you and Janelle and Amanda as well know so many people are juggling six different things at once.
Amanda DeBraux:We both are. We both are juggling all the types of businesses.
Janel Koloski :We are, and I think it's definitely the multi-affinite creative is what amazes me the triple quadruple threat. But now not everybody is signed to a contract with one Hollywood studio and I think there was a little bit of a stigma around that. So you can't be serious about acting and also be creative in other ways, no way. So, George, I love advice you have for our listeners about how to find that balance and I love the you brought up. You could get a 26 or 56, the success and kind of encouraging yourself that way. But how should these filmmakers take care of themselves and find the balance for their life?
George Gomez:yeah, I mean definitely I. I struggle with this, so I'm I'm speaking to the choir, I'm also speaking to myself in this sense as well. It's just, you know, finding what you love at the end of the day and finding something that relaxes you definitely. Um, hobbies are a great thing. I mean, personally, as a creative in the space, I love kind of all forms of media entertainment. So, of course, you know, when I need to get away from everything and like, when I'm like focusing on a project and I can't, like, you know whatever, I'm stuck, I'm writing something and I'm stuck on a line or a page, I just like, let me go do something else. Let me just watch a great film, you know. Or let me just consume, let me read a book, or, you know, it's always great to see what other people want and how they got their ideas out. I think that's a great way to kind of deal with your own kind of necessarily writer's block, because obviously, you know, not everyone's a writer, but this block that you might have of like creative energy that you're having trouble to get out. Definitely looking at other people, looking at other people's works, definitely just hobbies in general, I love just, you know, going for a walk. To be quite honest, it's cliche that sounds, people underrate walking or maybe maybe overrate at this point, but walking is such a good way just to clear your mind, just to really see what's going on out there in general. You know I obviously, you know, not everyone has like a walkable neighborhood, as they say. But just being out there, even just like you know I obviously you know not everyone has like a walkable neighborhood, as they say but just being out there, even just like you know, going to a high school track and going a couple laps on the, you know the track and field walk could really do help. And you know there's so many science like articles about, oh, walking is so beneficial. So also keep in mind, you know, but definitely just keep keeping hobbies.
George Gomez:And, like you know, I guess I just enjoy the other parts of the entertainment space that you want to do. You know, I'm sure yourselves you know, love going to see a movie or go see a play or, like I said, reading a book. Personally, like I said myself, I love playing video games. So that's another way for me to myself, to de-stress and, like, get my mind off of, like what is going on in the industry, in the world or whatever the case may be. I think that's, I think it's a great way, I think it's the most like basic advice you could give someone and of course there are other, like you know, really kind of mantras you should give yourself. And just also to remember to kind of give yourself grace, and you know, in the sense of I like to do is I like to write down stuff.
George Gomez:Journaling is also a great way to just, you know, get your thing mind off things, and it doesn't have to be, you know, super formal, it doesn't have to be, you know, dear diary. This happened on this day. You know, in this section I've met so many people. They, you know, they journal through other means, like I. You know remember a conversation I had with someone and they write down poems as like a way to like journal, you know, to get some things out for that day, and it was very interesting to think about in the sense of like, oh, like it's so, like I said, unrestricted in terms of that, to get your ideas out, versus, like you know, it has to be like. This is what I did today. This is how I feel, and that in itself can feel restrictive. So I completely understand that. I think that's what would be my advice to people.
George Gomez:Just, you know, exercise writing is always great, and just you know, finding something that you love or love to do. You know you mentioned, janelle, something about the multi-half in it. You know, being like a creative in so many different places, so many different spaces. I think people, especially in this LA culture, or like the New York culture of, like you know, everyone has to have the side hustle and as much as true as that is, it's also a great, you know, a great thing just to take a step back and, just, you know, relax. You know, enjoy something.
George Gomez:Sometimes you don't have to look at things so critically, like I said, whether it's like a movie, whether it's a book, whether it's just like running or walking, you know we're, we're so quick to, I would say, like, put ourselves in competition of everything, make everything a competition. You know, whether it's like I want to get to that body or I want to make that project, or I want to, like you know, get this idea across, you know we have to like, just like, calm down and be like. You know, like it's okay to enjoy things. It's okay to just like I love, like this. I'm just doing that it doesn't have to be so deep and, like you know, like it's like critical yeah, well, it feels and sounds like basic, but it's not it.
Amanda DeBraux:We do need a basic foundation from which to build from, and the only way to understand ourselves as creatives and give ourselves the freedom of expression and storytelling is we got to ground with ourselves. We have got to connect with our inner truth and, like you said, gaming is great as an outlet as well as an outlet of expression, as an outlet of just release and exciting. And like what story could I tell? You know you talked about basic, like walking. Walking, that is, our bodies moving, tap into what we need, tap into what we want for ourselves, because this career is ever changing, this career is ever going, as you know, and so I appreciate you sharing that.
Amanda DeBraux:You know I do want to go a bit, take a step back. You know you being a Mexican American and having indigenous roots. What has that taught you about storytelling and how important is that to your work and sharing that with you? Know the new filmmakers, la, because there is so, with the monthly projects they have going on and the showings and the interviews, like, tell me a bit more about that impact and how that has transitioned into all the other work that you're doing.
George Gomez:Yeah, I mean just like a little bit of like context and background is just so, um, from my mother's side, my maternal side, they um, were full-blooded um from the peninsula of Yucatan.
George Gomez:So in Mexico, the peninsula, where also a lot of them from that mother side, they spoke a lot of Mayan, you know, that was like the indigenous language, and so they're indigenous roots and so that's where my roots come from and that's why I kind of always acknowledge that, even though maybe phonetically I should say, my phenotypes don't, you know, come out that way. It's something that I always keep in the back of my mind, because I have pictures of my grandparents and they look, you know, completely indigenous compared to you know, some of my siblings were a little bit more taller, a little bit more fair-skinned, but you know, it's important because I think there are so many layers and you can look at it ethnically in terms of, like, you know, being Latin and Hispanic, but you can think of it in the other, you know, ethnicity, where there are so many intrinsic layers, even within those ethnicities there are, you know, to quote Shrek no, there are layers. No, there are more layers within those layers.
George Gomez:You know, for example, you know, I remember growing up, growing up being in Southern California. I grew up a lot around a lot of Hispanics, a lot of latin people, but also around a lot of asian american people. So, like I said, identifying the, the, the, the differences between those two, I remember, you know, talking to someone who was from laos and I've never heard of laos, when I was, like you know, um, growing up until, like, I got into high school oh, you're from laos, like, like, I've never heard of laos, I've never heard of the, the culture, you know, never heard. Of what language do they speak there? Um, I know people who are like, have indonesian roots and it's like people always kind of forget that even within those, you know, subcultures there are, are like layers, like I mentioned, um. So, in terms of, like, the work I just want to kind of in terms of writing, in terms of the projects that I love to create, is just showing that, like I said, showing those layers within the Mexican-American side. So, like you know, and it's nothing, this is not a dig at anyone, but you know, in terms of the projects that come out, they're very much centered in Boyle Heights, east Los Angeles, and that is, you know, a great epicenter of Mexican American culture, of the, the, what comes out of that space.
George Gomez:But there are so many different areas that are that I guess people fail to recognize. You know, in terms of that, um, I come from, just so for the viewers you know, maybe they might know, but there's a San Gabriel Valley. So, you know, in LA there's LA, there's a San Fernando Valley and then there's a San Gabriel Valley. So you know, in LA there's LA, there's a San Fernando Valley and then there's a San Gabriel Valley. And I think people forget to think about the San Gabriel Valley, which is totally fine, because it's not. I don't meet, at least since I've been in this industry for the last five years, I hardly ever meet people who are like, know that area. Yeah, especially if you're, like you know, a transplant, been living in LA for 10 years or so, maybe not, grew up, didn't grow up here, so it's like I don't really venture off East side. You know, in terms of like, you know, there's LA and then there's the Inland Empire, that's pretty much it.
George Gomez:But understanding that even those, like I said, there's a different culture out there, there's a different, like you know, set of rules. I want to say, maybe not instead of rules, maybe that's the right, um, wrong terminology, but there's a different, you know different way of living and and that's it. And I think people, like I said, it's great to show that there are. People might not come from come from the same place, but they might have grown up differently, so their culture is a little different. I think showing that in your work is very important and that's very important to me, because I think individuality is, is is something that I think we should all hold on to and I think we should all define and kind of keep that and I think just knowing who ourself, who are, like I said, who yourself is you know, that's really the important thing and in terms of, like the work that we do at New Filmmakers LA, that's why I enjoy the work, because we celebrate those different subsets and recognize that even within those subsets, you know, there are different stories to be heard.
George Gomez:Um, for example, we just had our April film festival and that was, um, we, we had this thing called in focus thing, and so all that means really is that we're dedicating at least one block of programming to that quote, unquote theme. Um, and our themes usually focus on underrepresented or marginalized groups of people, and so for this April one was that was Asian cinema and immigration. So all the films were played either by, you know, people who identify as immigrants, people who identify as Asian, not only in front of the camera but behind the camera, not just telling their stories, and there were so many different, like I I said, so many different stories within it. There was a film about, uh, a japanese immigrant coming in the 1970s and how she was dealing with that kind of being an elementary school student and dealing with that culture of people like oh, people are again the film people are calling her chinese even though she was japanese. You know, um.
George Gomez:There was another film about how a half Japanese woman, or I think it was half Japanese woman and half, you know, caucasian woman, how she got a date. She got asked on a date by a white passing out in this Japanese, like culture, tea tasting date, and so you know it was a story about that. And, like I said, recognizing that there's so many different, you know it was a story about that and and, like I said, recognizing that there's so many different, you know stories to be told. There was another film, uh, about a taiwanese american and how their interactions with like a super religious, uber religious neighbors and like how their dynamic was when he, like, lived in in la in like the 1990s. And, like I said, so many different stories need to be told and people have so many different perspectives and I think people forget, and it's okay to forget, you know, it's okay to not know, but it's one thing to not know, it's one thing to blatantly ignore. You know what's in front of me, what these stories are being told.
Janel Koloski :And that's the thing you know. If the stories are being told, if there's an opportunity to hear them, why not? I love all of that. Um, I've always been curious about other country cultures. I don't know if it's my father's journalist and I just think it's exciting to learn about anything other than me. I'm like, oh boring old gen, but what advice would you have for people that are like I don't know how to embrace other cultures, or maybe they have a little trepidation is here on the Mindset RSU podcast. We talk about, you know, leaning into what's uncomfortable or new, and sometimes there's like people are afraid to try new things, even for their career, because something about fear of like, like what's going to happen. So the power of this, the storytelling and these films that you're making, it's like a non-invasive way, non-confrontational way of being like look at this beautiful, gorgeous world out here and all these people that make it wonderful. But how would you encourage people to embrace other cultures more if maybe they're afraid to admit?
George Gomez:that they're just like. I'm a little afraid I don't know it's new. I think just taking the first thing is, with anything, just taking baby steps. You know being just knowing that you know, like you said, maybe you don't know and admitting is the first step into anything really Like, hey, I don't know this culture and I would like to know more and, just like I said, starting with baby steps, whether it's, you know, finding a field and maybe in that culture that you might be interested in.
George Gomez:You know, I can speak from personal, like experience, in the sense of you know being, though I am Mexican American with indigenous roots, spanish is a very like, you know, interesting conversation. To add, knowing Spanish because my parents were, even though they came, you know, immigrants from here, they never really encouraged me to speak it, they were very much like English speaking, tried their best to, you know, learn that language, and so it was very interesting. And you can hear stories from other you know people who are immigrants from families or from Latin American countries where, you know Spanish is like the main language they speak. You know they're like essentially translating for their parents when they go to the doctors or to, like, different government offices, um, and that's like that, like it kind of goes back to about, you know, how everyone goes up a little differently, where my parents were very much like, okay, we need to learn the language, and so almost all my life they spoke, you know both english and spanish, but, like, trying their best to um, give that across to us as well, as, like you know you, english is more important than Spanish in a sense.
George Gomez:You know, even if they didn't say it, you know, verbally, they definitely did it by not enforcing that on us, you know, and because of that I kind of, like you know, I feel a little bit, especially when I talk to other people who are speak fluent. I'm, like you know, I feel a little bit self-conscious about that, but, you know, feel a little bit self-conscious about that, but, you know, in a way that helps me identify with it, helps me, like you know, get to know that culture is like through music, yeah, finding that the music, you know, and doesn't have to be like traditional, like for, in terms of my, like I said, my and my side is, you know, traditional, regional mexican music. I listen to different, like you know, independent rock, mexican bands and that helps me, like you know, identify with my culture, even though it's not maybe like, let's just say, the typical quote-unquote type of music, if that makes sense, I guess. But just like identifying with different fields, you know, might be like, like I said, maybe if it wasn't music I would be listening, watching Mexican films, you know. Or like Latin American films that might be a little bit different. Or, like you know, for, let's say, for example, of someone who wants to switch careers, so like, if you know someone is in the banking, you know, let's say they're in the financial field but they want to make films, they want to make projects. It's just, you know, going to the first step is maybe going to a festival, going to a networking event, meeting people, like, hey, I would like to get into this. You know, taking those first steps and just talking to people is a great way to hear other people's journeys, to hear other people's stories. I mean, this is what this podcast is right For someone who might be interested in, like getting into the field and knowing different experiences is just hearing other people talk, taking that baby steps.
George Gomez:Like I said, it's just, it could be something as simple as having a conversation with someone. It could be as a grand a step as, like, hey, I'm just going to grab my phone, I'm going to film something you know, doing it yourself. So I think it's just remembering that, whatever it's, whatever you're comfortable with you know, as much as you can hear from other people or do it or, you know, do things yourself I think is finding something that you're comfortable doing, whether it's, like I said, hearing the story, doing it yourself and just trying it for yourself. So I think, taking that into account when trying to transition from careers whether it's like even from, you know, entertainment, to business or business entertainment or mixing the two, you know, finding a comfortable space for yourself and taking those first steps and whatever that looks like is whatever that looks like.
Amanda DeBraux:Yeah, that's so powerful and impactful and it sounds like you're aware of the impact of culture and you want to share that and encourage other people to really nurture their backgrounds. I think, like you said, you know, I grew up in being I can relate to. I am half Puerto Rican, half black, but I don't speak fluent Spanish. I can understand it, but there was always, growing up there's some sense of insecurity there, like, oh yeah, I am Puerto Rican but I don't quite speak it, and so that's such a relatable storyline for all of us who have immigrant parents or parents who just like no, we got to integrate into America because that's because we want you to belong, we want you to fit in, and it's like, no, we're not meant to fit in, we're not meant to be a mold, we're meant to break it, we're meant to explore and share our story and that's the important part of why you came here, why we exist.
Amanda DeBraux:It's so impactful and I appreciate that because, again, I relate to it. I'm like ooh, you know, and I'm like, but I'm proud to say that I am Puerto Rican, I am Black, and music is so impactful. And, speaking of music, there's this ruminating experience that I had because I watched Sinners recently.
Amanda DeBraux:And music was such, did you get to see it? Yet? Yes, I did, I did. And music was such, did you get to see it? Yet? Yes, I did, I did. Okay, good, all right, you know well, for me it was beyond the vampires, it was how important music is, that specific scene, which I don't want to kind of give that spoiler for everyone, but in the you know their place and all the different characters that came up as he was singing, and how impactful and important it is for music. Music is something that we can connect from the past, present and future, and that's what we have, and that's storytelling. That's the reason why all three of us are here today is because we have this innate need to storytell and it matters. It matters.
George Gomez:Yeah, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cut you off. Go ahead, go for it. Yeah, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cut you off.
Amanda DeBraux:Go ahead, go for it. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
George Gomez:No, but that's, I mean, I think that's like the, like you said, the point, the real point of it is that music, obviously, is one of them, but just art in general, really, that's like the connecting factor. You know, like you mentioned, like storyt innate thing, as you know, we can go into the political stuff but, like you know, all the decut funding of the arts, people always forget that the arts is what we go back to at the end of the day. You know, it's like you know, if we didn't have anything, what we'll be doing, money wasn't an issue. If, like, we didn't have the societal standards of each other of like that placed upon us, what would we be doing? And half of us are like, oh, I would just paint, or I would just make you know this, or I would just, you know, act.
George Gomez:And it's like, why then? Why are we doing these things? Why are we defunding these, you know, these programs, these organizations? You know, why are we not giving, you know, more money to filmmakers to make stuff? It just more money to filmmakers to make stuff. It quite doesn't make sense. And, like I said, that's a whole beast of a conversation that we can have, but that is, like you know, the eccentrics and that's what kind of like you said stood out to me. And during that scene I'm like, oh, everyone can connect through this art form of music and it's like you know, it's great to see, I should say it's so interesting to see from someone's like, okay, music is the connecting form, but how do I show that through film, how do I show that through a scene? And then the scene that they came up with I'm like it's genius in itself.
Amanda DeBraux:Yes, I was like everyone watch it, because I don't want to spoil it and if you haven't, watch it with a friend, and then let's jump into the conversation. And yeah, what they did was they said it without saying it, you know, just, and it was beautifully done and it was magical and it was artistic and it was inclusive. That was the best part about it. That it was. I mean, you're talking about the Asian Americans that you just recently in April, like they had that that there's a lot of history and culture that got erased or misconceptions that we have, and so it was beautiful to see that they were inclusive with the Asian Americans, indigenous and just like African culture. There were so many beautiful pieces within that that I was so grateful to have seen that and witnessed that in the theater, which it brought me back to why you, me and Janelle are here.
Amanda DeBraux:Because storytelling, we have to tell our stories. Our voices matter. Otherwise, what are we doing it for, really, truly, what are we doing it for? Like you said, there is the through line between human and humanity is our culture and experience in storytelling. Human and humanity is our culture and experience in storytelling. The beauty about also storytelling is that it will live on beyond us. It will live on beyond us and I want to ask you this in speaking of stories, what was a moment where you saw representation truly shift in the rooms? And maybe a film or something that you felt like finally, yes, that's what I've been wanting to share and, like now, encourage that for you know, the audience and creatives to do, moving forward.
George Gomez:That's a really good question. I haven't really thought about that, but you know it probably has to be. You know, definitely my time during like a film school in 20, like 18 and 19,. You know that you know cusp during like a film school in 20, like 18 and 19. You know that you know cusp of years before the pandemic. It's such a crazy, crazy thing, just on the side tangent, to be like, yeah, like you know where we can identify, like so many, much of our life is like before the pandemic, after that, that's so crazy to think about every now and then. But just seeing that you know being a lot of my peers during that time were of different you know backgrounds, not just you know ethnically, but like you know socioeconomically. And then even within itself it's like okay, were there. You know a lot of them were immigrants. A lot of them, maybe half of them were not and it's just to see.
George Gomez:You know, I think that was kind of the shift in terms of like seeing it before my eyes. You know not to say that it wasn't like that before, but I just you know, being from a I guess I should, I should say from a town of, like you know, a couple hundred thousand people to, like, you know, a city, to be entrenched in a city where you see millions a day? Um, it's, it's, I think it's that's the crazy kind of eye opener. Um, but in terms of, like, the projects that were put out, I think you know, um, I'm trying to think of, like, maybe one that really influenced me.
George Gomez:It's maybe not something that came out recently, but like I remember seeing a film by Wong Kar Wai, happy Together. People have been doing this for years in terms of, like, you know, representing or like telling stories that are so human that it can be relatable regardless of background. So, like, just to give context, happy together. If you haven't watched the film, I think you, you probably should. I think it's like, yeah, you know, just to give like the the most basic, like like log line. It's just about a deteriorating relationship, about two, uh, gay men, two gay Chinese men, and they live in Argentina, and so that's like the background of it.
George Gomez:But like to show like it's one of my favorite films If you're on Letterboxd, it's my top four, it's on my top four it's just to show the deteriorating relationship, just like a universal experience that anyone can see and, like you know and can relate to, like I just seeing, like you know, the breakdown of a relationship with someone you really loved, of seeing how, like that, it can go from like sour, sweet to sour in like just a matter of days.
George Gomez:I'm being that this, this movie, was filmed in that and released in 1997. Um, you know, it's like these stories have been being told everywhere, but it's like they, being we're in this digital age where things can be accessed so easily, it's like, oh, now I can see it at any point, any time. But I remember seeing that during that time period of like 2018 and 2019, of just seeing these types of films that I had not heard of before, you know, being around people who are of different backgrounds, like I said, not just culturally and ethically, but just about everything about them was different. It's just it kind of, like I said, opened my eyes in that sense.
Amanda DeBraux:Wow, I appreciate that. I'm going to have to put that on my long list of things to watch, because there's just so much that we have to catch up on when it comes to like there's just so many beautiful things to watch now. And so tell me a bit about that program and how that how you saw that impact for those that were in participating in that program.
George Gomez:Yeah, yeah, definitely, and I probably should have saw that. I know you mentioned it in one of the questions earlier. I probably should have just gave like context to our viewers about what New Filmmakers LA is. So New Filmmakers LA, just like, for those who don't know, you know it's a non-profit organization based out here in los angeles. As it says, really our mission is to bridge that gap between independent filmmakers to the film industry at large. So we do that with a number through a number of different ways.
George Gomez:Um, you know, one of the programs that we do it through it, like you mentioned, is a stars program, but it's also through our monthly film festivals. We have a grant program for filmmakers. We also have other career work, workforce development programs throughout the year. We have a high school mentorship program to educate, you know, high school students interested in the entertainment field and we give out college and internships. We have a college internship for people who want to know just organization or get to know the space. Um, you know, so that's like really like the, like the basic guideline. But you know, the stars program, yeah, the stars program it's an amazing program. It's with partner up with an elite. Um, it's called you know the official title stars hashtag take the lead riders intensive, and it's it's amazing because we mentor essentially and it's going on. I think we're gonna start up again this year and I want to say it's probably it'll be its fifth year Don't quote me on that, maybe it's like sixth or seventh but we mentor, depending on the season, anywhere from four to ten screenwriters, mentor them, help them develop a spec script of a current star show and once they develop that spec, they get in front of stars executives and pitch that and the ultimate long run is to eventually staff them on a star show. And, you know, once they develop that spec, they get in front of stars executives and pitch that and you know the ultimate long run is to eventually staff them on a star show, you know. So that's it's amazing.
George Gomez:Like I said, it's it's something we've been doing the last five to 10 years and it's we look for people, you know just, who not obviously have a little bit of experience in the space, since it is a little bit more for, like you know, not necessarily early start or early career screenwriters, but maybe like have a couple of things under their belt, whether it's like a screenwriting contest or like a festival that's played, that their project has played at, but it's like, at the end of the day, as, like I mentioned, our mission is to really like foster that next.
George Gomez:I don't want to say generation because you know, even though it's in our title, like new filmmakers, it, even though it's in our title, like new filmmakers, it really is just for independent filmmakers, really independent creators, and and really just trying to push them to the forefront and get them that you know, get those stories told, cause we don't necessarily we don't have like a. It's very broad in terms of like the categories and who can apply. So it doesn't really matter where you're from, what you do. You know you could be a 50 year old writer from Michigan that wants to do the program. As long as you meet the requirements, we'll take your application seriously.
Amanda DeBraux:Wow, what a great opportunity.
Janel Koloski :Yeah, sorry, yeah. And what advice do you have, because you've helped so many people through this program that are overwhelmed by the process? It is a process Like, well, where do I start? Or am I really good enough to make a film? Or you know, you hear of people taking years and other people can make something in a couple days or a weekend and I love to hear the advice you have for our listeners about all of that.
George Gomez:Definitely. You know, as I mentioned earlier too, it's like I'm telling myself this as well. So, I think, remembering that, remembering that even though people who maybe I should say maybe their position seems unattainable or like you're like oh, wow, they're doing so many different things, know that half the time, like no, we're right there with you in terms of like our mindset, or like finances, or whatever the case may be. But the thing is, the other thing that I tell myself every day is like comparison is the case may be, but, you know, the thing is the thing that I tell myself every day is like comparison is the thief of joy. And it truly is, it really is. It's like.
George Gomez:You know, I remember, especially when I was younger, coming out of, you know, doing film school. You know, like I said, just on a personal side note, it was like so many of the students were able to create their projects and create their thesis films or create side projects outside of class, and for myself, I was working full-time and going to school full-time, so it was like very hard for me to do that. And I remember going through my journey and I was like, oh, like I wish I could have. Like, you know, I wish I could be doing that with them. Or like no, I have to work like a whole eight-hour, nine hour shift.
George Gomez:Comparison really is the thief of joy. It's just knowing that, regardless of that person that you know is doing it in four days, you know however long you need to take to do it is however long you need to take to do it Like there's no shame in that. Recognizing that every journey is different, recognizing your own journey is not going to be like anyone else's. It doesn't matter if you are growing up, it could be your twin, you know, doing the same thing with you. If they're doing a completely like it could, their journey could be completely different from yours. You know, first off thing, recognizing that. And then, second is you know if you have a friend or two that want to take this journey with you or take that, you know take those steps with you. You know, don't be afraid to rely on them.
George Gomez:Or don't be afraid to like you know, call it because I called that other friend that you know maybe wanted to do. You know something like you know there are so many, you know examples and you can come up with stories and you can tell or hear other people where you know they called up a friend like, hey, I needed an editor for this, Can you it? And maybe that was that one friend that was looking for an excuse to like, really, okay, I really wanted to do like an editing project, I really want to hone my skills. Or like, hey, I really wanted to dp even though I am a producer. You know, like you know. Or vice versa, you're like you know, someone who might be a writer is like looking to do jump into the producing space.
George Gomez:So, you know, just recognizing that there are people to help you, you know, don't be afraid to ask for help. I think that's the one or another thing as well is recognizing you know, comparison is a thief of joy recognizing that you know things, everyone's journey is a little bit different and recognizing that it doesn't hurt to help. There is no, there's nothing bad that could happen from from you, from asking for help. You know, the worst thing that someone's going to say is no, you know it might throw an insult on there, but that's it.
Amanda DeBraux:It's just words at the end of the day. You know Well, yeah, well, insults and the no I mean as creatives, we constantly are addressing that rejection or that no, or someone not seeing our vision, not recognizing like we, as creatives, know what it could look like and what it could feel like and the impact, and we have a deep connection to it, and then we share it with the world or share with someone they're like. Well, that don't make no sense. We don't know, never mind Pass. Move on. Creatives out there who are excited to share their story or whatever art form that they want to share how do they protect their creativity while trying to juggle all of these things where it's, you know, someone's perception of them validation maybe, or maybe that imposter syndrome that comes up and is like I don't know if I belong here, like how do we protect our creativity?
George Gomez:and also ourselves. Like what advice do you have this project? You release it. Or like you have this like rough cut and you share your idea with someone. They're like oh no, I don't, like I don't think that makes sense and that's totally fine. You know people, I think, recognizing that you know every, everything has its audience. You know you're not gonna. You know, as someone who's like a very medical show, you know person. You know you're not going to recommend them some sci-fi drama series If they're like I love Grey's Anatomy. You might not recommend them Black Mirror if it's not their thing.
George Gomez:And it's okay to have different audiences. It's okay to know that your project might not connect with some people and that's okay. It will find its audience. If your vision is strong enough, if you have a clear enough idea of what you want to get across, it will find its audience. It might not be the people you hold dearest or might not be the people you expect, but it could.
George Gomez:People recognize originality and people recognize authenticity and as long as your project and as long as yourself, you know and this can be applied not to only just your project but just to your, your person, you know, just as a person, as long as you're authentic, as long as you just you know, you know yourself, that's it, that's, that's the, you'll be good, you'll be set and, like I said, sometimes certain circumstances might suck. It might hurt to say that, no, it might be like a little bit debilitating, but just recognizing that you know, you are you and, like I said, give yourself some grace. The fact that you're doing it is an achievement of itself. Everyone's idea of success can be a little different and don't let other people define that. And that's hard, it's so hard. Don't trust me To all the viewers out there, I take that to myself as well. I wish I could be doing a little bit more. I have so many things that are on the books that just haven't gotten made yet. That doesn't mean that it's not possible.
Amanda DeBraux:It's just you got to do it one step at a time no-transcript cuts of it and they were like this is going to be crap. I mean the amount of struggle. We came up with the mechanics of the shark and it just no one was like this is not going to be anything. And now it's one of the cult favorites. Today, years and decades later, it's like yeah, so believe in your story, believe in your voice and set aside the naysayers, because they don't have what you have. That's the whole purpose.
Amanda DeBraux:And you know, with the new filmmakers, la and and I love that it's inclusive. It's not just about those that are coming out of college or fresh out of college. You're talking about people of all ages that they've retired from their day job, but now they're like I'm free, I want to write. I've been wanting to write for my whole life but I never had the opportunity to Great, you're offering that and I know there's a lot of programs involved with an FMLA, but it's never really talked about enough.
Amanda DeBraux:But docu-series, documentaries I love that. That's being incorporated with them. So can you tell me a little bit about that journey of encouraging docu-series in that indie world, because that is such an important path for storytellers. We get to interview grandparents and tell their stories and it's like it's so cool, and especially now with all these podcasts and crime podcasts, those are docu-series as well. So tell me a bit about that. And with that, and then we'll kind of close this out is how can people and creatives get in contact with new filmmakers, la? You know, what should they look for, depending on what they're interested in? And, if you're willing, how could they reach out to you?
George Gomez:yeah, of course you know it's a great point because I think documentaries are an underrated thing. You know, um, there was a documentary. Uh, I heard from more colleagues. You know there's a documentary produced by youtube. I forget what the. It's something. It just came out not too long ago.
George Gomez:I don't quote me on the title, so I do apologize not giving the title, but it was opening day production produced by you too, which is, you know, everyone knows you too, and I think there was. He said that there was only like five people, including him and his partner, at the movie premiere at like the friday, the friday night, and so it's like you know it sucks. And look at me wrong, I'm the same way too. You know there are so many documentaries that I wish I could go see, and but I love fiction. So I'm speaking this from like a person who loves fiction. But you know we recognize that within the organization, so many of our film submissions that want to showcase our festivals were documentaries. You know, we recognize that, and so we were like what can we do? And so we dedicated essentially a whole festival to show doc, showcase documentaries. So that's our our docu series, our docu slate series was what we call it. It happens in conjunction with our indigenous cinema film festival as well. Usually happens the same weekend, but I think in the past we've done it like within separate, two separate weekends, like I said just, dedicated kind of to the the story of documentaries. And so documentaries are so powerful, they can really influence you know, so many different ideas and so many, so many, here's so many different stories that you might not have, you know, thought about and it's it's such a great way to to, just, like I said, showcase the humanity of it really, and and and the reality of some people's stories and some people's circumstances. And, like I said, it's something we recognize and so we do our best to, like, you know, like I said, dedicate a whole block to it, but we showcase, you know, documentaries throughout the whole year.
George Gomez:In terms of our programming, you know we actually, I remember I saw one we'd showcase back in January.
George Gomez:It was about like a 98 old career man and about his journey of, you know, like the last 10 years of his life, his past, I should say the last 10 years of his life in the sense of how he lost his like wife of like 50 plus years and like, essentially from like 88 to 98 in how his journey, of how he was dealing with that grief, and it honestly made me cry, like I was like bawling in tears by the time I finished like the 15 short minute film and it was amazing because not only was it about like a 98 Korean man who I've never met in my life, but it was directed by a film student in the Cal State University system.
George Gomez:So I was like even more blown away and I was like this was made by someone who was like five years younger than me. I'm like it's making me cry, 10 years younger than me and I'm like bawling my eyes out. And it's those stories that are so impactful that maybe, like, just like it, it makes me look at like, you know, not just like the elderly, but just in people in general, and like recognize that they have their own stories and have everyone has a you know a past to them, or like it's dealing with some kind of grief and and it makes me like kind of hold space in my heart, you know, and that's what that's how powerful documentaries are.
George Gomez:That's that's the insane part, like it's just a 15 minute short film. Maybe rethink of how I interact with everyday people. You know, and that's the beauty of, like I said, not only film but just arts in general, because that could be the same thing that could be applied to a 15-minute book. You know that I read a 15-minute, you know, podcast that I heard, or you know a painting that I saw that can get those emotions across, which is really, like I said, really powerful in that sense. And I think that was the first part of your question. But in the second part, I guess was where to reach me, right, how to get involved in New Filmmakers LA. I mean, you can follow us on social media, of course, with anything the organization it's just our acronym all across social media. I'm FMLA. You can follow us on X, linkedin, instagram, facebook if you use those platforms.
George Gomez:But if you ever want to attend our festival, our festivals are monthly and they take place in downtown LA. It's a short minute drive from wherever you are, I'm sure the 30 minute to 20 minute drive and from anywhere in LA. Tickets are on sale. If you just go to our website new form is laidcom forward slash events, you can see all the events for the rest of the year. So if you can't make it to the May festival, you can always make it to plan out a day for like the June, july or whatever month you would like to attend and you can get just in involved.
George Gomez:And that's essentially. If you follow all our stuff, you can see all the programs that we do, all the virtual conversations and panels that we host as well. If you want to get involved, that's a great way to place to see it in social media. And then myself, yeah, I'm on Instagram, I'm on X or Twitter, I'm on Letterboxd and LinkedIn as well. George Gomez I think my social handle is like George, so G-O-R-G-E either it's underscore or a period, depending on the platform. Gomez, g-m-z-z. Because Gomez is such a common last name, couldn't find an actual name.
Amanda DeBraux:Amazing. And before we close, I know I heard from a little birdie that you're a writer, but you don't write enough.
George Gomez:Yes, that's the last piece of advice I'll give to any writers. It's okay, you know you take your time. Everyone has a process. I don't write enough and I want to write more. It's something I have to keep telling myself and no matter how many conversations I have with people, it's something that I do want to do more. But it goes back to what we've been talking about this whole past 50 minutes being patient and understanding that my journey is completely different from everyone else's. So minutes, being patient and understanding that my journey is completely different from everyone else's. So I know that, as long as my heart is in it and as long as I dedicate at least a little bit of time, whatever I want to get written will be written.
Amanda DeBraux:Yeah, we'll be checking out Bunny for sure.
Janel Koloski :I just want to say thank you, george, so much, and you've inspired me with what you've shared today and I'm sure our listeners will love it. And, um, I love documentaries too. I was like, oh my gosh, I had a sundock uh subscription for a while and I watch pbs documentaries all the time. So, uh, I can't wait to come out west. I can come to an event yes, please do so.
George Gomez:thank you for amanda. Um, you too as well. If you want to come to an event, just let me know. Thank you so, so much for having me Really appreciate it. This is a great first podcast experience, so I'm happy we eased you in, it wasn't?
Amanda DeBraux:so like, all right, good, good, so good. Now, many, many more after that and it's such a prosperous and I appreciate what you're doing and keep it up because your voice matters. And now you're a part of the Mindset Artistry community and we're so grateful to have you and you're always welcome to come back and share what's going on Because, just like NFMLA is, we want to keep the stories going, we want to make it inclusive, we want you to share your story, we want you to recognize that your voice matters, you matter, your story matters and that's what you're doing and, george, I really appreciate you, you know, emphasizing that throughout this whole podcast episode and you know, in culture, and culture should never be dismissed, we should never dismiss it and we should recognize a humanity through line that we all have and all share and that's the beauty that in the gift that we get to do so, thank you so much for encouraging that I appreciate it and we'll see you next time.
George Gomez:Thank you everybody, Thank you Bye.
Amanda DeBraux:And that's a wrap on this episode of Mindset Artistry Podcast. Don't forget to like, share and subscribe. Catch us every Thursday for a new episode to help you master the art of your mindset. Got it? Yes, okay, cool.