We had the good fortune of connecting with Cortez Campos and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cortez, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursed my career as a film director because, for me, movies communicate with every audience. This allows me to resonate my artistic voice with the world. Not only am I a visual artist, but I am also a story teller; meaning, I can tell my stories to the world and people are able to connect with them in various ways.

Most mainstream Hollywood movies don’t focus on the emotion and thought process of a story’s characters. Instead, these blockbusters try to narrate a movie as quickly and efficiently as possible, and this results in the audience interacting strictly with the action on screen. However, as a director, I believe we watch film for the drama. We all like movies that have a lot of tension because conflict defines entertainment. Drama creates that tension, suspense, and most importantly emotion. I personally make my films in a way that showcases my character’s thought processes and feelings so all of my audiences are enveloped in a rollercoaster of emotions. The ability people have to resonate with my characters highlights my films drama because of the intimacy between my audience and my characters on screen.

Through my artistic voice and strategy, I am able to create intimate films that reach the masses.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I first got into filmmaking in middle-school making stop motion animation short films. It was through this animation, I fell in love with the creativity of cinema and story telling. Throughout my journey through High-School I was provided with barely any to no resources to learn and grow my understanding of the filmmaking process. As a result, I did not let my limitations become my cages and taught myself editing and the basics of story telling using youtube tutorials and taking seminars/other classes outside of school to hone my skills.

The first film I ever made was a Documentary called Día de los Muertos which filmed The Day of the Dead in San Miguel de Allende. That film would go on to win me multiple awards including Best Young Filmmaker and Young Trailblazer for The Official Latino Film Festival. Not long after that film was released, I create Joshua, a short film about a trans-man who must play the role of God, in order to combat a silent devil. I made this film when I was a senior in High-School, with no mentorship, nor guidance. I assembled a cast and crew, created props, location scouted, and took all the necessary steps to ensure my film would be a success alone.

It was after I created Joshua, I discovered my voice as an artist. I want to make films that address subjects that aren’t explained in Hollywood nor cinema as a whole. I also want my audience to empathize and feel for the characters I create. I make my audiences empathize with a new perspective though my character. It was Joshua that would define me today as a filmmaker who challenges human perception through emotion.

I have never seen my dyslexia as a burden, but rather as a strength. It opens my mind to see the possibilities of what could be so I can make it into reality.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would first take them to go downtown because Denver has so much to do and explore. After that, I would take my friend to the mountains to go hiking and fishing. Even if they have never fished before, I would teach them because it is such an immersive peaceful experience, I would not let them miss out on it. To eat, I would take them to the Columbine Steak House in Colorado. It doesn’t, seem like much on the outside, but the food is amazing. Most people drive past it everyday, and they don’t know what they are missing out on. I would then take them to Red Rocks Amphitheater to watch a concert sense it is such an extraordinary place.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom, Kristina Campos, has been the single most influential person in my life. She has always supported me throughout my life. My mom was alway there from when I was diagnosed with Dyslexia, to when I turned 16 and decided I wanted to pursue my passion for film and she has been by my side ever sense I can remember. Through thick and thin, she has always encouraged me when I needed someone to turn to. Her encouragement is endless and her faith in my talent has never faltered; it’s only grown. She has shown me how to brand myself, and been a huge contributor in helping me get my name and art out to the world. She managed to do this all while creating and running her own business, The Impactful Parent. She has truly been nothing short of that in my life; my impactful parent.

Website: https://cortezcampos.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directorcortezcampos/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortez-campos-55041b203

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cortez.campos.92/videos

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJyeJTGJsJ2qDRJFJuAWlBA

Other: Vimea: https://vimeo.com/user115604383

Image Credits
Alena Ellis, and Cortez Campos

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