Meet Elizabeth Colunga | Elizabeth Colunga, Filmmaker and Photographer

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

Hi Elizabeth, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
Many people are under the impression that filmmaking is quick and simple. I suppose it could be if you are only looking for mediocre content. Filmmaking takes a lot of planning. Most people will have an idea or a vision of what they would like to create, but outsiders don’t think to ask themselves some questions that filmmakers do, such as, “Who is our audience?” “Where will this video be played?” “What is my message?” “How do the voices in the project, the lighting, camerawork, music, and editing help to tell the message we want to convey?” Finally, finding the right people for the job can be a lengthy process, too. Finding talented and reliable people to with can push a project to its next artistic level! With all this in mind, it is quite the in-depth process that takes a lot of patience and time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Anything worth creating is rarely easy. I created a documentary in 2019 that featured voices of underdogs. With creating that documentary, it took time – a lot of it – and money that came out of my own pocket. Something about creating that project, though, exhibited freedom in my spirit and in my life. I knew that by NOT creating that project, a part of me would have died. That is something you can’t find by letting your dream defer! I gave in to my intuition, which lead me to create a 73-minute documentary! Since then, I have begun pre-production on my next full-length project, and am allowing all the lessons learned from the last shoot to guide me on the next. Sure, it’s all a risk! Filmmaking isn’t cheap and it demands your emotional and mental attention. But, it’s even riskier to let that dream go uncreated.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I recently had a friend visit from Los Angeles. He loves Amoeba in Hollywood. As soon as we stepped foot into Twist & Shout, he exclaimed, “Oh wow! This is way better than Amoeba,” and later when we finally made our way back to the movie section, to which we stayed an hour just scratching the surface of all the movies there, he stated, “Amoeba doesn’t even compare to this!” I try to take my friends to a professional sports game, preferably to see the Nuggets. I mean, you just can’t get enough of Rocky! I make it a point to take friends to Red Rocks to get in a short hike and see some beautiful backdrops. Finally, we would probably finish the day at Blue Pan Pizza in Congress Park for Detroit-style pizza and good brews, and hop across the street to Sweet Cooie’s for dessert. I still haven’t found vegan ice cream that’s better than Sweet Cooie’s…and I’ve tried a lot!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I don’t think they know they are my mentors, but speakers and authors, Erwin McManus and Kent Dobson deserve more than an applause. They deserve awards that only the film gods can present! Both have breathed life into my dreams that I thought died a long time ago. These mentors have convicted me with the importance of taking ownership of myself, my work, and my dreams. They have constantly challenged my beliefs and I have grown artistically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually because of these two amazing men.

Website: www.elizabethcolunga.com

Instagram: Elizabeth_colunga

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethcolunga/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.colunga/

Image Credits
Dave Johnson, Sarah Trimble, Buddy Chambers