Andrew Ramirez - Interview
Writer, producer, director, author Andrew Ramirez, born near Detroit MI 1986, began his film career in advertising producing TV broadcast spots for local small businesses via his agency business, RezSocial. Andrew has produced countless video adverts for many clients across the US in several states. Ramirez enjoys creating entertaining content for viewers and providing a working platform for other local creatives to thrive. ALICE is Andrew Ramirez's first short film venture.
Films that inspired you to become a filmmaker/actor/screenwriter?
The fifth element, There will be blood, back to the future (series), Reservoir Dogs, The Cube, Get Out. I really enjoy an interesting sci-fi film.
Who is your biggest influence?
Jordan Peele
What were some of the challenges you had to face in making your films?
The pandemic shut down was difficult. I wanted to provide a creative outlet for my friends and myself in a safe environment.
Do you have a favorite genre to work in? Why is it your favorite?
Sci-fi. I like that you can create unique worlds and realities, or creatures but still maintain human characteristics. When a good sci-fi pulls me in, I feel like my admission ticket was worth it.
What’s your all-time favorite movie and why?
Back To The Future. I know some may scoff at it but I've loved this film series since I was a child. The creativity, FX, storybuilding, characters, and actors to me have always been interesting. It was cool to think that someone dreamt of this and then put it on film.
If you could work with anyone in the world, who would that person be?
Shia labeouf. He's an extremely interesting person and I feel he is underrated.
Tell us something most people don't know about you.
I used to be a dating coach.
The one person who has truly believed in you throughout your career.
My aunts Diane and Sue. They have always been there to support me and provide counsel. Sorry I couldn't pick just one of them.
What was the most important lesson you had to learn as
filmmaker/screenwriter?
Filmmaking is about team building. Not about ego or control. As a director I feel I had to let that go and instead focus on finding the best people to work with. Once I did that, my commercial work and films processed much quicker and easier. I see endless opportunity with this mindset and collaboration.
Is it harder to get started or to keep going? What was the particular
thing that you had to conquer to do either?
Stay going for sure. I have many friends who start things. Getting "shiny object" syndrome and derailing their focus. It leads to failure to complete anything. To me, filmmaking is married to resourcefulness and discipline. Building a realistic timeline, budget, and team that can work with contratints. Everyone has a vision of 100 million dollar movie. Once we get started we realize how far money really doesn't go in the film world. Then we learn to get resourceful and friendly.
What keeps you motivated?
I want to win. I want to win at moving an audience, mastering new skills, and working with the given set of constraints.
How has your style evolved?
I'm learning to focus more on my characters rather than creating the perfect story. Stories are generally commodities, everything has been done. I think what people what to see is a different mouse trap that reignites a feeling they had. I'm exploring that with my next two films that are coming out this year.
On set, the most important thing is:
Trust. Everything should be worked out efficiently in pre-pro. Then I have to trust my hired professionals to execute. From there I can focus on performance and stage.
The project(s) you’re most proud of:
Alice is by far the once I am most proud of. It was my first short film and I met so many amazing people as a result during a very difficult time in society.
The most challenging project you worked on. And why?
The Mentor, my second short film. This project drew a lot emotionally from me and I wanted to get it right. I obsessed about it. It's a subject I experienced personally many times. It's about a personal development speaker who sells a get rich quick scheme to an impressionable young man. The young man needs this work and invests all he has but loses more than just his money, he loses his morals.
What are your short term and long term career goals?
Short term, film my third short film this year. Long term, Have a feature on netflix. Not for the money, for the viewership. I want to share my stories with as many people as possible on the platform and keep them wanting more.
Your next projects?
1) The Mentor
2) Lethe
Follow him on instagram to stay in touch with Andrew!
www.instagram.com/andrewrezsocial
https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm11385275?ref_=nm_nv_mp_profile
Instagram.com/andrewrezsocial