Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Armendariz.
Hi Karla, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi, my name is Karla Odette Armendariz. I am a Mexican American film producer based in Austin, Texas. Native to the El Paso-Juarez border region, I grew up watching a diverse mix of Mexican and American media. I became curious about the process of filmmaking and fascinated with the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating movies. I attended the University of Texas at Austin for their film program, earning a Bachelor of Science in Radio-Television-Film and a Business minor. Throughout the last seven years, I have worked actively in the Austin filmmaking community as a producer, director, assistant director, camera operator, and camera assistant. I have been focusing on projects representing minority groups and their stories. I enjoy making music videos and would like to transition to working as a creative producer in the animation industry.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Perseverance, resilience, and a positive mindset have been the essential skills that have allowed me to keep moving toward my goals. Graduating college in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic started my journey in film with a bumpy start. What I thought would be an easy transition from college to the working world was stressful and challenging due to the lack of work opportunities for new graduates. However, the experience I had starting my career as an artist gave me the tools to face constant uncertainty, which is integral to being a working artist in today’s world. In a way, I’m thankful for the adversity the COVID 2019 Pandemic offered me since it only made me a stronger and more resilient filmmaker. I have collaborated with amazing artists and filmmakers and traveled on over 100 unique projects.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a freelance creative producer in the film industry. I currently specialize in music videos and narrative films. I was known for the longest time as a camera assistant. Still, I am producing and have been collaborating with local Directors like Vanessa Pla and Olivia Maaghul and production companies like Big Spring Media and Green Bean Pictures. Recent popular videos I produced were promotional videos for the new Good Dad Studios artist space. We collaborated to create fun and exciting videos that provoke the community to ask themselves: “What would an artist do if they had a 9-5?” They proved popular and helped the studio fill up with artists looking for a studio space. Another recent video I am proud of was the opening fashion film” Veneration” for the Veneration Fashion Show, which showcased local LGBTQ fashion designers. A major project I took on this year was producing an independent feature film, “3rd Place”, directed by fellow Mexican-American Director Edwin Oliva. Now that I am working on bigger projects, I want to find and create stories that bring representation of our minority groups to the big screen. I want to bring underrepresented voices and creatives to the room where decisions are made, starting with my voice.
Can you talk to us about the role of luck?
Good luck follows good intentions. Listening, caring, and believing in the greater good are important in my life and business model. Staying true to yourself in moments of uncertainty, trusting your gut instinct, and surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who believe in you are essential to success. When one door closes, three more will open with better opportunities, and things will work in your favor.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.karlaodettearmendariz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlaodette.film/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karla-armendariz-31a019175/
Image Credits
KarlaArmendariz1: Michael Zumaya KarlaArmendariz3: Olexiy Kryvych Karla Armendariz6: Elizabeth Patrick
