Vega Montañez | Respect the Artist Interview
Vega Montañez, the award-winning Dominican visionary storyteller, is a transformative force in the film and television industry, hailing from Providence, Rhode Island. With an impressive track record of five feature films and over two dozen scripts in the past 18 months, Vega's recent film, "The Burden of Nine Lives," has garnered international acclaim with 8 awards and over a dozen nominations. His storytelling prowess, rooted in portraying the human experience uniquely, is complemented by his passion for delivering high-adrenaline visuals in films, television, and commercials. Vega's "completionist" personality and adeptness at working within lower budgets and tighter timelines set him apart, showcasing both creative prowess and pragmatic production skills. Despite an underprivileged background, Vega's problem-solving outlook and commitment to diversity in filmmaking shape his mission to impact and be memorable in every room. With over 15 years of sound mixing experience and a dedication to fostering opportunities for Latino filmmakers, Vega Montañez stands as a creative force reshaping the industry narrative.
What inspired you to pursue your dream, and how did it all begin?
My mom has always been the biggest cheerleader for my dreams. It wasn't just about specific dreams, but more like she always told me I could do anything. This belief started when I was really young. Deep down, I knew I wanted to tell stories and create characters.
Over time, I tried out different things in the entertainment world. These experiences helped me figure out how much I love telling stories and how fun it is to make movies. My mom's support has been a huge part of why I've been able to follow this path, exploring and enjoying the journey of storytelling and movie-making.
Can you share a defining moment in your journey that shaped your perspective and fueled your passion?
For me, a big moment in my journey of making movies was when I realized acting wasn't really my thing. I loved movies, but I didn't like the idea of leaving so much of the story for others to tell. I was always more curious about what was going on behind the camera and with the crew than actually acting in front of it. Then, around 2016, a friend asked me to write a boxing movie for him. That's when everything clicked for me. I knew I wanted to be the one creating stories for movies.
We tried to get the money together to make the film, but it was tough. People were asking for way too much money, so I went back to making music for a while. Right before the pandemic hit, and my tour got canceled, I got the itch to write another movie. That's how "The Hurt We Share" came to be. I managed to get some actor friends to join me on this adventure, and now, here we are.
How do you handle setbacks and keep pushing forward in the pursuit of your dreams?
I'll be honest, I like to have everything under control more than most people do. I always plan for what could go wrong so we can fix it fast. But I can't predict everything, and that's when you have to be ready to change things up. Being open to changes helps avoid getting too upset or frustrated. It also helps a lot to have a team I trust and who trusts me back. We all rely on each other to do our best, no matter what we're working on.
I've never hit a problem that made me want to give up for good, but the idea does pop into my head sometimes. Saying it out loud when I think about giving up usually makes me realize how silly it sounds, and that's enough to get me moving and back to work.
Are there specific individuals who have inspired you along the journey?
I get inspired by so many different people and their stories that it's hard to pick just one person. But if I really had to choose, there are a few famous people whose career paths really motivate me because of the unique ways they got to where they are. Honestly, just seeing people make awesome stuff always fires me up. But, I also have to admit that a big part of my motivation is wanting to see my own projects come to life and get finished.
How do you maintain a balance between pursuing your dreams and handling everyday responsibilities?
Oooooffff, definitely something I'm working on daily and do not have a good balance of right now. I actually came to the realization a few weeks before this interview that I've been so locked into my work and my work is so much fun, I actually have a terrible work life balance. Almost everything I do is related to moving my career forward and that's something I'm doing some heavy reflection around now. Maybe we circle back to this question in a future conversation.
How do you overcome self-doubt and stay confident in your abilities?
As much as I would love to stand strong and pretend I'm fully comfortable in my own skin, that would be a lie. I think, like most people, I'm very impacted by the acknowledgment of my peers, family, and friends. Now, I don't want that to get confused with me demanding constant praise and being told I'm great. What I mean is knowing that people are aware of the effort your putting in and what's happening because of it. A lot of times when I doubt myself, I'm the last person I'm going to believe counter points to my negative thoughts from. Haven't you heard "Everyone ask themselves questions, Crazy people give themselves the answers". It may not be true but I trust it so things as big as a congratulations award ceremony or as small as the smile on my brother's face when someone mentions they saw my movie go along way towards reminding me, I'm good at what I do. Solving a problem also goes a really long way to validating myself. Especially in the audio space.
Can you share a memorable success story or achievement that resulted from your determination?
I feel like everything I've done up to now is an answer to this, but nothing tops what's happening right now. As I'm responding, my latest movie "The Burden of Nine Lives" is doing amazingly well in film festivals. It's a huge testament to sticking to a plan and seeing the payoff. Just looking back at the casting and how we got some awesome brand partners on board, we managed to make a unique film experience. Our goal was to create an action film that wasn't just your typical urban story. We wanted to mix in romance, noir drama, and big questions. And now, we've got an internationally award-winning movie that's gearing up for a big release later this year.
In what ways do you stay motivated during challenging times?
This is probably my shortest yet strongest answer: I live by the mantra "This too shall pass". It applies both to the good and the bad reminding me too stay humble in good times and hopeful through bad.
What dream are you living right now?
Currently living the dream of having two films ("Nico", "The Burden of Nine Lives") in negotiation for international release while in preproduction for my next feature film "Shadow Ops: Homegrown" and my first comedy special. Also, one of my coproducers, Emmy Award winner Cosmo Losco, and I recently launched the "CinePulse Film Awards". An Film Awards show and Festival with cash prizes and networking opportunities that we hope will have major impact on the independent filmmaking communities.
What advice would you give to someone with a dream?
We are all Human. If someone else can do it so can you.
Alongside that, I would include to be aware of when you are living your dream. It took me a while to realize, and accept, just because my bank account doesn't reflect what I imagine it should, doesn't mean I'm not doing the work I've always wanted. It's a journey for the income, not for the experience. I get to talk to people everyday about making films, investing in my scripts, bringing me on to produce other work. Every now and then you have to stop take a breath and realize how far you've come.
Photography credit
I don't remember who took the pictures so can I use this space to say thank you to every photographer who's ever worked with me and some particular ones who always answer when I call like Priorz, Alfonso Blu, Chris Blair, Candice Agard, Justin Case, Kurt Christel, Matt Pelrine.
Website: http://www.whatupvega.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/whatupvega
Twitter: whatupvega
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