Interview With Cuban American Director Producer Carlos Gutierrez

Carlos V. Gutierrez is a film and television director whose work has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Emmy Award, and has been featured on HBO and Showtime. In the commercial world, Carlos is a highly sought after director who works on national campaigns for Turbo Tax, Princess Cruises, Exxon / Mobil, Chevy and numerous others. His commercial work for clients includes a Super Bowl commercial and PSA's that have won international recognition.

In a recent interview with Carlos, here is what he had to say:

You started your media career in advertising and won awards in that career. How did you get into advertising?

CARLOS: I was studying to be a doctor and just had one of those epiphanies where you realize you’re meant for something else. I promised my parents I would have a job before graduating from undergrad and found advertising as a great way to create and learn how productions are put together.

How was your experience studying at NYU and how did you go about making your first short films?

CARLOS: I really think film school is a personal experience (especially at the grad level). It’s what you make of it and if you’re willing to subscribe to the fact the first year is a boot camp. The staff and professors want you to vomit out all your inspirations and ideas so that you can start to develop your style so by the time you hit second year your confidence about who you are as a director grows. Not to mention I had Spike Lee mentoring me and I have to say he was instrumental in shaping me into a professional filmmaker. Once I won a few awards, my confidence really went up and I started to feel I could do this, that’s where the school and the staff are critical into helping you understand what it takes to be a professional filmmaker. 

How has your advertising career and your background influenced your filmmaking?

CARLOS: My background as a Cuban American filmmaker started with my parents who always made me feel proud to be Latino and encouraged me to never shut up about it! I really tried to put that in my films when it made sense. Advertising was a great way to learn from masters like Spike Jonze, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu and Doug Liman all of whom I watched direct while I was still a producer. 

Do you have a favorite early project you have worked on that you are most proud of?

CARLOS: Yes, that has to be the documentary short I did on my father called Journey Into Exile where it explored his personal battles of leaving Cuba and immigrating to the US. That film won best of fest and gave me some much-needed early confidence.

You are a writer, director and producer now. Can you tell us about projects you are working on now in each role?

CARLOS: I’m always a writer first since that was what I was doing since the age of twelve when I was writing short stories that scared my mom, and before I was twenty, I was a published poet. Writing for me is therapy and is really something I love to do, it’s the only time you have full creative control. As a writer / director I have three films in various stages of casting & financing ready to film in the next twelve months not to mention a docuseries we are taking out to market that will be an umbrella project encompassing the history of Cuba. As a producer, I have two TV series with partners I am really excited about and that we are taking to market this year. 

Your recent film as producer "Stay Safe" screened in Florida during the Sunscreen FF. Can you tell us about the film?

CARLOS: The film is a supernatural thriller with a mix of immigration issues that although kind of fantastical I tried to make feel grounded. It’s a love triangle with supernatural & horror elements where a couple’s once seemingly normal existence is upended when they allow someone into their home, only to find out she is not who they thought she was. Think “Single White Female” with a supernatural twist. 

It's a kind of Sci-fi horror. What was the inspiration for this story? 

CARLOS: Unfortunately, I didn’t write it, I only directed but a lot of inspirations were “Rosemary’s Baby” and “Single White Female” with very strong female leads at the center of it. 

You've also recently directed a TV series. Can you tell us about that? And where can people see your films and your series? 

CARLOS: Yes, it’s called The Kouncil. I came in to direct all the episodes and really set the look & tone for the comedy. Katie Florence developed the concept on TikTok where it took off and Peacock helped her adapt it for television. Please watch it — it’s hysterical. 

Why is it so important for filmmakers to attend film festivals like Sunscreen and Cannes? 

CARLOS: I think it’s important because at the end of the day we are a community and seeing each other is the best way to keep the momentum going in our careers. 

ABOUT CARLOS GUTIERUEZ:

Born and raised in Miami, Carlos V. Gutierrez did his undergraduate studies at Tufts University, where his honors thesis project, a documentary entitled JOURNEY INTO EXILE, garnered numerous awards in the festival circuits, including the NY Independent Film Festival and the World Fest Houston. After Tufts, Carlos was awarded a Graduate Fellowship to New York University's prestigious Master's Film Program. During his time at NYU, he won the DGA Student Film Awards as Best Latino Filmmaker for his short film SLEIGHT OF HAND, which was an official selection at the Palm Springs Film Festival and won several awards at the First Run Film Festival in New York City. He was also awarded the Grand Prize in the HBO Latino Film Festival Short Film Contest that resulted in his HBO short, LECHON, which was an official selection at the Slamdance Film Festival. Both LECHON and SLEIGHT OF HAND were purchased and aired by the Sí TV network. SLEIGHT OF HAND was also sold nationally in the U.S. with the Sony Playstation (PSP) in a short film compilation titled: ShortsPlay. While still a student at NYU, Carlos' commercial, TYPECASTING was awarded an Emmy for Best PSA.

Carlos' NYU thesis film, WET FOOT/DRY FOOT, was nominated for the Student Academy Awards by the AMPTP, and was also selected as winner of the Showtime Network's Latino Filmmakers Showcase. Carlos' follow-up film ESCONDIDO was produced by Showtime, premiered on the Showtime Networks. His feature screenplay BLACK & BLUE, was named one of three finalists in the FADE IN Awards for Best Feature Screenplay. Carlos' screenplay SELF STORAGE was runner-up in the BREAKING WALLS Screenplay Contest. His recent short films include VINO TINTO, which won the In Focus Award at the Miami International Film Festival, and MIAMI BEACH, a promotional film for Bacardi & SLS Hotels. Carlos' feature film thriller LOCKED IN (starring Mena Suvari & Jeff Fahey) will be released theatrically. He is set to film his next thriller OPEN HOUSE, which he wrote & directed, by the end of the year. In addition, Mr. Gutierrez is also a published poet having twice received the Editor's Choice Award from The International Library of Poetry.

Interview by Vanessa McMahon