Crystal Correa

“I went to ECPI in Virginia Beach, while I was living in Norfolk, VA. where I completed an associate’s degree in Computer Science - Web Development. I wanted to have a degree that would help me get my business, whatever it turned out to be, to the next level. My cosmetology work also really helped, because if you don’t market yourself in hair, you don’t make money. All of that background experiences has come in handy as I promote my work and connect with other artists and potential collaborators. I know what I need to do and how to design different “looks” for each of my other projects. It’s nice to know the steps I need for marketing. The whole process is fun and I really enjoying being able to explain what I need from my team, because I developed that strong collaborative foundation in school, so we can work to build something awesome together. Even after school, I kept my education going by learning more about Photoshop and Flash, and from mastering those fundamentals, I learned how to edit on my own. From there I learned Final Cut Pro and now I work with DaVinci Resolve. I love to paint, and being able to easily color-grade with it changed my world.”

“I have always been involved with theater, and have been acting since I was a kid. I love the entire field, and I love storytelling – to be able to control what a viewer watches and enjoys is a dream come true. When I was a kid, I didn’t know what the correct terms or what all the different departments were in filmmaking. I wanted to learn about the process, but my parents wanted me to make sure I could “pay my bills” and “ focus in school.” So I decided to do a trade job, cosmetology, and learn everything I could about film on the down-low. Some people have bad boyfriends that they hide from their parents, but I had filmmaking. I never stopped grinding and believing in my passion to be a storyteller, I just led a true double life until I moved to LA without asking permission. When I got here, I started to write the stories out on paper and adapt them into screenplays so we could start filming. I started with a commercial, then a short, and now a web-series. Now that I’m finished with that, my work has been getting featured in festivals, and I am ready to take on more.”

“At heart, I’m a self-taught guerrilla filmmaker who can see a project through from beginning to end. Now that I’ve tackled writing, producing, directing, editing, and color work, the thing I’m working on now is learning to trust my team so I can focus on getting more projects going at the same time. Thanks to my Mom, I work like a chef who cooks all the different parts of a meal at the same time, but is able to move around the kitchen with ease. She always knows what’s going on and when to pull things out before they get overdone. I get that strategic style of thinking and multitasking from her – it’s definitely helped me get this far! And now I am finally being able to share my story and keep growing not just as a filmmaker, but a respected filmmaker. Even my family has accepted it and are finally proud of me.”

“My parents were not supportive at first. They’re supportive now. They’ve come a long way, and I completely understand where they were coming from, but I have a very traditional Puerto Rican family where no one does film. In traditional Puerto Rican culture, women are expected to get married and have kids and they believe strongly in things like “obey your husband.” I didn’t follow these rules. My parents have had a different upbringing – there’s a big generational difference on how they view creative work. I challenged everything and figured out how “things work.” It’s always been in my blood – I know I was built for this field. My parents disapproved of my film work until I finished Crystal…they loved it, they cried after they watched it. Then I became a Mom, so we’re all on the same page.”

“I think what’s important now is that I don’t let the past hold me back. I know my parents wanted to protect me, and make sure I could take care of myself, and I get it. If I keep re-living that time in my life, it would destroy any chance I have to keep going. Staying upset is an option. I choose to look at the bigger picture. Back then, they had no knowledge of the film industry and still don’t. They trust me, that I know what I’m doing, and that I’m staying on track. It also helps that I started my own production company with family in mind. Family means a lot to me. So any decision I make for my brand, business, team, and life is based on the core values that my family taught me. Respect is huge and we have that coming from all ends.”

“My biggest influence is simply real people. Just people-watching my whole life has really started to pay off. When you pay attention to the world every day, it’s a show. It’s a gift. I watch the news and check out memes and that’s great too. Going back to being that new kid no one wanted to be friends with helped me just enjoy the show, because I wasn’t involved directly with any of the issues, so it was easier for me to enjoy observing whatever situation was going on. I got to see the same story play out from a totally different perspective. Now I use film to let others enjoy my way of viewing the world. I loved shows like Mad TV and anything that makes fun of everyday topics and people. More recently, I really liked New Girl, especially because it reminded me of myself and my friends. I love Superstore too – my favorite is the inserts of everyday people that they do throughout the show to really showcase the environment and setting.”

“Honestly, my comedy style is just me being me. What’s really great is that comedy is the perfect genre for my storytelling style, so I can get people to relate and understand to my work. Sometimes people get it, but if it doesn’t stick now, that’s cool too. Maybe come back in six months, re-watch it, and it’ll click. I write everything with the idea that comedic moments can be timeless and fun to watch over and over. The jokes keep coming and building even after filming. I also like to leave Easter eggs or inside jokes in my films. Something I do this through the paintings in the show – you can see them in the background in different episodes. I wanted to do that to remember what got me into art, so I don’t forget. In a way, it’s like a security blanket.”

“Also, Melissa McCarthy is a boss.”

“My first ever job in the industry was on a movie set doing hair. It was a historical drama set in Williamsburg, VA. That was the only movie I will ever do hair for. Never again. I gave it my all, but the whole time I wanted to learn about all the other departments and eventually get into the director’s chair. I loved being on set and surrounded by all of it – the making of the movie. It was a matter of figuring out how to get to where I needed to be.”

“I still do hair! That job pays really well. My parents were right about me doing a trade job. I’ve been doing hair for over 14 years, so I rent out a chair and manage my time really well. The rest of the time, I focus on my future projects and networking. I’ve written a pilot for Crystal and now we’re working on getting some investors in the mix. I need to revisit the pilots of other stories that I put on the back burner. I’m also doing a marketing project/comedic series called Neighborhood Nights based on the salon that I work at.”

“I would love to be an executive producer. That’s my end game, but I know I have a long way to go I’m willing to do what I have to do without changing my core. I’ve always been one to look out for others, and in an executive producer role, I know that’s what I’ll do – I’ll do whatever is best for the project. And like I said before, it’s hard for me to follow someone else’s vision. That being said, I’m still a team player and willing to help in whatever lane needs it. It’s always about the bigger picture for me. One of my strengths is being able to set my ego aside to focus on a project and help it succeed. Also, the chance to help future young filmmakers and storytellers would be a dream come true.”

“Painting was my first love. I loved being able to tell a story or convey a message through art. They show you a color wheel in beauty school, but it helps a lot if you’re into painting. It gave me a super solid foundation for correcting hair, and now film, all using the same fundamental tools. Painting is why I feel in loving with being a colorist, because now I can get my fix with DaVinci Resolve. I get to paint through film now – it’s the next level.”