Today we’d like to introduce you to Diego Silva.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m Diego Silva Acevedo, a filmmaker born in Colombia, South America. I became interested in filmmaking while watching Jurassic Park. I was nine years old. I fell in love with the magic and was amazed that people were able to create fake worlds. That pushed me to study Mechatronic Engineering, I wanted to be able to do animatronics.
As I received my degree, everything in the industry was turning digital, I moved to Spain and received a master’s degree in animation 3D and modelling 3D. The degree opened the possibility for me to work on a movie set as a visual effects artist. I worked to match the digital light with the real light this opened doors and I became a DP of VFX scenes. Step by step, I grew as a DP. In 2014 I did my first feature film as a DP and it was released in theatres in Spain.
After the premiere, I directed my first short film. “Helena” is a film about breast cancer and how this cancer has changed the lives of many women. I really liked directing. I moved back to Venezuela where I did music videos and more short films. Finally, I moved to the United States, and I started working with Mundo Hispanico. I have earned 9 Emmys since coming to the United States. I also created my own production company Seven Studios Production. In 2019, I filmed first feature film as a Director. In 2020 after many months of dealing with all kinds of troubles with the pandemic, I finally filmed “Hunting Souls.” In April 2022 “Hunting Souls” was released and is currently showing on digital platforms, Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu, Direct TV, etc.
I also married to Kelly Young-Silva who is an Atlanta Acting Coach and have a beautiful baby boy. My plan is to remain in the United States and grow. I am thankful to do what I love.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like most filmmakers, I started with no earnings and no recognition. When I moved to the United States, I could not speak English at all, I have been learning the language and the culture. It has not been easy, however, I continue to show my work and step by step my work has been receiving recognition.
My movie ‘Hunting Souls” reaching its completion was pure determination. During the production of “Hunting Souls,” just two days before principal photography started. The world shut down due to an unknown virus that we now know as Covid. That was the most difficult moment I have gone through financially. I was first told by the union that I would have to pay the actors. I was devastated this left us with empty pockets and with no movie. I had my first chance to do a feature film and I was gonna finish broken. After months of conversations and emails back and forth with SAG-AFTRA, they decided that I would not have to pay anything. It was a relief but still I lost money. I had also quit my job to do the movie, I was with no possibilities to generate money. The only choice was to cut departments and get back to work on the movie. I returned to production and low and behold covid showed its ugly face on set. We had to shut down production one more time. In December 2020, we finished the production of “Hunting Souls.” I personally consider myself a little stubborn, but as a filmmaker, you have to keep pushing to get through it. I have learned many lessons and I am grateful to my team and the experience.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a filmmaker, Film Director and Producer. I’m known for my feature film “Hunting Souls” and the awards that I have received from my work with Mundo Hispánico, NFL, NASCAR, etc.
What sets me apart from others is my passion for what I do, I love my work and that helps me to spend the time necessary to make my work the best I can.
What are you most proud of? My determination, being Latino in a new country with no English and being able to work and continue to grow.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The industry is changing rapidly, it is becoming an industry where everyday people can make content and you have to find the ways to stand out. I’m looking forward to the challenge and to see how far I can grow. I feel grateful for the opportunities that I have and lie ahead.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.diegosilvaacevedo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diegosilvaace/
- Twitter: @diegosky_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc39_mT3s0SKeaFjrq5JJvg
Image Credits
Kaptura Media, Ray Sensation, Heather Parady
