Pedro Vera shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Pedro, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Usually I start with waking up, at least on a good day. After reading the verse of the day from the Bible app, I’m off to the brew station to make the next highlight of my day, a black cup of coffee. With that aroma in the air, next it’s cooking breakfast and quiet time in the Word. Once done feeding soul and body, time to head off to work, creating exciting videos and fantastic films at Visceral Film Studios for our clients and fans.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Pedro Vera here at your service. I’m a Cuban-American Actor, Director, Producer here in the North Georgia area. Most of my work comes out of Visceral Film Studios, a production company that I own and operate. It’s there in which I record videos, promos and marketing materials for our business clients, as well as build and create narrative films and series for our fans and followers!
What I believe makes Visceral Film Studios unique is the approach we take with filming and creating our works. The name Visceral came from the idea of underlying truth. What is at the core of… this promo, commercial, or narrative series, and how can we cinematically bring that to the forefront. For example, a commercial can give off the impression of “oh they just want my money for a product they really don’t support or care about.” Which isn’t always the case. There are many business owners who started their business with a dream to help and serve others in that field. What we want to do is bring that story, that dream, that truth, to the lime light.
The same goes with our films and narrative works! Where is the truth in this script? What is the lesson to be learned from this character? How does this resonate with the universal experience of life that we all share? These are the questions we aim to ask and show in all of our works such as our short film Cafecito and our upcoming short A Change in Tone. Of course, we do have our more whimsical and fun YouTube series that just play around, like our fantasy world cooking show, A Taste of DorTalye. But even in our more light hearted works, there’s a true experience we all share. Feelings of joy, pain, grief, love and laughter.
Another aspect that gives VFS an edge, is our desire to collaborate with creatives in all levels of their artistic journey. We heavily collaborate with students from the University of North Georgia, my alma mater. But we also love collaborating with professionals that have been in the field for years.
As for me personally, my creative heart has always been with acting, both film and theatre. When I get the chance to act whether in a VFS project or an outside production, my heart skips and leaps. There’s just something about diving into another world and creating a whole new persona or character that just feels fulfilling for me. And when I get to anchor to that character’s shared experiences and then live through their eyes, it’s just so rewarding, cause I believe it allows me to further understand others in a way. And having been on stage or in front of a camera since 5 years old, I don’t believe performing will ever not be a part of my life.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
Definitely my mother and my gramps. I came from a single mother household. Thankfully my grandparents took us in to alleviate the bills and help during the younger years of my childhood. But my mother worked like a horse! She would wake up early spend time with me, then head off to her job as a teacher. Once she got off she’d come home spend time with me a bit more then head back out for night classes so she could work her way up into guidance counseling. But even through all the work and studying for her double masters, mind you, she always made time to spend with me and saved money to take me on crazy adventures to Disney World (we lived in Florida at the time) and train conventions (loved trains in my childhood).
As for my grandfather, I was the apple of his eye. He worked day and night, three different jobs, to make sure he provided for my mother, myself, and my little brother. And these were no easy jobs, I would know he would take me to them when I got off school. He would work in the hot Floridian sun as an HVAC mechanic, climbing ladders and cutting pipe. I learned many trade like skills from those days. But what really stuck with me was when he pulled me aside one day and told me, “Remember you’re never too good for any job, even scrubbing toilets, especially when you have a family to feed.” This was coming from a man who worked janitorial for the school system as second job and would spend his additional weekends serving this country in the army reserves.
I learned much about sacrifice, perseverance, and love from these two. And I hope to make them proud in my field of work, bringing those lessons and traits along with me.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Man, as an actor or really as a creative in general, not being good enough.
I’ve stood in front of crowds and on cameras all my life. My performance skills and chops have been sharpened by amazing Acting teachers and directors like Carrie Schrader and Jim Hammond of Gainesville Theatre Alliance. I’ve studied the art of filmmaking and storytelling from seasoned professionals like Jason Winn and Michael Lucker. My resume has credits from the Hunger Games, Homicide Hunter, and even a music video for Elton John! I’ve performed on many shorts and a few tv series. I’ve directed videos for King’s Hawaiian, RichLife Advisors, and many more.
But even with all those credits and experiences, the underlying fear of not being good enough will still creep up in my mind. I’ve probably lost many great roles to that fear and even greater opportunities because I didn’t take a leap of faith or thought I wasn’t good enough.
It wasn’t til recently that I learned to just throw that lie out of my mind. Both my younger brother, Charlie, and mother get the credit for pushing me on this front. They often remind me of what God has accomplished through me and has given me in this life. And that by allowing that fear to paralyze me, I’m doing both Him and myself a disservice.
Also I’ve learned that perfectionism is the death of creativity and growth. I’m on a journey and as long as I’m progressing, I’m doing well.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Faith and adventure. My close friend Wesley and I serve together on the AV team at Hopewell Baptist Church. And during the week we come together with my other friend and VFS coworker, Seth, to discuss how our walks with Christ has influenced our lives and what our struggles are, so we can be there for each other. They would both say that my faith in Jesus Christ is a core of who I am and a guide of what I do.
They would also say that adventure is another core of who I am. Naming themselves as the weights or anchors of reality to my venturesome balloon. Which works quite well at Visceral Film Studios, when I’m trying to suggest a wild new feature film or series and they’re considering a realistic budget and the manpower.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes. It wouldn’t be easy, because we all like to be recognized for our hard work and perseverance. But in all honesty, my work is done for an audience and service of One. My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And that point makes my projects easier to work on and realize. Because as long as I’m doing what glorifies Him, I know He’s smiling and that’s enough for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://visceralfilmstudios.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/pedro.j.vera
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedrojvera
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@visceralfilmstudios
- Other: Visceral Film Studios Instagram: http://instagram.com/visceralfilmstudios
Personal Website: http://pedrojvera.com
Image Credits
Ryan Davis Photography
