We caught up with filmmaker and director Emily Aguilar. Emily has created her own path in the male-dominated film industry. A true maverick, she started her own production company, The MomentEM Productions. Here, Emily shares how she continues to boldly forge ahead while staying grounded.
Modern Audacity: Tell us a bit about yourself.
Emily Aguilar: I’m an award-winning Latina film director in Los Angeles known for creating emotional impact for my audience in narrative films. I’m the founder and director of The MomentEM Productions, which produces films, commercials, and online video content.
Currently, at twenty-five years old, I have directed and produced three feature films. My first feature film, “Clara’s Ultimate Christmas,” was just released in various online stores, including Amazon, Target, and ChristianBook.com. My second feature film, “Pipeline,” a horror film, is getting ready to enter the festival circuit.
My third feature, “Brie’s Bake Off Challenge,” which was shot this past summer, is now in postproduction. I created The MomentEM Productions to change the status quo of female filmmakers in the industry.
MA: Tell us more about your production company.
EA: The MomentEm Productions is all about telling a compelling story, creating an emotional impact with the audience, and capturing moments on screen that people won’t forget.
Building momentum is one of the most important things that I always make sure is present when creating impactful films and video content, which is why I decided to coin my company The MomentEM Productions.
In addition to films, we specialize in creating unique and engaging commercials, promos, and videos for businesses. We also offer videography and photography services for clients. All of our services enable business owners to show what their business is all about on a personal level, resulting in them raking in new customers.
Emily directing the short film “My Brother’s War.” Photo by Jamie Goto
Emily directing the short film “My Brother’s War.” Photo by Jamie GotoMA: How did you get started in the film business?
EA: My journey began when I moved to LA — on my own — seven years ago. I always knew I wanted to work in the entertainment industry, but I never thought about being a director. I had never seen a woman direct at that point in my life, so I thought, “Why would I?”
It wasn’t until I was in film school at LMU [Loyola Marymount University] that they challenged me to direct my first short film, called “Reminiscence.” I remember being afraid and anxious when my teacher told me that I was going to direct my script, but I directed and produced the film despite my fear and anxiety.
Directing my first short film was the best experience I ever had — seeing my vision, script, and characters come to life on-screen; it was such a wonderful experience creating this story. From there, I was hooked! I kept directing and producing projects as much as I could while working at a production company all throughout college. I created The MomentEM Productions right before I graduated college, and here I am today.
MA: What were some challenges that you experienced along the way?
EA: There were so many struggles I experienced along the way. One of the biggest struggles at the very beginning of my journey was the fact that I lived in LA, on my own, without any immediate family.
I am the youngest of four, and my family is very close. Leaving them was the hardest thing I’ve ever done to this day. I still currently live on my own in LA, but they are very supportive of my directing career and it just makes my visits with them even more special.
Another struggle I constantly faced was the fact that I was always the only Latin female member in my workplace or on set. Starting out, I was the assistant director on a lot of shoots for the company I worked for, and I really had to learn how to control a set while being in a room full of predominantly men who are older than me, plus making sure that everyone was on the same page in order to have a smooth shoot.
Even though it wasn’t easy, I’m happy that I went through these experiences because they just made me a stronger filmmaker and pushed me to get the things I wanted.
MA: Tell us about the boldest, craziest thing that you’ve ever done to make your dreams happen.
EA: The boldest, craziest thing I’ve ever done was literally pack my suitcases and fly across the country to a place I’d never been to pursue a career in film. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever done!
Thinking back on it now, I can’t believe I did that. I left everything I knew and loved in Virginia — my wonderful family, my beautiful home, my close friends, everything.
I did all of that to move to an empty, small apartment in LA with cranky roommates. But I knew I had to be in LA to pursue my career in the entertainment industry, so I had to leave everything behind to make that happen.
I’m still here in LA, working hard every day towards my goals of directing award-winning feature films and creating amazing content. And luckily, my family and friends back home are super supportive and only a phone call away.
Emily with the cast and crew of “Brie’s Bake Off Challenge.” Photo by Emily Vitek
Emily with the cast and crew of “Brie’s Bake Off Challenge.” Photo by Emily VitekMA: We often only see the glimmering success stories. Let’s keep things real for our readers. What was your process like? What were some of the struggles and hardships?
EA: There were many. One of the biggest hardships that I went through, and I know a lot of people go through, especially in LA, was working a low-paying job while struggling to make the time to do what you love. We all know LA is expensive.
Starting out, I needed to find a way to pay my bills and still make time to write and produce scripts that I wanted to direct. I created a chart that had my goals, but it also had a list of things I needed to do in order to make each goal a reality. One of the things on that list was getting a part-time job.
I put that sheet up on my wall and kept looking for opportunities. It took time, but I eventually found a part-time job at a production company that paid me enough to pay the bills and gave me time to make the movies I wanted to make. From there, I was able to learn and work at the same time, and years later, venture out into creating my own production company.
MA: How did you stay motivated throughout your journey?
EA: I do a lot of things to stay motivated. First and foremost, I make sure I have days off during the week. It’s tough to do and I didn’t always think this, but having days off just to relax and recharge is really important.
I also create different types of vision boards and put them up in various places around my home. I plan out my goals and to-dos in different calendars for the year and break them down into months and weeks. I put those up around the home as well so that I don’t forget what is absolutely necessary to accomplish my goals.
This is a great way to make sure I stay on track, and it also helps me see the big picture for where the tasks will eventually lead me. One other thing I do that is really important is that I am constantly talking to my family, who are continuously pushing me and cheering me on. I would not be able to do anything that I’ve accomplished without their love and support.
Being able to call them on my worst days is probably the biggest motivator for me to stay determined and to have the energy to keep moving forward in my directing journey.
MA: Who did you lean on for support throughout your journey? Do you still lean on the same tribe?
EA: I have my family, of course, that has always supported me. I also have a number of close friends that I lean on as well. These are people I can call on the most difficult days. They are up-to-date with the things that I’m working towards, and always answer, even with a text if they can’t answer at the moment. You need that strong support base when trying to accomplish a big goal.
MA: Who were/are some of your mentors?
EA: I have a lot of mentors for many different aspects of my life. Because I’m the youngest of four, I consider my two older sisters my mentors. They mentor me in what to do about life, finances, or even my wardrobe.
I also have mentors who are successful producers and directors who have done the things that I want to do and guide me along the way. There are so many paths to take, especially for a film director, which is why I’m thankful for the mentors I’ve come across that support my directing career.
MA: What were some mistakes that you made along the way?
EA: I know I have made so many mistakes along the way; but honestly, I don’t like to think about them. Whenever I make mistakes, it always ruins my day. I feel sick for about an hour or so, sometimes longer. But after that, I move on.
I have learned so many things from all of my mistakes, and I always make sure that I don’t make the same mistake twice. When something goes wrong in my day, I have to figure out a way to get it out of my system emotionally, learn from it, and move on. No looking back.
MA: What was your big breakthrough moment?
EA: My biggest breakthrough moment was when I finally decided not to care what anyone thought and just make my films. The day I realized that, my life changed completely.
Before this, I felt like an invisible wall of people’s opinions was holding me back. In reality, that was a misconception I had made in my mind. It doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing or saying. As long as I’m writing, producing, directing films, and creating content, I’m on the right path for what I want to accomplish.
Emily on the set of “My Brother’s War.”Photo by Jamie Goto
Emily on the set of “My Brother’s War.”Photo by Jamie GotoMA: Did you almost give up at any point? What led up to almost giving up? How did you persevere?
EA: There were moments in my life when I just felt terrible because of the situations or circumstances happening at the time. Multiple things in my life were just not going the way I wanted, and I didn’t know how to handle them.
The way I persevered through this terrible feeling is by walking away from the situation, taking a breather, writing in my journal, and being with family and friends.
Whenever I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed, one thing that always helps is actually watching a movie. It helps distract my mind from the hardships and struggles. Sometimes some scenarios are more stressful than others, but having a support system and doing something to actively get my mind off the negativity is the best thing that helps me to move forward and to keep creating content.
MA: What is something that you wish you had known when starting out?
EA: I wish I had known how to meditate when I started out. I learned how to meditate just a couple of years ago, but I’ve just started meditating more frequently in the past year or so. Learning how to fully relax and knowing in my mind that everything will be OK is something I wish I knew that would have helped me a lot in my earlier years.
MA: What advice do you have for people starting out?
EA: For those who are just starting out in the industry, definitely don’t let fear get in the way of doing the things you want to do. Fear is nothing but an emotion. It’s OK to be afraid, but don’t avoid doing something because of it.
Getting out of your comfort zone is a great thing. Make sure that you have a tribe or small group of people that you can go to whenever you’re not having a good day. Doing the work, creating projects, and being persistent are the key factors to being successful in this industry. No matter what, keep creating content.
MA: What does audacity mean to you?
EA: Audacity, to me, means the freedom to do what you want to do and not be sorry about it. It means taking control of your life, and making choices — some more difficult than others — for yourself, your future, and for the betterment of others in your community.
Connect with Emily at:
Instagram: @themomentem
Facebook: @themomentem
Twitter: @themomentemm
LinkedIn: @emilyaguilar
Website: themomentem.com
