By Eric Bacarella, For Triton’s Call

Jimmy Santiago Baca, a renowned screenwriter, executive producer and poet, shared his knowledge and passion for filmmaking and media production to the eager ears of future aspiring filmmakers and writers on Oct. 15 of 2015.

Santiago pointed out key aspects to success not just in filmmaking and media production, but also life in general. He said the importance of just doing something and further gave a reality check when he asked the attentive audience how many can say the same thing? Santiago used his influential speech, which can be seen in his exceptional poetry, to influence members of the audience to strive for success.

In terms of work etiquette, Santiago stressed the importance of not just taking any and everything that comes your way but rather says to back it up just a little bit. He stated that working on ones passion for a sort of self-satisfaction outweighs the benefits of strictly monetary gain. The audience was left in was a state of awe after he made this point.

Santiago and his unique ways of commitment proved to be a key take away by the students and faculty in attendance. It showed a side of humanity not so present in modern day pop culture. The feeling left a lingering sense of devotion to one’s craft to the audience, not one that exalts the “norm,” but one that opens the true heart and soul of passion, no matter what it is. One women in the audience stated “It is like a throw up of emotions.”

When it comes to originality, Santiago expressed a sincere sense in independent filmmaking and just how intricate it can be. He advised those in attendance to not take themselves so seriously. He communicated this to the audience by explaining how Hollywood film making simply fill in the dotted lines while independent film making enables true expression of oneself; which is far more valuable.

Santiago also shared the importance of two key points for success in production: the story and how you tell the story. He put the audience on the spot by asking how we would tell the story that was burning inside us. Anxiety seemed to shift to the audience with this unexpected turn while generic answers flowed, but Santiago used this to incorporate a point of self-awareness and truth that comes from within.

Santiago covered the areas of media production that subtly gain attention with his unique play and words and influence that begs the audience to ask the question, “am I an individual or a mere copy of pop culture?”

It is clear that when it comes to the ability of Santiago and his persona of individuality, he really urges aspiring media producers, as well as anybody in general, to pursue passion and truth over the blind following of modern day social influence and really become your own person.