Where do you currently work/what is your occupation?
I currently am a Video Producer at Duncan Enterprises here in Fresno.
Are you from Fresno? Where are you from originally?
I’m originally from Firebaugh, on the westside, but I came to high school here in Fresno. Mainly because we didn’t have a McDonald’s in Firebaugh.
What are some of your hobbies?
A recent hobby of mine is seeing how many episodes of Wings I can watch before I have to walk away from the television. I’m hoping to make it through the entire series in one sitting by the end of the year.
How did you first hear about Fresno Filmworks? How long have you been involved?
I heard about Filmworks through an underground fight club I was active in a few years ago. Those were some dark days but the enlightenment I couldn’t find in blood-soaked matches in the tunnels of Chinatown, I found catching Fresno Filmwork movies. They really turned my life around.
What’s your favorite film you’ve seen at Filmworks?
Art & Copy a few years back really struck a chord with me, still one of my faves.
What other types of films do you enjoy?
Pretty much everything. Except anything by Uwe Bol. That guy is just garbage.
I know you’re the co-founder of Swede Fest, the DIY local short film festival, along with current Filmworks co-chair Bryan Harley. Filmworks is a sponsor of the event. What’s it like to re-create your Hollywood favorites with your fellow film-loving volunteers?
It’s a great way to connect with others that have the same passion and love for film and filmmaking. When you get a bunch of creatives in a room to brainstorm ideas, it’s truly an amazing and fulfilling experience. Minus the cardboard paper cuts.
You served for a while on the Filmworks Board Marketing Committee and currently volunteer as the designer of most of Filmworks’ regular printed materials. What have been some of your favorite memories from those two experiences?
From the board members to the community that comes out to the screenings, being around people who want to celebrate and express their love for film is truly invigorating and serves as a motivating factor of continuing to be involved with the organization. Forging those friendships in doing so has to be my favorite part of volunteering.
What else do you enjoy about volunteering?
Besides working with the fine Filmworks board folks, the knowledge that I have helped, even a little bit, in bringing new film experiences to Fresno really makes it worth it.
What would you say to others who may be interested in Filmworks? Why should they come out/get involved?
If you like films and want to share your love of the medium with others, stop posting recommendations on social media and get involved with REAL people bringing REAL films to a historic theatre. Plus it’ll give you an excuse to get out of the house and see that there are, in fact, other things to do than just watch Wings on repeat. I mean it’s a great show but there’s more to life than just watching Wings, as I’ve learned.
Filmworks thanks our January 2018 volunteers:
Gloria Burrola, Nené Casares, Jol Devitro, John Dunning, Linda Hernandez, Neal Howard, Carl Johnsen, Kathryn Johnsen, Richard Markley, Anne McGowan, Conde McGowan, Luis Ojeda, Gene Richards, Roque Rodriguez
Filmworks thanks our February 2018 volunteers:
Cleo Bauer, Gloria Burrola, Nené Casares, John Dunning, Judy Haber, Karen Hammer, Rebecca Horwitz, Neal Howard, Carl Johnsen, Kathryn Johnsen, Richard Markley, Monica Marks, Dotty Mora, Steve Ohanesian, Luis Ojeda, Dominic Papagni, Gene Richards, Roque Rodriguez, Lorraine Tomerlin
To meet our past volunteers in the spotlight and to find out how you can volunteer with Filmworks, visit our volunteer page.