Mario J. Novoa
“The thing I always recommend filmmakers to do is to experience life. And they have to really look within themselves, to not be afraid to take on things in their own personal journey–because that’s what makes you a better storyteller.”
Before making his way to Hollywood and graduating from The Los Angeles Film School’s film program in 2004, Activist/Director/Producer/Writer Mario J. Novoa had already been pursuing his passion via his own unique journey. While still in high school in Victorville, CA he worked as an assistant director for school productions, where he learned the art of stage direction, production management, and acting. He was also the first president of the school’s drama club.
He was awarded a scholarship to the summer program, UCLA Media Workshops and in 1999, he was given an opportunity to further learn the process of filmmaking through Film Independent’s “Project: Involve,” a diversity mentoring program managed by Director/Producers Pamela Tom and Lorette Bayle as well as entertainment executive and former CEO of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) Dawn Hudson. It was here that Mario attended workshops led by screenwriter Joseph Stefano (Psycho), film editor Zach Staenberg (The Matrix trilogy), executive producer Mark Ordesky ( The Lord of the Rings trilogy).
Mario had the privilege of being mentored by Miguel Arteta (American Horror Story, The Office, Ugly Betty) throughout the length of the six-month program. Miguel shared his philosophy and insight into filmmaking, also inviting Mario to the set of his production of NBC’s Freaks and Geeks.
It was Film Independent that led Mario to The Los Angeles Film School, by awarding him the Barbara Boyle Scholarship to attend our producing program. It was here that he was able to further develop his directing, producing, and marketing skills.
While at LAFS, Mario got to work with groundbreaking digital cameras, 35mm film, and learned the art of editing on Avid. His first internship while at LAFS, was with film director Gregory Nava (Selena, My Family, Frida).
He also produced five short films–two of which won an industry award.
“One thing that I love to do is work with actors. On the narrative filmmaking side, I get an opportunity to take the paint out and paint on a canvas and work with actors and bring out the truth in their character, and also encourage them to bring out their personality through that character.
A lot of that is very difficult work, but working with actors is a very special opportunity. Working with actors, working with a big crew, working with the camera, working with sound and making movies…that for me is…everything.”
In 2012, Mario J. Novoa developed “Film Bliss Studios” a film production company focused on producing features, shorts, and documentary films featuring diverse stories featuring people of color and the LGBT community, including: “L.A.: A Queer History“, “Nelly Queen: The Life and Times of Jose Sarria“, “The Miracle of Tony Davis“, “Nancy From Eastside Clover” (which won multiple awards), “ALC“, “TRONA“, “Ay Jose!“, and “The City of Mass Incarceration” , “Jeanne Cordova“, “An Odyssey” and “Game Day“.
“Film Directing allows me to tell a story with a bunch of other storytellers – cinematographers, sound mixers, production designers, line producers, creative producer, etc. Directing has been a devotion for me as I have studied techniques from various masters and have put them into practice, time and time again.”
Inspired by his own mentors and all that he learned at the Los Angeles Film School, Mario has also found time to inspire and teach the next generations of filmmakers via media production programs and theory at various institutions including: Los Angeles Film School, CalArts, Columbia College Hollywood, and Mt. San Jacinto College.
Latest news featuring Mario J. Novoa:
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