We had the good fortune of connecting with Ramon J Montoya and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ramon J, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
When I was a child my parents introduced me to oldies music like Richie Valens, The Temptations, Otis Redding, Old Spanish love songs and Mariachi. My mother often wrote poetry while my Father sang ballads from his child hood in the kitchen as he cooked. I started to sing after I saw the movie “La Bamba” my parents always told me I would be a great singer one day. From then on I would quickly learn songs and sing all day long. At school, work, walking, sitting. Always singing and writing songs. My father sang when he was younger and I grew up watching him create his own radio show as a disk jockey a.k.a a Dj today or Radio Personality. He would record his voice on a tape recorder as if he was the radio host and introduce songs he would record into a mix tape. That recorder introduced me to technology. I went from writing to tape recorders to turntables to recording studios which led to professional cinematography.
Always no matter the format I would put my child hood memories of my parents in love living their dream in their small two bedroom house singing and writing. It was a simple dream but it made them happy. I wanted that and more so with my mind filled with ambition I joined the military to change my poverty stricken environment and hopefully make a difference in the world. I knew I could earn money for school. As a Marine I continued to learn to work with different cultures and personalities which came easy to me because of my up bringing also because the arts and music bring people together. The discipline I learned from the Marines I molded into my art. My squad became my Film Crew. My mission became reaching people through film, video, content.
I worked for a small graphics company filming concerts with A list artists, local clubs promoting the new hot venue. Eventually I went to school to study film but I was always teaching myself by reading and studying old movies to figure out lighting setups and camera blocking. I am addicted to film and creating. Late nights of editing and learning. My Wife usually sleeps on the couch she tells me to wake her up when I am done. Typically I am not done editing or messing with a camera until after 3 a.m. or later.
My Wife has encouraged my work since we met. She was 19 I was 24. We both fell in love instantly. One date and on that same date she moved in with me and never left. We only knew each other online for a week. it has been 15 years this September. In that time she helped me carry camera gear, deal with patrons, email creative, order flights for promoters, boxers etc. If she didn’t have my back I don’t think I would keep pushing. I promised her I will earn an Award in a Film just for her.
Through my time I have met many people who I have connected with learning about their life and struggles. Character for few scripts of my own are woven into my head when people open up to me. I have a few credits under my imdb film page Ramon J Montoya. Last summer, I flew to New York to work cinematography on a Horror Film called “Dungeon” by Andy Bowels who is an up and coming actor and close friend. The movie should be hitting Film Festivals later this year. We have high hopes because it has a very interesting storyline set in New York. Filming working with cast and crew is always a good time but can be stressful. The fun part after production is attending the festivals where we can dress. All the long nights, days of filming and stress come to a calm night of enjoying the work created with talented people of the same craft.
I stay busy for me every day is an opportunity to grow to learn. The big idea is around the corner. Currently I am editing a boxing documentary. It is 3 years in the making following a local talent, his up and downs in the business. I also have two other documentaries which I did cinematography on One is called “Sons of God” and the other is on the Rapture. My daughters are actors in their own write. From babies I introduced them to acting, cameras, the art of it all. Their personalities are very unique. They keep me young and up to date on culture.
For me I will continue to film until I break the ceiling. I want to inspire people, make them cry, laugh and get in touch with themselves and the people around them. We need to learn from each other in order to prosper together. My films one day will hopefully do that so people can be as happy as my Parents were.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Cinematography is a visual of what a photography would be only it is a moving photography. Hence the term in movies Director of Photography. I am driven by frames like a photograph in my films. Finding the right angle, frame, moment of pain, loss, love temperature or silence. Then lighting the scene with color, props and actors to tell the story of that one particular photograph only in a Film. I love the possibilities’ of how the audience may interpret the art, the script the visuals etc.
Professionally I am here because I understand how to fail. You must fail big. Without failure you will never have success so don not brush off failure look at it as an opportunity to learn. What didn’t work today may or may not work tomorrow or on another film. Every failure will mold you into the creator you were made to be because we change too. We start one way and end up another in the end.
I have learned to also take a creative break because burn out is real. Walk away find a physicals hobby to fine tune your body and mind so the creative will be re need and fresh when you are ready to return.
You have to be sincere about your kindness and help others without wanting anything in return. People feel that. Sometimes they call you back or add you to a film. Sometimes they don’t and that’s okay. Keep working. Keep failing the success will come.
I want the world to see my films and understand the messages which they can only see indirectly through film. Film is a place where you don’t feel judged. Just understood. A film can bring people together and say its okay because other people suffer too and you are not alone. I want people to know my films are a good place to laugh, fall in love again and believe in tomorrow.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love living here in Dallas. Born here in 1983 and I am still very much a kid. My friend would love this place it is constantly growing and changing.
Monday I would start with Grand Prairie 15 mins outside of Dallas. We would go for a morning workout at Epic Gym. Followed by a wonderful healthy breakfast at First Watch. Afterwards a 15 min drive north to Grapevine Mall a mega mall with everything. We would end the evening a Hugos Invitados in Los Colinas. The atmosphere is fun lively and a good place to dress up for a date or just casual fun. There is an ice cream shop next to it where we would walk around the water fountains and enjoy the night.
Tuesday Cedar Hill has a great nature preserve to run and hike full of hills and trees with an awesome view at the end. Best time to go is before the sun comes up. Its like running while nature wakes up. For Lunch Trinity Groves for sure. There is a great Chinese restaurant called Sum Dang. Next a walk through Margret Hunt Suspension Bridge for some selfies of the Dallas Skyline.
Wed Bishop Arts a.k.a. North Oak Cliff We would walk around the shops here, get lunch at Cafe Brazile and stop by the Comic book store Dinner at the Oasis on Joe Pool Lake they usually have a live band playing. The lake right outside your window.
Thursday Lets go to the lake rent a big boat and drive around feeling the water splash against us, maybe some volley ball after a bbq lunch. When the sun goes down we can play in the man made beach and get a glimpse of the moon.
Friday Klyde Warren Park . What a vibrant park full of live, people, dogs. We can just lay in the grass looking up at the large buildings and eat the great food from the roach coaches. Afterwards a stroll through the art museum. They always have a new event to see.
Saturday Waco Lets drive south to Waco for the day and shop in historic downtown, eat at the Magnolia Silos and check out the homes from the Fixer Upper tv show. Evening maybe a show at the Dallas symphony or head out to Ft Worth Stockyards. Put on a Cowboy hat and dance the night away.
Sunday Church and Rest
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to Shout Out two of my Colleagues for giving me an opportunity to work with them on their Films and trusting me with bringing their projects to life from script to film. Filmmaking is an on hand, daily learning process. There exist many different variables of technical and social lessons which one can only learn on film sets. I have watched Andy Bowles and Larry Stanley, Direct large film crews from pre production meetings to film production to Festivals. It is a massive accomplishment to make it to a Film Festival and Film Distribution. If they did not bring me into their own expertise I wouldn’t of picked up the baton and kept pushing for my own personal projects. Andy’s acts and directs with a very precise formula with a driven work ethic which I rarely see on film sets. This man will work the logistics of a film production before the sun comes up, film, act all day then, when the crew and actors leave for the night Andy, will stay up until 5 a.m. editing or going over the next days production. Then he is the first one up ready to go before the crew and actors show up. A film set with Andy Bowels (APB Productions) is intense but very personal because, he takes care of his Crew and Actors. Films are about people. Good films need good stories but they need good directors to get the right performance. I have watched Larry Stanley operate for years as a filmmaker and producer. Larry can work any deal any contract, produce last minute results under pressure. In an industry full of ego Larry, has He has the ability to work around logistical nightmares and social disputes. I am grateful for their go getter attitudes and love of people.
Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7573996/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montoya_media/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RamonJMontoya
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ramon.j.montoya1
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs5yJPRm87uEBKlWp5JYSCQ
Other: tik tok https://www.tiktok.com/@montoya.media
Image Credits
I Ramon J Montoya as Montoya Media own the rights to these photos