Cinematographer | Filmmaker
As a child, I would craft my own narratives inspired by the beloved heroes I adored: He-Man, Voltron, Transformers, Thundercats, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. My father imparted the art of coloring within the lines of coloring books, while my mother nurtured my ability to bring characters to life on paper. She instilled in me a love for reading, which heightened my capacity to deeply understand and interpret characters within stories.
Family trips across the desert landscape to visit my grandmother in Chihuahua, Mexico, ignited an enduring spark of inspiration within me. My uncle, who happened to own a video camcorder, occasionally entrusted me with the task of capturing our family gatherings. In hindsight, it all started to fall into place, but the idea of becoming a filmmaker didn’t fully blossom until much later.
It was my profound love for music, a passion that ignited during my teenage years, that ultimately stoked the flames of my creative drive. Watching music videos on MTV became a transformative experience, awakening my fascination with the seamless blend of visual and auditory elements in film.
During my high school years, my 11th-grade English teacher introduced our class to the short film “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” After witnessing this cinematic masterpiece, I knew unequivocally that a career in filmmaking was my destiny.
Upon entering college, I eagerly delved into shooting and crafting short films. At the outset, I tried my hand at every aspect of filmmaking, from writing to directing, editing to animation, music composition to sound design. Yet, it was when I stood behind the camera that I discovered where my true passion lay.
I pursued my academic journey at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Digital Media in 2004. Presently, I dedicate myself as a full-time videographer for the local school district in my hometown of Chula Vista, California. I consistently produce short public service announcements and district-related promotional videos in this role.
Beyond my daytime responsibilities, I’ve been fortunate to carve out extra time to hone my craft. I’ve worked on various projects, including shooting documentaries for Fox Deportes, creating social media content for Facebook, contributing to the Copa América Centenario (2016), and collaborating on independent music videos, short films, and feature-length endeavors. I’m perpetually open to fresh collaborations and find my greatest joy in the company of my beloved son.
OMAR DE LEÓN 