Meet Juan Velaasco | Production Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Juan Velaasco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Juan, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Since I was a kid I had the urge to create things, buid, draw, paint As I was growing up i thought it was directed to an engineering. Lately, when I was in college i found out that what actually called my name was Mexico. But while I was studying the major I started watching a lot of videos of special effects makeup. Something caugt my attention about it, I still can’t say what was it, but I noticed that I could use the same techniques that I was learning at my major for the things I was doing in makeup. Later on, one of my friends that was involved in the film industry got an opportunity for a short film as min makeup artist. She invited me to be her second in command. While on set I never experiences such a crazy experience. A lot of people working in just a room, everyone with a different task, all the things that changd and how people adapted acordingly to the situation. I was astonished by the way that everyone was doing their craft to finally end with a small clip of a couple seconds. When I finished the first day of the film I never felt happier and exited of going back the next day. Months later I had my first premier ever, Waching on the big scren the film that I worked in was a sensation that I can’t describe, a mixture of happiness, pride, exitement, etc. And when my name appeared on the credits I think I cried a little haha. That sensation is what I get everytime that I’m on set working on a film or a commercial. That is what keeps megoing back to that craziness and trying to get better. After a while working on makeup I moved to the Art department, mostly, as a prop master/maker.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think what sets me apart from others is my attitud towards work. Im always willing to work and do things as well as learning from others. My background as an international, helps me a lot to bring a different and fresh perspective to the projects I work on. I started my carrer in Mexico where I started as a makeup artist, move to practical effects and ended up on the art department a a set dresser and prop master. All this experience in the different departments help me develop a different perspective, which I use in every project I work on.

One of the things I’m really proud of, and amazed, is that my very first film where I was the second in command of the makeup effects department got me my fist award on the Hollywood Blood and Horror Fest. From there on I’ve been recognized in other festivals as a production designer. It has been a fun but long ride to get to where I am today. From changing majors, choosing art and design as a career, change paths againg to become a makeup artist, move to a different country to restart my career. It has not really been easy. The film industry is really complicated to get in, you need good contacts or knock on many doors untill someone open one for you. here in the states and in Mexico is the same is complicated to get in. I think one of the most complicated decisions I had to make was to move to the United States to study a masters and try my luck in this country. Leaving my family, friends, home, culture behind was so complicated I thougt many times on not comming here and once I was here I found myself thinking in many ocassions on going back. Is never easy been alone in a place you dont really know. But, fortunatelly I got my family support that helped me over come th loneliness, the struggle and gave me strenght to keep going and fight everyday for my dreams. My attitude towards life, work has been a blessing because it keeps me on ther mind of the people I work with. That helps me keep getting jobs and grow as an artist.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
live in Savannah, GA so, of course one of the thing we got to do is walk the river street. Im a big fan of museums so one of the main things to do would be visit te SCAD museum and the Telfair museum. Both are amazing always with exhibitions worth watching. For some good breakfast I would g to Dotties on Broughton st. although there are many options in that street to have some amazing food. If I want some good and refreshing drinks would deffinitely visit Mint to Be Mojito, for some delicious and refreshing drink. later on visit again mojito but heading to the “private restroom” that hapopens to be a speakeasy.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family first of all. They are the pilar in my life, without them I would not be where I am today. They supported me in my weird and crazy decisions as studing art, change majors, move to a different country, etc. My success is theirs too.

Website: https://juanvelsua17.wixsite.com/website2

Instagram: https://instagram.com/juan_velsua?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==