Today we’d like to introduce you to Mercedes Mercado.
Mercedes, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I started out as an actress, but I was always a good writer. A friend asked me to write a short movie script for a producer. When I handed it in, I told my friend it should be shot this way in this scene and shot that way in another scene. Annoyed, the producer said, “Why doesn’t Mercedes just direct it herself!” And so I did. Although I never directed before, it came very natural to me….and I fell in love. All I ever want to do now is write and direct.
My short film was well received at festivals and got the attention of a couple of producers. I decided to write my first full-length feature script, and now my film is in development. The movie is entitled “Shadow Man.” It has been referred to as a “man-driven Shakespearean sniper story.” Although it caters mostly to men, I’m sure women will find it entertaining as well with its very unexpected twist revealed in the end.
I also have a knack for giving good advice to women on relationships. They have been coming to me for as long as I can remember. My advice has led to engagements and marriages, so I decided to write a book and help as many women as possible. The book is entitled “Understanding Men With Power.” After I finish my first feature film, I plan on turning the book into a movie as well. It’s based on my experiences with powerful men in Hollywood. I changed the names of the characters. At the end of each chapter (story), I write a lesson. The book is showing women, not telling women, the cause and effects of our treatment of men.
Being able to help others while doing what I love is absolutely the best reward I could ever get.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My art is writing stories and turning them into films. After discovering I can direct, with two short films under my belt, now I am a filmmaker that’s moving on to her first full-length feature.
I’d like to help other women see that they also can break into an art form that has always been dominated mostly by men. There aren’t many female filmmakers getting their work on the big screen, and even less for a Latina like myself.
I love to entertain people, so I get pleasure in writing stories that have unexpected twists. I enjoy surprising viewers, so I tend to add supernatural elements to my stories.
I want to help and give as much as I can; writing and directing has given me the perfect venue to do so.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
My favorite quote is “Success is getting paid for what you love to do.” Try as hard as you can to live by this quote, which is what I do. The hardest lesson I had to learn is work more, play less. I wasted too much time having fun and not working enough. Fortunately I discovered writing and directing, which is fun to me; it feels like I’m just playing and not working. It’s such a blast! There’s absolutely nothing else in the world I’d rather do.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My book, “Understanding Men With Power,” can be purchased online at Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com. Please review it. So far I just have all 5 star reviews. Link: tinyurl.com/yd6tslka/
When my first feature film, “Shadow Man,” is finally out please see it! A Latina filmmaker needs all the help and support she can get!
Contact Info:
- Address: My email is Mercedes925@hotmail.com. My Instagram is Mercedesm925. My business website is ChatNoirInk.com and my acting website is Mercedes925.
- Website: ChatNoirInk.com, Mercedes925.com
- Email: mercedes925@hotmail.com
- Instagram: Mercedesm925
- Twitter: Mercedesm925
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