Today we’d like to introduce you to Alejo Vega.
Alejo, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
What I know about myself is that I’ve always loved movies and always knew I wanted to be in some way a part of movies. From my earliest memories watching E.T. in theaters, movies have amazed me. The stories, the action, the lighting, the angles. And as fate or destiny might have it if you believe in those things, my mother gained employment at The Film Society of Miami in my early teenage years. Which at the time would run and manage the International Miami Film Festival. I would spend a great amount of time helping my mother with festival work and got to see a lot of movies.
Further fueling my passion for films and filmmaking. But as all good things must come to and end, so did the film society and my mother’s employment. Shortly after, I got a job at AMC Theaters and would take advantage and come in a few hours before my shift to watch movies. But life took some sharp personal turns and it was the last time I did anything movie-related for a few years. It wasn’t until 2008 that I decided I wanted to make filmmaking and Acting my main career. I started making short skits and music parodies using a Sony point and shoot digital camera. I also started doing Extra Work. After a few years of learning on my own, I figured it was time to actually get some paperwork behind the skills and enrolled in the Center of Cinematography arts & Television (C.C.A.T.) to obtain my associate’s degree in cinematography.
While at CCAT, I was top of my class, winning Best Picture, Best Director, and best script awards at the yearly Awards ceremony & competition. As well as 2 Film Field Day 1st Prize awards. But financial hardships forced me to abandon my studies. I continued making shorts skits, eventually moving to short films. Entering various competitions and actually winning some prizes. From me acting in my own scripts and shorts, I gained the attention of an independent film director who cast me in my first official professional on-screen character for the independent film The Body Sculptor, Starring Terry Kiser, Tiny Lister, and Former WWE superstar Al Snow. It was by far the biggest production I had ever been a part of. Shortly after that I signed with Talent Direct Agency and have since done several commercials, promos, & Music Videos for several Artists (Lunch Money Lewis, Doja Cat, Flexxlikenoother, Bryce Hase, Asian Doll, Mazi, Tory Lanez, Black Violin) as well as a few different spots on Discovery Channel shows.
In 2018 McPree Productions Films produced a short film titled “Champ” about a boxer suffering from CTE. The film was accepted at two film festivals: the lift-off Film Festival and the first-time filmmaker’s film festival. The film didn’t win but was a finalist at the Lift-off Film Festival. In 2019 I started doing producing a YouTube series titled “One Minute Movies” and stand-alone episodic series, which gives local artists in Miami and South Florida the ability to have their work produced and for unknown upcoming actors to have material for their demo reels and gain experience. We have created three episodes and have two more in development. In December of 2019, McPree Productions Films entered the 100 Hour Film Race. Our film “Hand of The Pharaohs” was a top 15 finalist out of 72 international films submitted. We didn’t win but ended up taking home awards for Best Visual/Special FX, Best supporting Actor that went to actor Emmanuel Ayus, and I won Best Local Actor Award, which brings us to today.
Has it been a smooth road?
As in life, nothing that comes easy is worth bragging about. So it’s easy to say that most, if not all, my journey have been one of many trials and tribulations, many successes, but more failures than wins. But as it is in this industry, It comes with the territory. And one must have Tough skin. I, as all actors and filmmakers, have nights of doubt. But my willingness to succeed and my passion keep driving me today.
Mcpree Productions Films – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
McPree Productions Films is an independent film company out of Miami, Florida. We specialize in all aspects of filmmaking. From short films and features to commercials to weddings, birthdays, etc. if you got something you want to be filmed. We are the company for you. What sets us apart is that we are open-minded to work with up and coming actors and filmmakers as well as being budget savvy.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Being born and raised in Miami, I love everything about my city, but most of all, I love Miami’s uniqueness. Having been to a lot of states in the US, I can honestly say Miami is a city, unlike any other in the country or the world for that matter. Traffic! Traffic is what I hate the most. Oh and the spontaneous Mini-Hurricanes. Oh and the fact the palmettos been under construction since I was born and I’m 41.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 786-942-9319
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @Alejo_mcpree_Vega, @mcpreeproductionsfilms
- Facebook: @alejovega, @mcpreeproductionsfilms
- Twitter: @mcpree13
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/MCPREEPROD
Image Credit:
Yaima Vega, Connie Chornuk, Eric Campbell
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