Today we’d like to introduce you to Gonzalez Junee.
Hi Gonzalez, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I own Mars Entertainment Studio. I have always been interested in arts but my options were limited because I was in Haiti. It was not until the earthquake in 2010 that I was able to come to America where the possibilities became endless for me. After I arrived in America, four years later I enrolled in the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale getting my Bachelor’s degree In Visual Effects And Motion Graphics, that is where I fell in love with Cinema. During my time at the school, I met a couple of recording artists that were dying to have music videos out. Some of the students in the video production major use that occasion as an opportunity to complete a project or build a portfolio. I met an artist name FyveO around portfolio time, he had one song “Keep it At a 2” and was looking for someone to help him produce a music video, I told him could help but that will be my first time creating a music video, I’m not sure if you’ll be comfortable with that, he told me that he trusted my creativity. After completing that project, I was surprised that he loved it, but because of his video, I had other rap artists in the school who wanted me to help them create their videos. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to work with most of them because it was towards the end of my last year in college, I was more focused on creating my portfolio, but I still ended up working with a few including “Young Zoe” just to name a few. Around the time I was working on my portfolio I kept thinking about how many artists needed videos in this small school. Imagining being out in the real world, where many more will need those services, I saw a great opportunity where I can contribute to my community by helping those local artists create. That’s where the idea of Mars came about. Eventually made a business out of it in 2020.
Mars is fairly young, for the past two years I have worked with a lot of rap artists in the Broward County and Miami area. Just to name a few I’ve directed “ Lately, Just want the money, This is not a trap” for “Cityboy Prince”. I’ve also worked with “JokerJ” and “82 Bands”. I’ve done a lot of weddings and baby showers and helped a few local businesses create videos to promote their brand on social media and to launch ad campaigns. I’ve worked with a few local fashion designers such as “Forever Lavie” And “Tony Vision” in a few events and also worked on some of their campaigns to promote new collections. I’ve been on set with “Kent Jone” shooting BTS for one of his projects. I’ve been blessed throughout the years and had the opportunity to work with some of the most popular media and celebrities in the Haitian music community, such as “Pimp NewsTV, Florence, Dug-G, Papa Lavi Etc. It’s been an interesting journey so far and there’s more work to be done but I am grateful to be doing something that I love. It’s hard to become what you want in this country, especially with the language barrier but I didn’t let where I’m from define where I’m going so I take an oath to stay true to myself and my community. I want everyone to know that where you cannot stop yourself to be the person you want to be but only can stop yourself. I know what it’s like to have nothing, so my mission is to help local businesses, artists, designers, models, and influencers of any budget to showcase their art on social platforms with great visuals to show the world what they are made of.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road was definitely patchy. Lol, nothing has been smooth about it. Some of my biggest struggles are building clientele. Although I am better now, the language barrier was always a personal struggle for me. While learning English and trying to communicate with potential clients was difficult, I made it a point to not give up. I know how hard it can get so that’s why I make it my mission to help any upcoming artist with low-budget video idea a chance to showcase their talent.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a videographer and photographer. I am most proud of my growth as an artist. What sets me apart is my company is fueled by passion. It sounds cliche, but it’s true. I put my best foot forward at all times despite any obstacles that I may face, and that shows in my work. It’s not about the money for me, it is about the opportunity to help others bring their vision to reality. Whether it’s a big budget or a low-budget project, I approach both with the same value and attitude. A lot of artists don’t have the money to invest in their music video specially if it’s a local artist or underground artist, mars welcomes all of them and to give them the same opportunity to work with what they have and so they can bring their dream to reality.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is when I was first introduced to art. Where I’m from there is not much opportunity, young men are forced to be entrepreneurs at an early age. My good friend Wiguens who was fifteen years old at the time used to work with Gougou who was and still is arguably the best artist my neighborhood ever knew. Gougou was a little bit older, he designed a lot of costumes and improvised murals to sell to tourists that visit Haiti and Republica Dominicana. Wiguens took me in as his apprentice and started teaching me the basics of painting and some of the techniques he used to get different results. I remember these like it was yesterday. That was my introduction to art, and I am forever grateful to him.
Contact Info:
- Email: booking@marsentertainmentstudio.com
- Website: www.marsentertainmentstudio.com
- Instagram: Marsentstudio
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk9bsdt1J2Xnbq_D7501qhA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mars-entertainment-studio-fort-lauderdale-2
Image Credits
Shoobsdamartian, Ulyss photo, Vulcha
