Today we’d like to introduce you to Ernesto M. Diaz.
Hi Ernesto M., please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I didn’t plan on becoming a filmmaker at first, I actually thought I’d be a doctor. But when my brother brought me onto a Telemundo set at 21 to work in the art and props department, everything changed. Seeing a story come to life right in front of me was eye-opening. From there, I started working on Nickelodeon shows and with independent companies in Miami, and that’s when the idea of creating my own production company started to take shape.
A few years later, I went back to film school, opened Tartarus Creative Brain Lab, and started producing my own narrative projects. Ten years later, Tartarus Creative Brain Lab focuses on developing and producing films and TV shows from concept to distribution. I also recently co-founded MADS Production Haus with my wife, Selina Savage, which handles commercial and branded work.
Right now, my focus is split between both worlds, building original film and TV projects through Tartarus Creative Brain Lab, and helping brands and creatives bring their ideas to life through MADS Production Haus.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s definitely has not been a smooth road. But I’m not the first, and I probably won’t be the last entrepreneur in my family, it’s kind of in my blood. So, I’ve always known that business is about endurance, especially in the early years.
Some of the biggest challenges have been starting with little to no capital, trying to build a team and realizing I had the wrong people around me, and not always being taken seriously when I was younger, even though I had the experience. Time management was another big one, learning how to juggle the demands of business with everything else in life.
One of the hardest lessons was thinking I could do everything myself, which I eventually learned is impossible if you want to grow. There’s also the uncertainty that comes with this industry, the challenge of finding the right mentors and networks, and figuring out how to avoid people who might want to take advantage of your drive or passion.
But through it all, God has blessed me enough to get me out of those tough situations you face in business. I’ll always be thankful for those difficult moments because they helped me grow, both in business and personally.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a director, producer, and storyteller. Through my company Tartarus Creative Brain Lab, I focus on developing and producing narrative films and TV shows that are grounded, character driven, and emotionally honest. My projects often blend realism with elements of genre, whether that’s sci-fi, thriller, or supernatural, and explore themes like morality, consequence, and human connection.
I’m also the founder of MADS Production Haus, a full-service production company and creative space in Miami that my wife, Selina Savage, and I built to support agencies, brands, and local creatives. We’ve worked across commercials, branded content, and promos, and our goal has always been to show that Miami can produce the same high quality work as New York or LA while keeping things rooted in our local community.
What I’m most proud of as a creative is building both companies from the ground up and creating a space for other filmmakers to grow. I’ve been through almost every department on set, from pa to grip to art to camera, and that experience allows me to lead with empathy and a deep understanding of every part of the process.
What sets me apart is that I approach every project with a mix of creativity and practicality. I’m not just thinking about the art, but also how to make it happen at the highest level with the resources we have. At the end of the day, I love telling stories that feel real, that connect with people, and that open doors for the next generation of filmmakers coming up behind me.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To me, success is a mix of purpose, growth, gratitude, and being able to keep doing what I was called to do. It’s also about having the freedom to live life on my own terms, to spend time with the family I’m building, watch my kids grow up, travel, and experience life without having to ask for permission to do it. That freedom to create, build, and truly live is something I’ll never take for granted. That, to me, is real success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.madsproductionhaus.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directedbyernestomdiaz/
- Facebook: https://www.tcbrainlab.com/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ_28s3AwVA
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10056301/
Image Credits
Lex Merico
Martin Villa
