Today we’d like to introduce you to Alejandro Solanilla.
Hi Alejandro, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from Venezuela, and I started my journey in filmmaking when I was around 19. I studied Social Communication with a focus on Audiovisual Media, along with courses in film, television, and photography. But a big part of my education was also self-taught, spending countless hours learning through YouTube, experimenting, and developing my own visual style.
I originally wanted to make films, but along the way I became fascinated with photography and cinematography, especially how lighting, composition, and camera movement can shape a story. That naturally led me to become a Director of Photography and cinematographer, which is my primary role today.
I started with short films and music videos in Venezuela, but most of my professional career was built after moving to the United States. Here, I continued developing my craft and eventually founded Aspect Films in South Florida. Today, I work on commercials, branded content, documentaries, and other productions in the U.S. and internationally, always looking for new ways to grow and tell stories through images.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I lived through Venezuela’s transformation from a democracy into an increasingly violent dictatorship, and because I participated in protests against the regime, I experienced that violence firsthand. During one demonstration, a member of the Venezuelan National Guard shot me from just a few meters away with a high caliber rubber bullet weapon commonly used to repress protesters. That experience, and everything happening around me at the time, had a profound impact on my life.
When I eventually came to the United States, I had to start over. For a couple of years, I stepped away from filmmaking and worked other jobs while trying to establish myself in a new country. Eventually, I found my way back into the audiovisual industry and slowly began rebuilding my career from the ground up.
Those experiences taught me resilience and perspective. Looking back, some of the most difficult moments of my life also shaped the way I approach my work, my opportunities, and the career I’ve been able to build today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a cinematographer and Director, I think people know me not only for my work, but also for the energy I bring to set. Productions can be stressful, so I like bringing some charisma, making jokes, and keeping people laughing while still taking the work very seriously.
One project I’m especially proud of is a protest short film called La Verdad, which I made at the end of 2024 in response to the situation in Venezuela. I wrote, directed, shot, edited, and personally financed the film as a call to conscience for members of the Venezuelan military. It was a very personal project because it allowed me to use filmmaking not just as a profession, but as a way to speak about something deeply connected to my own story and my country.
I think what sets me apart is that combination of technical experience, storytelling, and personality. I care deeply about creating beautiful images, but I also believe the environment you create on set matters. At the end of the day, filmmaking is collaborative, and I want people to enjoy the process of creating something together.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was always curious about where life could take me. Over time, I’ve come to believe that growth happens first within yourself, and eventually it materializes in the world around you.
I’ve always been interested in learning, observing, and understanding things for myself, which probably explains why being self-taught has played such an important role in my career. I try not to be too attached to a specific destination. Life has taken me through unexpected places, challenges, countries, and experiences, and I think each one has shaped who I am today.
I’m still very much that personcurious, always learning, and open to wherever life takes me next.
Pricing:
- N/A – Pricing varies depending on the scope and requirements of each production.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alejandrosolanilla.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ale_solanilla/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlejandroSolanilla
