By: Dante Hillmedo
Dante Hillmedo’s work has brought him into rooms with the entertainment industry’s biggest names. As the go-to videographer for high-profile events and top brands, Dante has a unique insight into the world of celebrities. Now, with his debut film Butterfly, he’s transitioning from capturing real-life moments to directing the action himself. We sat down with him to explore his journey, his influences, and how he’s bringing his years of experience behind the camera into his work as a filmmaker.
Q: From exclusive celebrity events to now directing your first film, how do you switch between capturing real-life moments and creating fictional stories on screen?
Dante: It’s a whole different process; capturing events is all about filming in real-time, but filming movies? There’s tons of work in pre-production and throughout the other stages. You really gotta be meticulous, and you’re in charge of a lot more moving parts.
Q: You’ve been behind the scenes of some of the biggest entertainment events. Did any specific event or interaction with a celebrity spark your desire to move into filmmaking?
Dante: All of them actually, I’ve filmed some of the most amazing content celeb eventwise on the net but you rarely hear about who the person behind the camera is. Making something for myself was kinda spurred by that. I have great stories to tell and being that they’re my projects, people will get to know more about who the creator is.
Q: With Butterfly being your directorial debut, what was the most challenging scene to film, and how did your experience in videography help you navigate it?
Dante: I would say the most challenging scene to film was a scene where the main character, “Jericha”, has a very big audition. The challenge was that we were super short on time and it was running out fast. My experience in videography allowed me to cheat a few scenes and film in another location but make it look like the audition room even though we weren’t actually there.
Q: How do you handle the pressure of working with celebrities and high-profile brands, and has that pressure influenced how you approach storytelling in film?
Dante: It’s honestly no pressure for me, I view celebs the same way I view myself. I don’t get nervous or face anxiety, I just do the job the best that I can, and that’s the attitude I brought to this film; get it done the best I can.
Q: Can you talk about a time when you had to be creative on the spot during one of the events you filmed? How does that improvisation translate into your work as a director?
Dante: There was a time our wide shot camera went down, so I had to run back and forth with my camera to get both close-up and wide shots to make it look as if we had the other angle. It all worked out great. As a director, I’m a problem solver. So if anything comes up, I’m gonna figure it out and make the shoot successful.
Q: As someone who has filmed some of the biggest names in entertainment, how do you think the presence of celebrity culture has impacted your creative voice as a filmmaker?
Dante: It’s definitely helped me get noticed by others and has brought great conversations to the table. It also helps when I’m speaking to the youth; seeing that I’ve filmed some of their favorite celebrities opens a gateway for the positivity I’m speaking to them to stick with them instead of falling on deaf ears.
Q: What’s something you learned from watching directors work on music videos or high-profile projects that you applied to your own feature film?
Dante: Motion is important. Cinematography is important. Visual storytelling is important. Audio is important. These 4 things can turn an ordinary video into a masterpiece if done correctly.
Q: When you think back to your early days as a videographer, what moment made you realize you were ready to step into filmmaking?
Dante: When I noticed I wasn’t getting any accolades for my work haha. Who doesn’t like to be recognized for their work, especially when it gains millions of views. Also I want to start having more passive income. So I reached a point about 2 years ago where I just said I need more, I feel like I’ve reached a ceiling here, I’m ready to elevate past it.
Q: Do you feel like your experience shooting live events with unpredictable moments has given you an edge when it comes to working with actors on set?
Dante: Definitely. There were many things that I encountered that I was able to maneuver around because I’ve experienced similar things at events, like talent showing up late, talent forgetting lines, etc.
Q: For someone who’s been in the industry for over a decade, what does success look like to you now as you enter the film world, and how has that vision evolved over time?
Dante: Success looks like having multiple films out in the world that become classics, a few awards to recognize my achievements, and a peaceful life with my family.
Dante Hillmedo’s story is a testament to growth, ambition, and the art of reinvention. With Butterfly in the books and a clear vision for the future, he’s a creative force to watch as he carves out his path in the film world. Dante’s dedication to telling impactful stories promises to keep him at the forefront of entertainment for years to come.
You may follow him on Instagram and check out his Website.
Published By: Aize Perez
