Exploring El Paso’s Viability as a Place For Filmmaking

A few days before their grand opening, I arrived to Star Central Studios, and bore witness to a historical event.  I knew in that moment there was no other place I would much rather be, than at the foot of the El Paso Star, working alongside a dedicated team striving towards establishing a film industry that would rival that of other major film hubs.

As a student studying Visual Anthropology at USC, I am interested in exploring the historical, cultural value this city has to offer, through the stories inherent to our geographical disposition, that are often buried or swept away by the constant migrations of people passing through.

Here, I am fortunate to be able to cultivate my passion for documentary and film ethnography, while getting paid to learn the fundamentals of the film industry. I firmly believe in both the program and the mission here at Star Central Studios; that our youth can refashion our city into a suitable environment for storytellers and filmmakers across the board.

One thing I know for sure, is that people who live here love to watch films, therefore, El Paso as a viable place for filmmaking has yet to be explored. Artist with the passion and talent for filmmaking should not have to search anywhere else but here. A generation of young  filmmakers in El Paso are already making breakthroughs, and with Star Central Studios Learning Center, the opportunity to further sway the future of filmmaking is here.