Interview with Guernslye Honorés
Write what you know. I never considered my personal life or my own struggles to be something that would go hand in hand with filmmaking and storytelling. I thought the proper etiquette was to keep the two separate but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Sharing your story is what’s going to make your audience connect with you.
As a part of our series called “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker”, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Mirejah Cruz.
Originally from Michigan, Mirejah Cruz discovered her love for acting in local theater productions. This passion led her to New York City, where she studied acting at Terry Schreiber Studios and graduated from the Upright Citizens Brigade’s sketch comedy program. In 2022, she moved to Los Angeles to further her career.
Mirejah is the founder of Cruz Cinema Productions, where she actively writes, produces, and acts in her own content. Notably, her work has earned recognition, including 2nd place Audience Choice for “Hell Week” at the NYWIFT Online Shorts Festival iWoman TV in New York and an Honorable Mention at the Lady Filmmakers Film Festival in Beverly Hills.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit of the ‘backstory’ of how you grew up?
I grew up in a small town in Michigan. I was a busy kid and very active. I was involved in sports, theater, pageants, and of course, helped out on the little hobby farm we had at home. I had such a lovely childhood and appreciated growing up in Michigan but I always knew I belonged in a big city. It was only natural for me to drop out of college and move to New York City on a whim. Thankfully I have an incredibly supportive family and they’ve been cheering me on ever since.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
There wasn’t a singular moment that made me decide to pursue acting and filmmaking. I think performing as a whole has been a constant in my life. It has always come naturally for me and I just leaned into it more as I realized that not only is it a passion of mine but it can also be a career path. It also helped that I was given green lights along the way which only encouraged me to keep going.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your filmmaking career?
I think one of the best moments of my filmmaking career was developing a script with my best friend. We would meet up at our favorite cafes around New York City and come up with the characters and their storylines. We pulled a lot of the relationship drama for the show from our own personal lives so I’m sure you can imagine the fun we had writing our own gossip into the script.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I grew up completely removed from the industry that I’m a part of now. You hear so many stories of people being picked off the street or discovered in some moment of luck but I somehow had this understanding that my career wasn’t going to be handed to me. It was going to be something I really needed to work hard at and build on my own and I have. It wasn’t easy by any means but having my mom there to support me through it all has been the main catalyst for my perseverance. She’s been rooting for me since day one and has been the foundational support that I turn to when the process gets rocky. I’m extremely grateful to her for those post- audition check ins and pre- shoot pep talks. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite life quote is a quote from Meryl Streep that says “What makes you different or weird- that’s your strength.” This quote really resonates with me and I reference it constantly when I’m hesitant about putting myself out there. It can feel vulnerable to show the world what actually sets you apart but it can end up being what makes you memorable in the end.
I am very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
Diverse representation in film and television should always be a priority in filmmaking. There are many reasons as to why that’s important to prioritize but the main reason would have to be to cover the reality of life. It’s just flat-out unrealistic to not include minorities of any kind in a film or television show. Movies and television shows are supposed to have characters that reflect the world that we live in. Yes, there are exceptions to certain storyline settings or period pieces but apart from those we should be seeing actors who represent the diversity in our day-to-day life. Another reason to do so is for educational purposes. When you have diverse filmmakers speaking and creating from their perspective then we as an audience get to learn from that. It broadens the knowledge of other cultures and backgrounds. And lastly, it allows the younger generations to see themselves in these larger-than-life characters. A lack of diversity in film would negatively impact our culture and hinder positive growth in society. Fortunately, diverse casting seems to be trending upwards so let’s hope it continues that way.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I’m currently riding the film festival wave with my film Hell Week. I’ve been attending many screenings for it and am finally able to enjoy it after putting so much energy behind it for the last year. My next project is a feature that I’m super excited about. It’s going to be a dark comedy, my favorite genre to work with. I’m still finding some of the inspirations for it. I like to start with a general idea and mood for a film and then see what naturally comes to me. Strangely enough, most of my ideas come to me in the gym. I guess it just gives me more motivation to go!
Which aspect of your work makes you most proud? Can you explain or give a story?
I think the truth that I include in my work makes me the most proud because it was something that I really had to work up to. It wasn’t always easy for me to pull from my personal life for the creative process. My film, Hell Week, is about Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and I remember writing it and thinking that everyone’s going to know that I have this mood disorder every month. I had spent many years trying to hide that part of me and here I was putting it on a platter for the sake of entertainment but ultimately, awareness. It’s been so rewarding and such a relief to see how many women can relate to me and my experiences. I’m glad I was able to push my fears aside because it’s been worth it.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
1. I wish someone had told me right off the bat to just do it myself. I spent the majority of my life thinking I needed someone or some studio to approve of me or hand-pick me in order to have a career and a space in the industry. That’s just not the case. There’s no special key that you need to be given or someone’s blessing that’s going to make or break you. You can start today by making your own content and really advocating for your own career.
2. Write what you know. I never considered my personal life or my own struggles to be something that would go hand in hand with filmmaking and storytelling. I thought the proper etiquette was to keep the two separate but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Sharing your story is what’s going to make your audience connect with you.
3. There’s no right way, so explore every avenue. I used to think there was a step-by-step process to break into the industry but thankfully there are options and it’s up to you to see what works. It can be anything from putting out your own content to starting a podcast. Just be proactive and you’ll see results.
4. Rejection is just redirection so don’t take it personally. We all want to win but sometimes the losses are redirecting us to what we’re more suited for. I’ve gotten very good at not dwelling on the losses and instead moving on and trusting there’s something better just ahead.
5. Recovery is just as important as the grind. It’s easy to get burnt out from trying to do everything at once. It was always my mindset that being busy was the best way to be when in reality sometimes the break between the busy is more important. It’s those resting moments that allow you to properly recharge and make your next game plan.
When you create a film, which stakeholders have the greatest impact on the artistic and cinematic choices you make? Is it the viewers, the critics, the financiers, or your own personal artistic vision? Can you share a story with us or give an example about what you mean?
If I considered every person and position along the way, I would never get passed the script. It’s really a matter of trusting yourself and your ideas. Anytime I try to appease an audience, I feel that it comes off as forced and ingenuine. I lead my work from a place of truth and intuition and just trust that it will find its crowd.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
My recent film, Hell Week, is a narrative dark comedy about Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder which I initially wrote to spark a conversation around P.M.D.D. If I could keep that ball rolling and turn it into a movement that would be incredible. It’s a topic that I am passionate about and determined to spread awareness on.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
Easy, Shonda Rhimes. She’s always been a woman in this industry that I’ve admired and is at the top of my list of people who I want to work with. Of course, I’m fascinated by her work but I truly look up to her as a person and the mindset that she maintains. I’ve read her book many times and always reference it when I need some inspiration. I would love to grab brunch with her, I’ve got some ideas for her I think she’ll like.
How can our readers further follow you online?
They can follow me on Instagram @mirejah or visit my website at www.cruzcinema.com
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About the interviewer: Guernslye Honoré, affectionately known as “Gee-Gee”, is an amalgamation of creativity, vision, and endless enthusiasm. She has elegantly twined the worlds of writing, acting, and digital marketing into an inspiring tapestry of achievement. As the creative genius at the heart of Esma Marketing & Publishing, she leads her team to unprecedented heights with her comprehensive understanding of the industry and her innate flair for innovation. Her boundless passion and sense of purpose radiate from every endeavor she undertakes, turning ideas into reality and creating a realm of infinite possibilities. A true dynamo, Gee-Gee’s name has become synonymous with inspirational leadership and the art of creating success.
Mirejah Cruz: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.