Meet Lizandra Parra | Director and Film Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lizandra Parra and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lizandra, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I saw an interview once with Bette Midler and she was explaining how as an actress she wanted to know which light hit her best and which angle was the best for each scene, so she decided to study Film. So when I saw that interview, I immediately said, what a smart woman and went on to study film and soon realized I could make my own work and vision and not have to wait to be called to show the world my art.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I guess what sets me apart from others is my ability to make it happen. The industry in Miami is very complex, we don’t have the enough incentives as Miami is more of a tourist state than a Film state, so making a film in a city like ours something is definitely a big factor of determining who you are.

I’m most excited and proud of all my film Manteniendo la Distancia. I also have a series called Miami Fusion which did very well, we were called from Diario de las Americas to get interviewed and then they liked the series so much they did a column for every episode. Am actually working on Season 2 now and it will be insanely different in production value, while at the same time keeping its current focus on our Latin culture. But for now my baby is my film which is in post.

It was not easy. It’s still in the works and we filmed in 2021. Many people always ask, “how come you haven’t finished?” And I always like to say… “How come Avatar with millions of dollars took 15 years to get done?” And they immediately kinda get it I hope 🤣.

I learned during my career as Director and Producer that’s it is all about who you work with and the people you surround with. Because at the end the making of the film is the most amazing experience and you have to choose those around you during that time wisely….and I think this fits for every aspect of life.

I want the world to know they are not alone in their stories by portraying stories people can relate to. However, I want the world to see movies as they were: a moment to enter another world, I feel that movies need movie magic, no a days movies feel so real some of them scare me…and the genre is not horror. 🤣 It’s just they make them so real…and to me a movie must feel magical.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I guess I would take them to see a sunrise at the beach to start. I feel Miami has one of the most beautiful skies in the world with its different colors. Then I would take them to the Brickell area for breakfast and then we could ride to homestead and go on a little four wheel adventure through the mud. That would be one day, but I mean there are so many amazing places here and in Florida, the springs upstate’s, Orlando and the parks. Here in Miami it’s like restaurant haven 😍 but to go on adventures, which is what I like we have to go more upstate.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Definitely that would be the woman who taught me all and who indulged in my love for film with me, my mother. I remember one day I said to her, “I think am going to be a teacher instead of an actress” and she looked at me and said something along the lines of “I think not or don’t you dare” 🤣

Instagram: Lizandraparra_officialpage

Image Credits
Alfredo Armas – Green Dress
The rest our mine.