Meet Andres Irias | Director, Screenwriter & Producer

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

Hi Andres, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I believe that not everyone is fit or used to taking risks. Most fear it, deciding to live their lives or taking actions that are not risky, for the sake of stability, or at least the possibility of it. To people, that is more tangible than the unknown factor that risk provides, that roll of the dice, the 50/50 which is my addiction.

Risk taking has played a great part of what I do. As a matter of fact, my entire career as of this moment is built on risk. I am young and hungry for it, passionate for art and my career as a filmmaker. Storytelling goes one of two ways, you either play it safe by delivering a film that’s so basic that it checks all the right boxes… or you take on a project that is so risky for you as a filmmaker, that you are kept on your toes along the way about its uncertainty. After all, as the industry has proven- you’re just as good as your last film.

But even then, the trick is to make peace with a particular factor very early on in your career- people by fault will love or hate your film. We can’t win them all. Therefore, all that matters to me is to challenge myself with every new project I take, whatever that challenge might be, and that to me is both thrilling and enticing.

To this day, I don’t regret any creative risks taken on any of my films as they have guided me to where I am, making me a better filmmaker. I have learned along the way, and most importantly, it is great to look back and see what you have done under x budget, x schedule and x limitations. It only inspires you and gives you confidence for what is up ahead.

That same risk taking has garnered my films, cast & crew multiple awards and film festival selections. Risk taking has also led these films into distribution with PBS, PICCEN & AMAZON PRIME. Every risk pays off. Whether it works for the film or doesn’t, it always really does- because its results teach us. That is all that life is, and that keeps me motivated, excited for future risks and projects that lie ahead.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is that of filmmaking. I’ve had the pleasure of filming multiple short films and currently working on my last one, while also developing my first feature.

I believe that what sets me apart from the rest of filmmakers is a couple of things. Primarily, I focus on writing films that seem familiar to audiences only to pull the rug from right under them, delivering the unexpected, the thrills, the twist and turns as well as ambiguous if not sudden endings. I also have a fixation with thrillers, and the concepts of time and psychology, which I tend to use sometimes more obviously than others on my writing. Finally, I am focused on supporting the film industry in Miami. Most productions film abroad, or come to Miami to film “Miami based” stories (those that include the usual beaches, palm trees, sun).  I care to showcase that there is far more beyond that in Miami, if one takes their time to search it. After all, the talent is already here and hungry for projects.

I get excited for every new screenplay I write, as it challenges me along the way. Every project is a jigsaw puzzle with multiple problems in need of creative solutions. This is why I passion for Producing comes from. Knowing that one has limitations and a sand box to play within is wonderful, it allows you to think outside the box while knowing what’s available to you. Even a limited set of tools/ideas have more than one mere function.

The film industry is not for everyone, but one can never know until they’ve tried it, to jump into the ocean, unaware if one will sink or float. And this industry loves to say no more than yes. You will hear thousands of “no’s” before you hear a single “yes”. This can be discouraging for many, but for a certain few of us, it is but the spark that we need to keep pushing forward and prove the rest of the world… otherwise.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Filled by the world of art, I would guide my friend to a variety of cinemas, from the classic Regal Cinemas and O Cinema on South Beach, all the way to the stellar and stylish Silverspot Cinema in Brickell. As for entertainment, one cannot forget hotels like Fountainbleau, Soho House and Faena, while also highlighting the great Perez Art Museum and finally the impeccable Design District (which is filled of entertainment, high end shopping and fine dining experiences unlike many other areas).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The main person is my mother, who took me to the cinema at the age of 3, unaware that film would since then enchant me by its wonders.

I admire filmmakers like Christopher Nolan, David Fincher, Bong Joon Ho, Edgar Wright, Quentin Tarantino and Sam Mendes to name a few. Their storytelling inspires a lot of what I create and their work is always close to my heart.

I am grateful to have learned so much from Professors Ronald Baez and Hershel Faber, as well as by those that continue to work with me- Mauricio Trabanino and Quincy Perkins to name a few.

I am aware that I don’t know everything in the film industry, and I never will, so it is a special thing to learn new things by the people around you, especially those that work with you. Whatever new lesson they bring unto the table is always welcome.

Website: https://tv.piccenplay.com/pages/psychotrope

Instagram: @andresi09

Image Credits
Jack Kierski