Edwin M Figueroa

Edwin M Figueroa’s credited Directing debut was in 1997 on the short film TAINO featured on the inaugural SHOWTIME’S LATINO FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE, PBS’s REEL NEW YORK and SiTV’s FOREIGN FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE as well as numerous film festivals in New York, Stony brook, Austin and San Antonio. Other short films include, DooRag, SMILE and OL HENRY. Feature work include DEVILS FIVE, THE VOID, ORACLES’, and GLOW ROPES – ‘The Rise and fall of a Bar Mitzvah Emcee’ and the documentary PIECES OF COURAGE. Director of Photography feature credits include NUDE NUNS WITH BIG GUNS, THE VOID,  SHADOWS OF MERCY, STASH, AMOUR DETRUIT and KATERI as well as the short films, LAUNDRY ROOM, THE GIFT, DOS C, EL CUARTO (shot in Italy), HUSTLERS INSTINCT and trailers DEADLY RETURN, VIRTUAL REALITY and CRAVE. Editing credits include THE VOID, ORACLES and short films, SMILE, OL HENRY and MOMENT TO MOMENT. GLOW ROPES won Best Feature at the 2005 New York International Latino Film Festival. MOMENT to MOMENT went on to win grand prize in the 3rd SHOWTIMES LATINO FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE and was also featured on SiTV along with El CUARTO and TAINO. 

I Started working as a film technician in 1988 working grip trucks while still attending CCNY’s Picker Film Institute. 35 year Tech experience includes 20 plus years as a Key Grip (IATSE Union member since 1997).  Most of the technician work that actually paid the bills were commercials and music videos. The fun and artistic side as a technician came as I worked on more than my share of features. I Served as Key Grip on films like SLINGBLADE, HAND GUN, BOILER ROOM, ILLTOWN and EMPIRE.   Dolly Grip work includes ALL THE PRETTY HORSES, DADDY AND THEM and LIVING IN OBLIVION. It was in the sweat of 14-18 hour days that I forged alliances with collaborators that helped me become a professional Studio, Motion Picture Mechanic and Artist. When I first started, I primarily just wanted to write but from the time I first stepped inside this world of ideas and the gear and tools to manifest these ideas, at the most creative levels …, I never bothered looking back. I Write, Shoot, Edit, Direct and have loved Photography since my first polaroid and I can honestly see how I overextended myself.  

I watched many of the folk I’ve trained succeed at what they primarily aimed for, while I at the ripe old age of sixty five, still journey towards the creative work that truly vitalizes me.  I was once a young filmmaker and the world truly was my oyster. I’ve traveled and journeyed well. I cherish my old crew pictures and the warmth of the memories that they bring me, keep me reaching forward.  My favorite moments on a set are when a collaborator and myself realize our comradely.  In our business, there’s no better compliment than, “That’s why you’re here!”  I love the feeling of delivering on a common goal with pride in both our accomplishment and our journey/approach.

When the happy accidents merge with plans, craft, technique, magic and intuition - Out of the Chaos - Art!