Alvaro J. Gutierrez

From an early age the cinema has held a special place in AJ's heart. His father was the projectionist at the local theater, where the seven-year-old would spend hours learning to change reels, splice film and change carbon rods from outdated arc projectors, while watching the magic take place behind the scenes. The whirring sounds of the reels, the scent of the splicing adhesive and the brilliant carbon arcs ignited a yearning passion to be a part of film.