Meet Gabriela Hassel Gastelum | Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabriela Hassel Gastelum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabriela Hassel, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I knew there was a lack of women and recognition in the industry and I knew I wanted to produce more and direct. I no longer wanted to work for someone and work for companies that did not value the employees work ethic or respect their personal life as well. I wanted to build a company where we became a real team and have people enjoy working with each other and not be discriminated against or devalued. I wanted to start a business to be different and have creative hands-on and hear out everyone’s creative perspective and their inclusivity.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My Art/Business is in the Film/Digital Content industry, we are Spiral Productions and I am the CEO/Owner of the production team. I am proud to say that it is a Female led team with an all inclusive team and hands on creativity. It is a team where we have made many production projects in commercials, promos, short films, talk shows, music videos and live recaps of concerts. Among other jobs we have also worked in product photography, advertising, fashion photography and content creation.

My company started as an idea when I was in film school. I thought that all my friends were so talented and I wanted to display their work and start booking real jobs for them to get paid for their creativity. Though only a few followed me into the production team and still are working for the team. I also came to realize that I had such a passion for filming, creating, producing, editing, coordinating and being a leader. With all these qualities, I started to learn how to network and pitch myself and my company to book jobs and expand in different categories and with that, I saw that my company was also Adaptational. My brand and I have this factor of adapting to any environment and any client in what they need for the production. The talent we possess is much beyond just a title. We all have different and unique talents and aren’t restricted to only one job. I understand the client’s point of view and what they need and want. We have a unique way of putting their imagination and vision in a real life moving picture.

The forthcoming release of Spiral Productions was not easy at all. We needed to be established with at least some people at first to be able to be recognized enough to be able to book paying jobs. Many of the jobs we did at the beginning were free and trials to build a portfolio and clientele. But once we established a good reputation locally, I started to travel on my own to Mexico, Los Angeles, Miami, and Phoenix to network and to get inspired by others in the industry to get more experience and advice on how to better manage and expand my company. Though there are crazy hardships and obstacles I need to overcome as not only an owner of a production company but also to establish respect and authority as a woman to be taken seriously and prove my product of my talent worthy in this industry. My plans for Spiral Productions are growing and I gained more knowledge on what more I can do to make my production company a more hybrid factory in the industry. We continue to evolve.

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?
Phoenix art museum The Coronado – Resturant, best vegan Mexican food.
Stand Up live- Best comedy stand ups

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout goes to my parents: Gabriela R. Gastelum, Juan C. Gastelum My team: Jafeth Cruz, Joann Martinez, Briana Burris,
My Go to’s : Karla Gastelum, Zay Lujan.
My encouragement: Lizette A. Sandoval, Amalia B. Robles, Andrea Martinez
My Mentor: Robert Loomis

Website: https://linktr.ee/hassssel

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiralproductions_/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@spiralproductions7130

Image Credits
All shot by Spiral Productions