By Linden Standish
Welcome to NYWIFT, Gabriela Coronel!
Gabriela Coronel is an up-and-coming filmmaker and visual artist who recently graduated from Ithaca College.
Driven and inspired by the diversity of the human experience, Gabriela tells stories through various mediums. Her talent and vision has been appreciated by the likes of Westchester Magazine and Tiny Studios, where she worked on a variety of creative projects and events.
Gabriela strives to push herself creatively. She draws from her personal experiences throughout each project she pursues, allowing her to continuously explore new ideas and challenge old ones.
In our interview, Gabriela discusses her background and the origins of her creative inspiration.
NYWIFT Member Gabriela Coronel
Could you give our readers a brief introduction to yourself?
To introduce myself, my name is Gabriela Coronel, but you can call me Gabi. I recently graduated from Ithaca College with a BFA in Film/Photography/Visual Arts with an Art History Minor. I love being able to meet new people, whether we have similar or different interests.
What brought you to NYWIFT?
I found out about NYWIFT recently when I was on Instagram, [seeing] a post promoting a screening that NYWIFT would be hosting. As I looked further and saw the workshops/masterclasses and networking events NYWIFT holds, I knew this would be an organization I would love to join and take part in, meeting new and like-minded creative people.
Gabriela directing a television project at Ithaca College
What drives you to pursue a career in film and photography?
What drives me is the desire to show people that everyone has a story to share and tell. I tell stories in my films and in the photos I take. I don’t want to be limited to what I can create, so I chose to take on roles in both film and photography projects.
Gabriela on set for her thesis film
How did your time at Westchester Magazine in New York and Tiny Studios in London impact you and your creative journey?
With my time at Westchester Magazine, I have been able to attend numerous events capturing photos of all who attend and clients of the magazine. Event photography is always such a fun job for me; it helps make things easy to connect with people, especially after you take their photo.
My internship at Tiny Studios will always be an experience I will treasure forever. I was lucky to be selected by the team to be their creative intern while I was abroad for a semester. Helping the team with tasks of pre- and post-production in their studio showed me what it was like to work in a more professional setting with strict deadlines. It was very thoughtful how the team welcomed me and treated me. I felt very seen when I would help with projects. I was lucky enough as well to PA and do set photography on five sets while I was with Tiny!
Gabriela at Altoona Reel Film Festival
Has there been a piece of media that has been of particular influence to your work?
The moment I watched Moonrise Kingdom by Wes Anderson when I was about 10 years old and I suddenly watched movies after that. Colors were different, sets were different, the visuals were different. I knew at that moment that I wanted to be a part of something like that.
From a director’s standpoint, I look towards Greta Gerwig and Sean Baker for inspiration, and further on that point, as someone who wants to pursue both film and photography, I think we could all be more like Gordon Parks.
What inspires you? Do you seek it out, or does it come to you?
What I experience in my life inspires me. I feel like life is always changing, and I’m seeing new things. I’m very thankful for the four years I had at college and I got to take part in so many creative activities, such as being a member of Delta Kappa Alpha, Ithaca College Television, and working on 25 different sets. I want to keep being the most creative version of myself and push myself to create more.
Are there any projects you are currently working on or would like to explore in the future?
Currently, I am doing freelance photography work and I hope to be on some sets soon!
Connect with Gabriela on Instagram at @swath.on.film, LinkedIn, and her website www.gabrielacoronel.org.
(All photos courtesy of Gabriela Coronel)
Linden Standish
Linden Standish is an intern at NYWIFT and aspiring television screenwriter. Working in collaboration with her sister, Audrey Standish, the two have developed numerous pilots. Inspired by a range of genres, Linden hopes to craft emotionally resonant and thought-provoking stories.
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