Elsa Valdéz

Elsa began shooting photography in Tucson, Arizona in 1986. In 1995, she moved to California to pursue her dream of becoming a professional portrait photographer. That same year while working as a wedding photographers’’ assistant she happened upon a career as a segment video editor. This experience sparked a passion in her for filmmaking. This passion was so great that in 2002 at the age of 33, Elsa decided to expand her career and dedicate her life to becoming a filmmaker. This sparked a 7-year journey towards earning her degrees as a master editor and cinematographer. Today, Elsa is a recent graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography, with a BA in Film and Commercial Video Production where she was awarded the CESF and Presidential Grants. In February 2007, Elsa created Original Tomboy Productions. Elsa’’s production company is simultaneously shooting two documentaries. The first is “Save the Earth” about environmental activist Karen Palmer and the second is “Low Rider Girl” about the struggles of Sonia Chessani, the first female, Classified Low Rider Club President in Southern California. She is currently in postproduction for “Holistic Dog Massage” an interactive massage DVD she directed, due out in circulation this fall. She is also currently in pre-production for an external marketing video she is producing for Lo Mio Low Rider Lifestyle Magazine. In the fall of 2007 she began working towards her Master of Fine Arts in Cinematography at The American Film Institute Conservatory in Los Angeles. Today, Elsa is nearing the end of her 7-year journey in becoming a Master Cinematographer, editor and well-rounded filmmaker. She will graduate with her Master’’s of Fine Arts in Cinematography from the conservatory, in December of 2009.