In this episode of Kill the Small Talk, host Alex Caron sits down with writer and director Juan Gil for an in-depth conversation about storytelling, filmmaking, and the creative journey.

Juan shares his path from growing up in Texas to moving to Los Angeles, trusting his instincts, and committing fully to a career in film. He opens up about his early love of movies, writing as a form of self-expression, and how life experience — including loss, growth, and consistency — has shaped his voice as a storyteller.

The conversation explores Juan’s creative process as a writer-director, the importance of subtext and action over dialogue, and how living a full life informs better writing. Juan also discusses his award-winning projects, including his horror short Dead End and the crime thriller Bruiser, a bold vertical-format project that challenges what short-form storytelling can be.

Alex and Juan dive into collaboration on set, working with actors and crew, adapting creative ideas in real time, and why preparation — from pre-visualization to trust in collaborators — is essential for strong filmmaking. This episode is a thoughtful look at persistence, creative evolution, and what it takes to keep making meaningful work in today’s industry.

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Watch & Follow

Watch Kill the Small Talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KillTheSmallTalkPodcast

Follow the show: Instagram: @KillTheSmallTalkPodcast

Follow Juan Gil: Instagram: @juangilproductions

Hosted by Alex Caron

Recorded & Produced by Command Creative Studios

New episodes drop every Wednesday

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