Q&A w/ Omar Acosta
Honoring the Culture
There are stories all around us, but storytelling is an art form that doesn’t come easily to everyone. The detail and nuance involved in not only staying faithful to the series of events but also conveying the emotional weight they represent is a creative execution that requires an immense amount of skill and cultural awareness. Omar Acosta is a multi-disciplined creative and visual storyteller who brings an immense focus on authenticity, honor, and respect to his work. In this Q&A, we engage him about his inspiration and process of creative storytelling.
You’ve taken on roles that include graffiti artist, graphic designer, creative director, producer, and film director. Can you identify one or a few common themes that are important in those disciplines for telling a compelling story?
Whether it's design, film, or my childhood dabbling in graffiti, it all starts with the "jump off." This is the hook that grabs the audience's attention. Once that's established, it's essential to follow through with a compelling story that ends with a captivating payoff. In a book, the "jump off" is the first line; in a graffiti piece, it's the swirl that draws you into the artwork. In film, it's the opening scene that poses a question without immediately answering it.
Most of your life has been spent in the Continental U.S., but you’ve also spent a considerable amount of time in Puerto Rico. How has your experience living in each of these spaces influenced you as a creative and a storyteller?
My connection between NYC and Puerto Rico infuses everything I do. Jumping into a documentary is a significant commitment, often taking at least two years if all goes well, and longer if it doesn't. You have to believe in the project wholeheartedly. I won't tell a story unless I can bring real authenticity to it, which typically comes from my life experiences growing up between these two places.
You have had the opportunity to tell the stories of people, places, and brands. How does your approach to telling a story change across all three of these categories, or do you approach them all the same way?
I think the same approach applies across all verticals. Being a visual person, I need to see it first. I can't sit down and write something without having envisioned a short story or a visually engaging scene. With "Mixtape," for example, I wanted the editing to feel like an actual mixtape—that idea was the starting point.
What does it mean to you to create a story that has cultural impact?
It's the purest form of respect towards your audience. When I worked on "Stretch and Bobbito," there was always a voice in the back of my head reminding me not to mess it up. Failing would mean letting down an entire culture. The project was an homage to a culture, that I grew up with and love to this day. Honoring it properly was my utmost priority.
What’s one tool, lesson, philosophy, you think every creative person should have?
Especially now, with the emergence of AI, it's easy to get caught up in the hype. AI is a powerful tool, and I understand its novelty. However, it's crucial to remember the importance of process. There is a process to this work that shouldn't be skipped. There are no shortcuts.
Great first installment. Thanks for reaching out - adding to my regular reads list.
Interesting read, thanks for sharing Brian!