DESERT PEOPLE

This project began using my experience in designing, screen printing, my time in the Southwest. I was hoping to create a brand that would make an El Pasoan and Desert Person proud of where they came from.

While I have been creating with this brand for 5 years this is a section from my latest collection entitled “Worldwide”

The Process and Progress of my SUNSET tee.

A retro El Paso shirt: a clean design reflecting desert light, the Franklin Mountains silhouette, and warm, resilient people.

The journey from the community of El Paso to a Major Motion Picture “BLUE BEETLE”

Video and Photos I took at my studio.

BLUE BEETLE (2023)

In 2022, Hollywood Film Director Angel Manuel Soto and cinematographer Pawel Pogorzelski stopped by El Paso to research the origins of the DC Character Blue Beetle. In this DC Comics version of the character, Jaime Reyes is a Mexican-American kid from El Paso Texas who stumbles across a scarab that grants him the powers of the Blue Beetle. Myself and a few other creatives and filmmakers were granted time to spend with Angel and Pawel to illustrate life in the border. Although his origins were changed to reflect a fictitious city in the film, they wanted to have Easter Eggs in the film to pay homage to the original comic. Thanks to efforts of our film commissioner Drew Mayer - Oakes and WB I was able to land my SUNSET tee in the film.

Angel Manuel Soto ( Blue Beetle, Wrecking Crew) and Pawel Pogorzelski (Hereditary, Beau is Afraid) in El Paso. Pawel in our Desert People Hat.

Still from the film **Blue Beetle** . Jaime ( Xolo Maridueña) in the “Taco” with our **Desert People Sunset Tee**.

With the premiere of the film approaching, a mutual friend and filmmaker Luis Galindo was able to produce a short film in partnership with Warner Brothers to promote Blue Beetle in El Paso. I was tapped to be a cinematographer on the project to highlight “El Paso’s Blue Beetle Skateboarding Battalion”.

**Gil Martinez - Wallride 2023** Photo by : Mark Martinez (Luis Galindo in background)

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER ( 2025)

In the Summer of 2024, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Production of One Battle After Another setup camp in El Paso Texas under extreme secrecy. Shortly after, I was notified by a local actor Alberto Telles that the film was looking for some skateboarders. After responding the casting, I was able to speak to PTA’s Casting Director, Cassandra Kulukundis, on the phone for what exactly what they were looking for. A few phone calls and hours later we were able to setup an audition a day later with some friends I thought would work for Cassandra. The following day I arrived with my friends Gil Martinez and Luis Trejo to do a “Skate Audition” in downtown El Paso along with Elijah Sambrano. Gil and Luis later found out they landed the roles.

Julian, Elijah, Luis and Gil in ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER

Leonardo Dicaprio, Benicio Del Toro and Gil Martinez in ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER ( Bob, Sensei, and Beegee)

**Gil Martinez**, **Leonardo Dicaprio** and **Benicio Del Toro** in **ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER** ( Bob, Sensei, and Beegee)

**Luis Trejo**, **Gil Martinez**, and **Julian Corral** in **ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER**

OBAA online promo I shot, directed, and edited. Story by Gil Martinez and Myself.

From the Plaza and Premiere Cinemas screenings.