We’re looking forward to introducing you to Deion Galindo & Laurel Hatfield & Jonathan Diaz. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Deion & Laurel & Jonathan, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
(Deion) What I’m most proud of building is the part of our work that no one ever really sees, the foundation. The long, quiet hours that happen well before a camera is turned on.
It’s the time we spend developing characters, building worlds, and mapping stories out visually before they ever exist on screen. We obsess over who our characters are at their core, how they think, how they change, and how the world around them shapes their decisions. That unseen work is what allows our stories to feel layered, grounded, and emotionally real.
I’m also incredibly proud of our team’s creative dynamic. The way Laurel, Jonathan, and I collaborate feels rare. We constantly bounce ideas off one another, challenge each other, and build on each other’s instincts. There’s a natural rhythm to the collaboration that makes the process feel almost effortless, even when the work itself is demanding.
Most people only experience the final product, but what they don’t see is the care, time, and collaboration that went into creating it. That invisible work is where our strongest stories and most complex characters are truly built.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We’re DogCatBear Productions, a Central Florida–based production house built on storytelling, collaboration, and community. Film is where we started, but our vision has always been bigger than any single medium. At our core, we create stories, whether that’s through film, branded content, immersive experiences, photography, or creative development for businesses and organizations.
Right now, we’re in a dynamic phase of growth. We’re entering pre-production on a new horror short film while finishing post-production on a comedy short, continuing to submit projects to film festivals, and actively working toward securing funding for our first feature film. At the same time, we’re expanding our services and partnerships beyond traditional filmmaking, allowing us to collaborate with brands, artists, and local businesses in meaningful and creative ways.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to community outreach and opportunity-building. We see DogCatBear not just as a production company, but as a creative home. One that creates real opportunities for creatives in Central Florida to gain experience, build relationships, and push their craft forward.
Film may have been our starting point, but we’re intentionally growing into something much larger: a collaborative production house that supports artists, serves brands, and helps elevate Central Florida as a place where ambitious creative work can thrive.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
(Laurel) As a child, I believed I had to choose one thing to be when I grew up and had to pick a single lane and commit to it forever. I was always passionate about so many things: acting, singing, writing, directing, producing, and even the business side of creativity.
As I’ve grown, I’ve realized that I don’t have to limit myself to just one identity or skill set. Instead of choosing between those passions, I decided to create my own path where all of them could coexist and inform one another. Each discipline makes me stronger in the others.
Letting go of the idea that I had to be “just one thing” gave me permission to build a career that actually reflects who I am. That shift has been one of the most freeing and defining realizations of my life.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
(Jonathan) Yes, there was a moment after college when I felt genuinely discouraged. The path forward in film didn’t feel clear or attainable at the time, so I made the decision to step into the corporate world instead. On paper, it made sense, but very quickly I realized that it wasn’t where my passion lived or where I was meant to be.
Film had always been what I envisioned for myself, even when I tried to convince myself otherwise. That pull never really went away. What brought me back was Smiles. It started as a small passion project between Laurel, Deion, and me. Something we were doing simply because we loved creating together. But that project reignited everything for me. It reminded me why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place.
That spark didn’t just pull me back into the film world, it grew into DogCatBear Productions. Looking back, that period of doubt was necessary. It clarified what I didn’t want and made me appreciate the work we’re doing now on a much deeper level.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
(Deion) We are deeply committed to our feature films, no matter how long they take to come to life. They’re always in motion whether their being written, refined, reworked, and pressure-tested. Even when they’re not actively in production, we’re thinking about them, strengthening them, and figuring out the best way to execute them.
That commitment goes beyond the stories themselves. We spend a lot of time building real, practical plans around how these films can actually be made, from budgeting and timelines to partnerships and distribution strategies. We’re realistic about the fact that feature films require significant resources and large budgets, but we don’t see that as a limitation. We see it as something to grow into.
We’re committed to expanding our company, strengthening our network, and building the kind of foundation that allows those films to be funded and created the right way. If it takes years, that’s okay. The belief is that the work is worth the wait and that patience, preparation, and consistency will get us there.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
(Laurel) I hope the story people tell is that my work left a lasting impact on their lives. That something they watched, experienced, or were part of made them see the world or themselves in a different way.
More than anything, I hope people felt seen. Seen in the characters, in the stories, or in the spaces we created for creativity to exist. If my work helped someone feel understood, less alone, or more confident in their own voice, then I did what I set out to do.
At the end of the day, projects come and go, but the way people feel because of them lasts much longer. That’s the legacy I care about most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dogcatbearproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogcatbearproductions?igsh=MTM3cnk0ZzQxcm5vcw==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dogcatbear-productions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1G4hWpZEz6/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dogcatbearproductions?si=5DGmcy3Hvhc7tfXh
Image Credits
None
