Meet the Team

Chairman

Co-Founder

 Carlos M. De La Torre is a Director, Writer, Executive Producer, Co-Founder, and Chairman of Tower Productions, formed in 2016. He graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2018 with a Double Bachelor's Degree in Digital Media Production and History. Some of the films he's Written and Directed include the award winning short films, “So, Who Was It This Time?”, "You Know What's Funny" , “The Tram”, and feature film, "Depth of Field". He has written and directed over 15 short films, a feature film and has various feature film projects in different stages of development. Additionally, has served as an executive producer for over 40 films.

Carlos is also the Chairman, Executive Producer and co-host of the TowerCast Network which houses the TowerCast Podcast and WatchTower Film Podcast, respectively. He is also a frequent contributor and guest host of the weekly radio program On Film (KTEP, 88.5 FM, NPR).  Additionally, De La Torre also serves on the Advisory Board of El Paso Film Festival. 

His cinematic hero is Martin Scorsese.

Chief Executive Officer 

Co-Founder

Austin T. Young is a Producer, Editor, Co-Founder, and Chief Executive Officer of Tower Productions. He has produced over 40 short films including. the award winning short films, “So, Who Was It This Time?”, "You Know What's Funny" , “The Tram”, and feature film, "Depth of Field". Young has edited over 17 films and continues to excel in both mediums while running day to day operations of the company. 

Austin also serves as the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Producer and editor of the TowerCast Network which houses the TowerCast Podcast and WatchTower Film Podcast, respectively. 

His favorite film director is Christopher Nolan.

Chief Creative Officer

Co-Founder

Erik L. Sanchez is a Writer, Director, Associate Producer, Co-Founder, and Chief Creative Officer of Tower Productions. He graduated from El Paso Community College with a Associate of Arts Degree in 2023. Sanchez has been an Associate Producer for over 40 short films and has written and directed the short films,”Night Dread”,  "Roulette", and "Rooster's Beak". Sanchez has also been the Director of Photography for various shorts and the feature film, "Depth of Field". 

His favorite film directors are John Carpenter, Steven Spielberg, and Quentin Tarantino.

Chief Operations Officer

Michael D. Head is a Writer, Director, DP, Editor, Associate Producer, Visual Effects Artist, and Chief Operations Officer for Tower Productions. Michael graduated from Full Sail University in 2014 with a Bachelor's Degree in Digital Cinematography, Asbury University in 2017 with a Master's Degree in Digital Storytelling, and in 2019 a MFA in Film and TV Production. Michael has Written and Directed various short films including "Night Shift", "Poster Girl", and "Assumed". He has also worked as a Cinematographer for various productions including the award winning short films, "Precognition" and "You Know What's Funny". Head is  Aputure Lighting Certified and Davinci Resolve 16 Advanced Editing Certified

His favorite director is Mike Flanagan.

 President of Development

Ricky Rodriguez is a Writer, Director, Associate Producer, and President of Development for Tower Productions. Rodriguez wrote and directed the films, “The (Other) Fall Guy” and  "You're in Trouble" as well as being the production sound mixer and boom operator for over 20 short films. Rodriguez has served as an Associate Producer for over 20 short films with Tower Productions.

His favorite film director is Edgar Wright.

President of Production

Daniel Herrera is an Editor, Director of Photography, Camera Operator and President of Production for Tower Productions. He graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2019 with a Bachelor's Degree in Digital Media Production. Herrera has been an Editor for various short films including the award winning short film, “You Know What’s Funny”, and “The Tram” as well co-editor for the feature film "Depth of Field". He has also served as a Director of Photography for various short films including, “The (Other) Fall Guy”, and  "You're In Trouble", respectively.

 His top 3 favorite film directors are Christopher Nolan, Wes Anderson, and Kevin Smith.

Senior Vice President of Development

Jesse Fraire is an Emmy Award-Winning Director, Editor, Actor, Visual Effects Artist, Graphics Designer, and Vice President of Development for Tower Productions. He directed the award winning film, "Precognition" as well as played the lead role in the film, "Night Shift". Fraire has acted in various films as well as have served behind the camera and in post production in various projects. He is also responsible for the Tower Productions Film Intro and TowerCast Logo work.

His favorite film directors are Steven Spielberg and Ryan Murphy.

Vice President of Development

Francis Yzaguirre is a Producer, Writer, Assistant Director, Script Supervisor, and Vice President of Development for Tower Productions. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, she has been involved in the arts including dancing with Rosa Guerrero’s Ballet Folklorico and Viva! El Paso.

This helped her gain a deep understanding and appreciation of her Mexican-American and Indigenous culture, but most importantly a love and pride for the borderland.

She graduated with a degree in English from UTEP and is now an educator. Since 2021, she has collaborated with several El Paso film production companies as a Script Supervisor and First Assistant Director. In 2022, she served as the Assistant City Producer for the El Paso 48 Hour Film Project Festival. Yzaguirre now serves as a Producer and Writer with Tower Productions.

Her favorite films are "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" and "Kill Bill".

Senior Vice President of Production

TowerCast Network President

Michael De La O is a Cinematographer, Gaffer, Associate Producer, and Vice President of Production for Tower Productions. He graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2021 with a Bachelor's Degree in Digital Media Production. Some of the films he has served as the director of photography include the award winning short films, “So, Who Was It This Time?” and “Just Passing Through”. De La O is currently writing his directorial debut with Tower Productions, coming soon. He also produced the award-winning short film, "En Tus Brazos Esta Noche”.  

De La O is the President of the TowerCast Network which houses the TowerCast Podcast and WatchTower Film Podcast, where he serves as a co-host, respectively.

His favorite film director is Wes Anderson.

Vice President of Production

 Isaac Jason Carranza's a Producer, Unit Production Manager, Gaffer, and Vice President of Production for Tower Productions. He graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2013 with a Bachelor's Degree in Digital Media Production. He has been involved in the film and music industry in various capacities such as producer, associate producer, unit production manager, 1st assistant director, second assistant director, and grip & electric specialist through the course of his career. Carranza regularly returns to his alma mater to support other aspiring filmmakers on their quest. He now assists with the development and production of various ongoing projects within the company.

He also produced the award-winning short films, "So, Who Was It This Time?" and "En Tus Brazos Esta Noche”.  

His favorite films are "The Exorcist" and "Midnight Cowboy".

Composer

Eduardo Garcia has been the in-house composer for Tower Productions since the feature film, "Depth of Field". Since then, he has composed over 30 short films and various other media projects. Garcia has a Master's Degree at the University of New Mexico in Musicology. He has played with various symphony orchestras, bands, and mariachi’s all over the southwest.

His favorite film director is Christopher Nolan.

Actor  

TowerCast Network Vice President

Jon Erik Castro is an Actor, Writer, Producer, FPV Drone Pilot, and Vice President of the TowerCast Network. He has been with Tower Productions since the beginning with the first short film, “(Sun) City Lights”. He has starred in over 20 Tower Productions films including the award-winning films, “You Know What’s Funny?” and “The Tram”. Castro has also  helped develop the TowerCast Network and shares his time as a VP and host for the TowerCast Podcast and WatchTower Film Podcast, respectively. Castro graduated from UTEP in the summer of 2019 with a degree in Digital Media Production. 

His favorite film director is Guy Richie

TowerCast Network Producer

Erick Nunez is a Writer, Director, and Producer. He graduated from Full Sail University with a Certificate of Completion in Film Science in 2020. He lived and continues to work in Los Angeles and New York including in studios such as Steiner Studio in Brooklyn, New York in various capacities for various scales of production from multi-million dollar films to indie productions. Nunez also has various experience in marketing and currently serves as the Producer in the TowerCast Network, producing both the TowerCast Podcast and WatchTower Film Podcast, where he serves as a co-host, respectively.

His favorite film director is Stanley Kubrick.