Emilio San Martin ’83 is an Emmy-nominated finishing editor who has been working in the film and television industry for more than 25 years. He has served in several roles in the industry, including editor, producer, writer, and voice-over actor.
Emilio San Martin ’83
“I am 100% Cuban from Dayton, Ohio,” said Emilio.
“My family is from Cuba. I am the first person in our family born outside of Cuba or Spain. My father was anti-Castro, and was jailed by Castro for speaking against him. When he was released, he commandeered a boat and escaped Cuba with my mom and two older sisters. They were in Miami, Florida for six months until he established his medical license in a few states and eventually settled in with a few other Cuban friends/exiles in Dayton. That is where he took my family, and where I was born. Eventually, we moved to Fort Lauderdale, and I transferred to Pine Crest in fourth grade.”
As the son of a doctor and a nurse, Emilio’s road to television has always conflicted with his interest in medicine.
“I wish I could ‘mulligan,’” he said, referencing a golf term meaning a do-over, “and go back and make a different decision. I majored in broadcast journalism and minored in medicine at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). I had the grades and the score for the MCAT. Not a year goes by that I don’t think about going back to school and studying medicine. But had I made the decision to pursue medicine instead of going into television, I would not have made the dear friends that I have now.”
Reflecting back on his childhood, Emilio said, “I used to go to my dad’s practice when I wasn't in school, my dad was a general practitioner and the doctor that the ‘dormies’ [Pine Crest boarding students] would see. When I was younger, I would join him for his rounds—I was always around the medical world. I always had an interest in medicine, but also in television. Originally, I wanted to be a sports broadcaster. When I was in college, I arranged to have an internship at CBS in West Palm Beach in the sports beat. I was pigeonholed into editing; they had me editing on my first day while the producer was showing me the ropes. I never got to be a sports broadcaster, and I do still occasionally think about going to medical school. Who knows what will happen in my life—maybe I’ll get my medical degree at 65. If I could help one family it would have been worth it.”
After attending FAU on a baseball scholarship, Emilio took a job with CBS in Orlando and soon with the Golf Channel, where he spent 19 years of his career. He freelanced in addition to his role there, working on a variety of reality TV shows and documentaries, eventually taking a job with Telemundo’s El Voz, the Spanish language version of Fox’s The Voice, in Los Angeles.
“Some of the shows I have worked on are not necessarily shows I would watch,” he said. “I love working on The Voice and the kids version, which I hope they bring back. It was so rewarding to work with the children and their families. I like to sing and am a very musical person. I gravitate to that, and love telling their stories—who they are, why they are trying out, their whole journey. As an editor, I really consider myself a storyteller, and that is what I love about what I do.”
Emilio San Martin ’83 on the set of The Voice
Four years ago, Emilio was thrown a major curve ball when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Impressively, the disease has not stopped him from doing the things that bring him joy. “I love writing. I love storytelling. I get the most joy out of writing and I am currently working on two books and three screenplays,” he said. This is the next chapter for me, no pun intended.”
One of the books he is currently working on is a collection of comedic anecdotes—some fabricated for humor, interwoven with his personal battle with MS.
“Mostly what I write is satirical,” he said. “The overarching theme is invoking humor into my journey with MS, while never losing sight of the impact of the hardship I am facing. I hope to help others dealing with MS, but also to help others understand what someone like me is going through. MS is a progressive, incurable disease. It’s been a challenge. I am not wheelchair-bound but that is a likely reality that I may be faced with. I walk with a cane; I embrace days that aren't that bad, and push through the ones that are. Sometimes it’s discouraging because I was an athlete and a dancer. I can’t do what I used to.”
As a Latino man, Emilio’s cultural heritage also plays a strong role in influencing his work. “I never lose sight of the pride I have in my heritage. It is a heritage my parents were proud of and I understand that I am part of a minority. I recognize that in some people’s eyes I am a minority, even though I am from Ohio!”
Over time, Emilio has grown to recognize the advantages his heritage and his schooling have provided him. In particular, he feels that growing up immersed in Cuban and American culture made him a more dynamic individual.
“My ability to speak Spanish has been invaluable to me in my career. I also speak French, thanks to Madame Tansey ’08H at Pine Crest. My culture has influenced me because I embrace it and respect the history of my family and their struggles. I had family in the Mariel Boatlift. I understand the challenges my parents had, the risks they took to bring their daughters to the United States. Eventually, they had me and my younger sister here in the States. We have the benefit of being Americans. I am proud to be an American and proud of my Cuban heritage. I don’t have to pick one or the other.”
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John Bodfish ’66, Jenni (Singleton) Simon ’83, and Emilio San Martin ’83
“My heritage has helped me and influenced my career because it has given me the opportunity to work on Spanish language TV. I get work all the time in New York, Los Angeles, Texas, and Florida on both English and Spanish shows.”
As inspired as his life and career have been, Emilio has not been exempt from having his own challenges.
“My issue now is mostly dealing with physical challenges. That’s not to say I didn’t have challenges growing up. I have always been someone who stands up for myself and stands up for others. Most of the ethnic or racial challenges I faced happened to me when I was young, in my teenage years or my 20s."
Emilio shared advice for young people. He wants them to remain encouraged and to remember that there will always be things worth fighting for.
“I encourage anyone who believes in something to stand up. There are things you can do, conversations you can have, and avenues you can pursue. Change the narrative. Sitting in the back and not being proactive is not going to help. I encourage people to speak up for themselves. You cannot allow yourself to be surrounded by negativity. If you swim in the sea of negativity, you will ultimately drown. If you can eliminate the negative elements that exist in your life, you will be better for it. Be the proud, resilient person you have within you. Encourage and embrace positivity in your life.”