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Saul's obituary

As a toddler, Saul displayed a curiosity and intelligence that would accompany him throughout his nearly 47 years of life. He was born on May 23, 1978 in Sacramento, California, raised by a single mother, harassed by a younger sister. Growing up in the 80's when special effects were having their moment, he formed deep love for music and cinema, no doubt inspired by the epic video for Michael Jackson's Thriller and the creepy special effects of E.T. and Jim Henson movies.  

He attended Mira Loma High School in Carmichael, CA, where he was both a drama geek and a band geek, playing alto saxophone in the marching band. For a time, he attended American River College in North Highlands, CA, where he studied art and was a journalist for the school newspaper, The American River Current. He then attended Ex'pressions Center for New Media in Emeryville CA. to learn how to make movies; it was his dream to work for Pixar or George Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic. While in Emeryville, he was a game tester for LucasArts. 

After school, Saul honed his craft while working for many years as a videographer and editor in Sacramento. At Christensen Media, he made commercials and toured throughout Europe with the Concord Blue Devils drum corps, creating their DVD and web content. With Jensen Films he gained experience in wedding videography and corporate videos, including for Dignity Health, where he worked with hospital staff that would later care for him during multiple heart surgeries

Saul founded Scary Guy Productions, Arizaga Media, and Goetia TV, where he was director, screenwriter, digital effects creator, graphic designer and editor specializing in content for Sacramento creative artists and musicians. He even won the Judges' Choice Award in the 2014 Love Horror Short Film Festival Challenge for his romantic short "The Rat Killer". You can view his work at https://www.youtube.com/@Goet…

Aside from his professional life, Saul was a poet, writer, artist, gamer, and a loyal and loving friend. He had an endless thirst for knowledge, and consumed information on anatomy, science, technology, politics, history, music and cinema. He never lost his ability to express childlike wonder and glee, and reveled in corny jokes and dark humor.  He was clever and funny, had a boisterous guffaw, and the only good singing voice in the nuclear family. He loved the ocean, the redwoods, live music, and the magic of Disney. He was a foodie and an enthusiastic participant in any themed gathering; his costumes were unfailingly creative.  

He spent his life battling demons of depression, and miraculously survived the opioid epidemic, although with damage to his heart that would take him away from us far too soon. A stern "come-to-Jesus" from the nuns at Mercy General Hospital and the addiction support from NA gave him the tools and strength to overcome addiction and to help others escape theirs. He spent the last 7 years of his life sober, as a full-time caregiver for his mother. Together they indulged in a mutual passion for watching movies and television, especially action and thrillers. 

Saul is survived by his mother Dorothy, sister Sally, brother-in-law Marshan, and niece Marcela. A remembrance will take place on his 48th birthday, Saturday, May 23, 2026, at a location to be determined. 

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Memories & condolences

Oh, Saul.  You were my closest friend at Ex'pression.  We would burst into songs from Mary Poppins, we sang along with …
Oh, Saul.  You were my closest friend at Ex'pression.  We would burst into songs from Mary Poppins,…
Oh, Saul.  You were my closest friend at Ex'pression.  We would …

It’s funny I’m not sure where I met Saul but from the very beginning it felt like he was an old friend. He always made …

It’s funny I’m not sure where I met Saul but from the very beginning it felt like he was an old fri…

It’s funny I’m not sure where I met Saul but from the very begin…

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Saul Arizaga