Coming up in 24
In November of 2022, I was still working in my corporate tech job (RIP 6 figures) and produced one single film.
In 2023 I produced… 8 different projects.
I don't know yet what 2024 has in store for me. But I do have some projects from 2023 that I'm bringing into the new year that I'm really excited about.
Late Bloomers
Late Bloomers is a web series I produced, co-directed and am editing for GOLD Comedy. Back in June I was placed in a digital production team with other women and non-binary people. The 7 of us split roles in writing, producing, directing, acting and editing.
Originally I was supposed to produce and edit. Due to an interesting turn of events I also ended up co-directing with Arielle Duran. I've only really directed once, so I was really anxious about doing it justice since this was a collective project that 6 other people also owned.
We shot in December and I had the most fun I've ever had on a set. “Late Bloomers” is a straight comedy, which is unlike the typical projects I get to produce in film school, but exactly what I hope to do in my filmmaking career. One of the best things I've had to do in my *very* short directing career is telling an actor “I'm going to keep rolling, now have fun with it” and have the whole crew yell out joke ideas and struggle to keep silent on set.
I also got to bring my husband and son on set to play extras. I found it hard to look at the shots objectively and caught myself just staring at my son on the monitor, which definitely cost us some takes. Here he is, poking his nose and looking straight at the camera. 10/10 would cast again.
I spent the last 2 weeks organizing the footage and syncing the audio. I was surprised at how much that process taught me about directing and on-set work.
Embarrassing confession: a month ago I didn't *really* understand the role of the slate. Now, after manually syncing dozens (hundreds? I didn't count) of takes, boy do I understand it.
Going through the footage now also made me realize what I didn't get. Shots that I simply missed. Or shots that may not cut together as well as I thought they would.
So much of comedy comes through in the edit that I'm really excited to start cutting. But I'm equal parts dreading having to face my shortcomings as a director in the editing room. As the editor and director, I will have no one else to blame.
I hope you'll be gracious with me when I share my first cuts.
God In The Land of Santa Joana
God In The Land of Santa Joana is the next big project I'm producing. This is Patricia Colmenero's second year film in film school, and one I'm super excited about.
While we're both Brazilian filmmakers in NYC, Pat and I have very different filmmaking sensibilities. She wants to do dramas that address decolonization, queer rights and feminism. I want to do silly comedies. Yet, we have become kindred spirits at school. I pulled her to DP Late Bloomers (her first time as cinematographer!) and I'm committed to producing anything she does. She's an incredibly talented director with a unique voice and a lot to say.
Santa Joana is a historical absurd drama featuring an all-Brazilian female lead cast speaking Portuguese, with the white American antagonists speaking English. We film in the first week of February and we are currently fundraising. If you're feeling generous, please consider making a donation to our crowdfunding campaign.
Here's to a year full of exciting, rich and funny projects. 🥂