Civilian scenes now starting: Timotea Vernal

I haven't been posting as often as I used to these weeks for the loss we had surely gets to our emotions. At least I can say for sure of myself but, as others say, the show must go on.

We had a chance to go back to filming in a prior location we did early 2011: the Casona de San Marcos. This time was for some short scenes of Timotea Vernal meeting with Alfonso Ugarte in a garden plaza. We had for ourselves just Sunday and according to what we were told, the whole day was gonna be quiet and no public was to be present. Glad we started somewhat early for the last takes were a bit noisy thank to hundreds of people going in and out. Being a cultural center, it is always a place for dance shows, folk events and else. That very Sunday, after lunch time, little by little, masses of young poeple and audience began to fill the whole place, forcing us to ask for quietness during takes. It was a hassle, but the shots for beautiful. Maybe some takes I'll have to overdub and do some dialogue replacement.

Having finalized all battle scenes, this was the official start of the civilian scene parts of the film. The very last scenes of the whole project. Still many to do but we are almost close to completion.

Finished filming downtown

Finally wrapped up filming a the Casona downtown. This location has allowed great shots and also has been a blow of fresh air on the crew and actors as its more of a controlled environment compared to the desert location where we shot the battle and trenches scenes. The heat, dust and circumstances were simply hard to endure. And we are not done yet as we'll be back there to continue filming battle scenes in two weeks approximately.

This last weekend was just full of tight schedule hours and fast filming solutions but still making it look aesthetic. Finished filming a bit past midnight and counting the packing up and putting it all in the car we ended going home at around 5am!

One anecdote was that we had schedule Sunday to shoot the heroes meeting with More when he talks about the shipwreck of his Independence ship. I wanted it to be touching and very heartfelt. The actor had to make a quick trip to Huancayo (5 hours away from Lima) and due to be back on Tuesday. Had to pay his trip back as we had only till this Sunday to finish in that location. Early that day he called me and said there were some floods and mudslides that blocked the highways and there were no buses coming to Lima until further noticed. It was worry-some as all was set for that scene and we had that last day to shoot it. Thank God he found a way and arrived onset at around 6pm. Long scene but made it finally.
Definitely, The Lord has its ways to put us to the test.

Now...preparing the next scenes in our next two locations: Chorrillos and Callao.

Securing interior locations

When I was little, maybe not more than seven years old, my grandfather used to walk all around downtown and take me with him and that's how I learned of many awesome places in the historic district of Lima downtown.

One that called my attention a lot was the Parque Universitario (University Park). Back then in the late 70's, it used to be full of street beggars, improvised street commerce, pickpockets, and senior men sitting around concrete chess tables playing for hours and the usual onlookers surrounding them.

It was the end of the military government and the city was getting back on track with thing abolished by Velasco.

Next to the park was this beautiful, old but interesting building that was the original site of the San Marcos University (hence the name of the park) called La Casona de San Marcos.


I saw in awe all the old structures and building of what Lima used to be centuries ago and that shouted in a muted cry how ancient and valuable our peruvian history is.

Years later, back in 2007, I visited the park and building again. It was under reconstruction and refurbishing. Some of the places were not open to the public so I had to wait.

Now in 2009 it's all done and the park looks so beautiful and cleaner. No filthiness and pickpockets anymore. More appealing to the public and tourists.

What I like so much about the Casona is that it keeps its looks and feel of the older times. The peruvian republican times of the 1800's. The colors used are the same that were used in the late 18'th century and early 19th. The decoration, the wood structure, etc. It all blends perfectly and lends itself to be the perfect location I was looking for the interior shots of the Prefectura where Bolognesi was sending the letters to from Arica asking for help and support.

One room inside will also be the interior of the Bolognesi headquarters in Arica that is known as the Casa de la Respuesta.

I already talked with the Director of the Casona and he is very excited about my film and ready to offer help in whatever I need.

Things can't be more appealing to me now.

Seems like all the stars are aligning in my favor.

But still....need more uniforms and budget for that.

Only got 150 promised and still lacking 200 more.