Getting close to final scenes north of Lima.

Been in talks about the "Infiernillo" TV pilot filmed recently. Glad it has gathered a lot of attention for its form and quality that differs from what is usually shown here on national television. The point is to elevate the standards and offer entertainment but with similar quality as north american series have. Working to have negotiations closed and positive.

Now restarting filming sessions for Gloria del Pacifico and the final week for all scenes to be shot here in this location. Facing dilemmas again regarding police personnel that helps with massive scenes as they are already starting to rehearse for July 28 (Independence Day) so schedules are becoming hard to complete. Filming these days scenes that require few to no soldiers and the good old extras are here to help but it's worry some for I still have scenes that require hundreds.

Working hard on it...but glad to know I'm close to finishing in this location.
Filming today in a few. This internet usb device connection is extremely slow here. Takes way too long to load a page (if ever). Not even cell signal here.

Good people liking what they do here.

Lagos and Baquedano.

Applying adornments to Baquedano's uniform jacket.

"El Infiernillo" TV pilot side project finally done

After many days working on it, the filming and editing process of  "El Infiernillo" is finally done. Im quite happy with the images and results and it has been a pleasure working with so many talented people again and some new. It has been like a blow of fresh air to work with more assistants this time that makes it all easier in a way, but it is a smaller in scope compared to "Gloria del Pacifico" so I'm just keeping it in perspective.

I started with Reynaldo Arenas and Hernan Romero for they could only coincide one single day so we had to shoot fast. I met Reynaldo back in 2003 when filming another movie together up in the highlands and this is the first time I get to work with Hernan. Few people know that since my teenage years back in the 80's when I could start to see myself in this acting and film business, these fine extremely talented actors were the ones I looked up to. Those marvelous performances on TV were quite the inspiration. During filming back in 2003, I told Reynaldo so...now this 2012, I told Hernan the same fact.

Now many years after, this is the second time directing Reynaldo and the first one for Hernan. What do you know... directing the ones that somehow shaped my artistic taste decades ago.

Jose Luis Ruiz, whose idea is portrayed here was kind enough to give me enough rope and trust in selecting the actors and making artistic changes in order to make it appealable. The idea of a modern Jesus who fights against all odds with just his word as a weapon has depth and a message to tell, specially for those whose path has been twisted by delinquency and wrong-doing.

Quite an interesting experience filming with real prisoners and extras, specially for the mob scenes where a lot of control is needed. Working with hundreds of extras in "Gloria..."has helped a lot of course. Gives you handling techniques for it

So, after many sleepless nights, I have here in my hands the final product of "El Infiernillo" ready to shop it around. Just have to clear some copyright details here and there before showing it online.
Here, just a few behind-the-scenes pictures.

Now I can go back to continue filming "Gloria del Pacifico"again.

Here is the final product. The TV show pilot.

"El Infiernillo" - new side project

While filming "Voces en el Silencio" http://www.juancarlosoganes.net/2011/11/made-trailer-for-film-i-did-last-month.html , actor Jose Luis Ruiz told me about a TV series project he had in his hands for prompt realization. Now the time has come and just for two days, filming will take place in a prison with many inmates and actors participating on what will be an interesting drama because of the message and mission it gives and its importance for the real reforming of all people who happen to fall in disgrace inside places like this.

Now, it's just a matter of juggling this without affecting "Gloria del Pacifico" schedules.
Will post more stuff soon.

The roof and upper parts.

Full security.

The cell are small and really depressing...a bit crowded.

The actor in a pose and angle he will have in the film.

New TV pilot show being developed on the side

Something that is being cooked for some weeks now and is slowly becoming reality.
Will be directing a TV pilot for a new show with my friends Angel and Fiorella (who doesn't know Angel's Nicolasa puppet character on TV?). This time will be with new characters that are being developed and want to take puppets to a new level in language use and topics.

Production meeting today at his place and getting things ready to do it in a week. Puppet show on the go!

Good professional friends

With beloved character Nicolasa and her "double"

Cultural TV pilot

So, my friend Jose Alexis asked me to direct for him a TV show pilot.

It will be about cultural anecdotes of many popular places in Lima and province but that few people know details about.

Gerardo Zamora was invited to host this first section and many known artists and actors will be invited to explain and interview historians, war heroes' decendants and people who can sum valuable info on this good idea.

This first chapter was shot inside the beautiful Real Felipe castle near the port of Lima.

Wanted to shoot it in HD but the producers wanted to keep it SD for compatibility issues with their editing system. The sights were beautiful so it was a pitty not to be able to show structures in all their detail glory. Nonethless, it's a little good project and I hope it works its way to the stations and to the public. So far, we wanted to keep it simple but aesthetic and fun.