Plan B

Today I met with Milagros Bellido, journalist and a very smart woman. Introduced by a common friend, we happen to share same mission and values regarding the necessity to evaluate and push up the sense of nation and patriotism.
She has written many articles for years about the unjustice and biased opinions against the army by localized political and social groups that look to diminish, belittle and dismember the authentic mission of the Institution. She understood very clear what my mission was.

Her husband happens to be also the son of an army officer and he is now a high ranking officer in the Navy. His name sounds familiar in the army family's circle of friends.
We arranged a meeting with him to start talks with the Navy as plan B.

The army is taking too much to answer.
And the sad thing is that its not the Army itself....but just one or two people inside that trap my project.

Thank God 99% inside are in favor, but still. I need to move on.
Can't wait on them.

Explosives' on the way!

The explosives and ammunition for my film has just been ordered now for importation. Scheduled to get here in 45 to 50 days aprox, will arrive from the US inside a special container by the end of April.
Getting all the permits with Discamec and the Ministry of Interior is a hassle in itself but...necessary to do.

Can't wait to do some explosion's and gunfire tests!!

I just can't bear this heat anymore...

Focusing on the "art department"

Waiting for the commander in chief's approval is taking longer than expected. I can't say I'm calm but I'm handling it by working on other areas of the film like the Art Department meanwhile.

Last week I went to visit the site where the Bolognesi headquarters replica's at: the Real Felipe fortress, and today to the Museo de los Combatientes del Morro de Arica (Heores of the battle of Arica museum). I brought along the interior designer and friend of mine Juan Carlos Araujo. This is gonna be the first time he gets involved in a project of this size and type but I'm sure he will deliver. Besides, I trust him as a person and as an artist.

The museum is awesome and both places really bring you closer to how they lived, weared and also gives a better perspective of how the furniture, architecture and atmosphere were in that era. I want it to be well detailed in the film.

Here are some pics in the Respuesta Replica at the Real Felipe fortress and the House of Bolognesi.
Now the decorations and props that needs to appear on the film is better understood now.
















Definitely...I love this era.
The high ceilings and tall doors and slim corridors of Bolognesi's house reminded me of my grandfathers' one in La Victoria. Their house was from the early 1900's.

And the final word is....

Today I was told that the colonel in charge had a meeting finally with the Commander in Chief about my film project to get the final approval signature.

I haven't heard nothing back yet but people inside tell me not to worry and that its a go.
I would like to know the final answer formally and to be a positive one.
I'll just have to wait until Monday. Gonna be a long weekend.

It's been six years (now seven) of my life into this dream.
It's been a long wait...

Trade

The whole week has been full of meetings at the army headquarters about me beginning doing a few videos and TV commercials for them. It was agreed to be like a "I help you/you help me" kinda thing so I'm cool with that. It's fair enough.

The first thing I'm gonna cover is how the army fights against the insurgent terrorist forces in the VRAE region and kidnap little kids to brainwash them with terrorist ideology.
I'm working on the script and production matters.
I would like to put my own grain of sand on the makeover the army is in truly need of.

I told the colonel to please move my project faster with the Commander in Chief as I'm delivering faster than them. I feel I've waited enough and need to move on to other production things like the uniforms. Can't have them ordered without a formal approval of the army's involvement on my film project. What am I to do if I have 500 uniforms ready for the film when I can't get 500 army people to play the soldiers?

Later I have my next meeting with the explosions expert. He is charging a bit high but offers not only knowledge of what I want but also safety above all.

Marketing talks and pre-sale

Today I had another meeting with the CEO of the TV station I'm gonna air my film in.
On the prior talks we had it was suggested that I make it a TV mini-series (of a certain amount of episodes) for it could not only allow me to recover my expenses but also make a profit.

After long thoughts I agreed but I'm gonna push it further as to also make a movie out of it by making a two hour version specially for a feature length.

Five episodes were agreed and also a marketing campaign a few months prior to the film's premiere.
It sounds so promising. I'm excited.

TV meeting went very well

Today's meeting at the TV station was simply productive.
I was sitting with the CEO Federico Anchorena, owner Ernesto Schutz, Programming Manager and two army officers. The TV people were open and easy going. It set the mood of the meeting very good for me.

They were very interested.
They are proposing me to make a TV series of a certain amount of chapters instead of a feature film because the latter, once it's shown...all ends, but with the a series, the income is constant and it can be more exploited. I think I'll consider that for not only do I want to recover my investment but also have earnings over it.

That means I'd have to write much more than what I was doing to fill up many chapters.
Damn...that's more work but it means also more exposure and earnings...so I'll do it.
Another meeting is due with them next week.

I hope this finally sets the army to offer its total support, something that is such a headache so far.
Bureaucracy in a way.
I'm glad I have people inside that believe in me and this project.

Just to be patient and wait for contract signing.
This is an important dream to me.

Make up...still worrying about it

New talks with the make up artist.
Maybe make up tools will be needed to be imported from the US as some characters need stuff on that isn't available here. Apart from that, I cant seem to find an actor that can portray one of the characters of my film so perhaps I'll have to do it. The only problem is how to cover my somewhat oriental features.

That's gonna be a good challenge but if it doesn't work I'll just have to contend with another guy.

Here I am with Fernando Flores. 16 years of friendship since theater school.

Explosions and weaponry expert

I set up a meeting with an explosions and weaponry expert today to discuss aspects of my film.

I have been very worried lately about the safety and the necessary regulations and care this details needed.

The army has a logistical department called Engineering and also the Artillery and weaponry. Apart from helping with the blank cartridges and charges, it is simply a difficult topic I prefer to leave for the experts for safety and knowledge reasons, so the Army will do. Being an independent film, can't afford much insurance for everything so the Army are the experts and they will take care of it.

Army History Commission

Things are coming along after so many (and I do mean many) meetings and coordinations.
For a while it seemed like the army was making things a bit hard but I guess now it is flowing a bit easier.

I do hope so at least.

I made a long and detailed document for the Army History Commission to review about my screenplay and how I plan to aboard this war topic. I just received the news today that they have approved it. Im glad about it. It would have been a pain to have to re-write stuff to try to acomodate thir view.

Six years of research on the topic don;t go unnoticed. I definetly know what Im doing here (if I may say so).

Now, let's move on with the project.

TV station meeting

Meeting went awesome!

I set up a meeting with the Programing Manager of the TV station and -as he stated over the phone- he was pretty interested.
I told the army about the meeting so they could come too and see for themselves that all is getting more serious.

The next step is to meet with the General Manager to secure airing once my film is done and to talk publicity and budget terms.
So far, the manager states that there is no problem and can assure it's a go.
That gives me peace but I'd like this last meeting with the General Manager and then with the army to have the green light and their support for what I'm only asking for them.

This delay is affecting me really for I can't assure precise filming dates to the cats and crew.
If God allows me, filming time will be in April but I still have a lot to do after the army gives their support.

They asked me to do a long summary about all the details I will cover in my film script and send it to the Army History Commission for their review.

One curious thing was that when I got to the station, I recognized an old friend of mine from my school years working as security for the building. He is from my same class and it was such a surprise!
What a small world this is! We chat for a bit and it was good to see him there. "Anything you want just let me know" -he said.

That's what good friends are for. :)

The higher you go, the tougher it gets

God, it's such a struggle to push this forward. Things are getting bigger but also getting rougher.
Too much paper work and some requirements from the army.

I understand they need to have their image and needs carefully satisfied but I do too. That's just like 30% of all the things I need to coordinate with my film and so far that's what is talking most of the time like if it was the 100%.

I'm gonna have a meeting on monday with a TV station to secure the airing of the film once it's completed. It's gonna be an important meeting. A defining one in a way.

Two more actors

Gave a call to my good old friends from theater school Alberick Garcia and Richard Delgado after almost four years of not seeing each other.

Told them about my film and they are in.
That's good news. I trust their acting talent and I'm glad they will be in the project.
I want Alberick to play Arias y Araguez (for his resemblance to him) and Richard to play Francisco Cornejo.

The number of actors I need to play the heroes are almost complete.

Another actor friend joining the club!

Among the many actor friends I'm asking to get aboard my film project is my good ol' buddy Havier Arboleda.
We haven't seen each other for almost seven years now and the last thing we did was the PNP police commercial back in 2003 and also with my good friend and her girlfriend Analí Cabrera who plays her wife in the TV spot. She was resting in that moment for she is under heavy chemotherapy since a year ago so we had the meeting with just Havier and me.

Catched up on our lives and he was glad to be part of my project. I asked him to let his chin beard and mustache grow and also agreed.

So far...so good on the casting front.
Tomorrow Saturday, meeting with my next actor friend Manuel Rojas. I'm sure he will like to be in this too.

My film requirements meeting.

A meeting today at the general headquarters took place.
It was a long one (9am till 4pm) and we got to do the letter of recommendation destined for the Commander General. I reviewed it and it was fine.
The only thing that worries me is the fact that while addressing the ammo requirements and cavalry necessities, it ends up more than I expected it to be and the costs will rise up considerably in severla thousands of dollars.

Better move fast and see where I can cut corners or try to see a more efficient way to mimic it in post.

A war without fire and explosions isn't a war anyway.
It is as important as the uniforms themselves.

I came back home with a weird sensation but I know I will make it.
I just have to be positive. Good things are hard to achieve and this is no exception.

A new year now 2010

It's a New Year 2010.
A new hope and a new beginning.

I have learnt.
I have fallen.
I have cried
and I have gotten up again.

I am getting up.
Still with lots to do but with a lot of ideas and drive.

This will be a good year.
Oh yes it will!
:)

La música

Me reuní con mi amigo Fernando De Lucchi esta noche y fue algo bueno. No solo en ponernos al día en nuestras vidas de los ultimos años sino tambien en hablar sobre mi proyecto.
Le estoy propniendo componer el "tema" principal de mi película. He pensado encargarme de la música incidental pero depende de precios para ver si encargo mas a otros. Muchas cosas no lo hago asi no por angurriento ni acaparador, sino por tema económico. Felizmente conozco del tema sino no podría hacerlo.
Se barajaron varias ideas, y es que hay varios parametros que deseo sean cumplidos. El primero es que no solo deseo darle a la música un tono marcial sino además que tenga esa energía épcia y egregia. Algo mas "widescreen", algo bien "cinemascope" como cuando uno iba a ver esas peliculas grandes en los 50's. Se que puede sonar pretensioso pero no lo considero tal. Pondré mi mejor esfuerzo en traducir eso en imagenes que lo respalden.


Y el segundo es en lo natural del sonido. Ambos nos entendimos en esto porque tenemos los dos estudios de grabacion de audio y sabemos como músicos lo barato y/o falso que pueden sonar las cuerdas y metales en los sintetizadores o en algunos teclados.
Es lo que mas delata en una canción...ese sonido que muchos lo conocen como el "sonido Casiotone" (en referencia a eso teclados/juguete baratos que aparecieron a comienzos de los 80's y que tenian un sonido característico). Quizás en general muchos no lo notarían pero el purista o entendido sí, y eso restaría seriedad al proyecto.

Se barajó la posibilidad de usar músicos en vivo pero no creo que dé mi presupuesto, al menos que se sepan de alternativas que puedan cubrir esos costos. Sería interesante quizas mezclar instrumentos secuenciados por sintetizador mas músicos reales. Eso sí lo podría cubrir. Los matices mezclados le darían esa realidad de "orquesta sinfónica" que necesito para el film.

Pero...todo es presupuesto. Veremos como avanzo con ello en estos días.

Make up and prosthetics...not a good start

Ok, this is worry some.

Morning today was the make up and prosthetics camera tests but...the mustache applications weren't good. It didn't look realistic for my friend's expertise is more toward theater techniques than for film.

One thing to keep in mind is that theater make up is designed to be appreciated at a far distance for one's features need to be exaggerated to "reach" as far as the last seat in the row in a theater or auditorium, as in film....film needs to be natural and realistic for cameras -while doing close up shots- give away any imperfection....and now specially if I'm shooting in high definition!

So...I'm out of ideas so far. We juggled a few alternatives but I'll keep looking for ways to make it work.

This is extremely important now.

Found my lead actor!

I finally got the lead actor to sign in for my film!!
I met Fernando Bakovic thru a friend of mine and we arranged a meeting for this evening.
Walked him thru the whole project and explained what Id like Bolognesi to be portrayed as.

I'm glad he liked the dimension this project is growing to be and...he is in!
I can see that in person he has the strong features I was looking for and with make-up and some prosthetics, he will do just fine.

By the way....tomorrow I'm expecting the prosthetics specialist for the mustache and beard camera tests and then in the afternoon the meeting with the music composer.
I'll be writing the incidental music for the film but Id like another person to do the theme song and three songs for the main characters plus one for the enemy Chilean forces. Kind like their "Leit Motifs".

Have some melodies in mind that I want to play to him to use and develop.

Positive meeting!!

The meeting went very well!!

The entity inside of the army that required my presence was a committee set to study and analyze the psychological impact all types of work that involves the army, would have on the general public.

And mine was to their liking and approval!!

I explained in detail what the mission and inner involvement I have with my film so they could see it has been responsibly approached (I mean, 6 years of my life into this isn't a joke, right?).

So they will make with my help a letter to send to the commander general that my film is up to par and that their help can come my way!

Of course I need the letter signed by the army proving with it their formal support with what I need form them. But all is coming on January as these days are holidays.

I'm so happy about this progress, apart that I met good people in those officers.

Small moves and all is going well!

A new meeting...more hope

Today I got a call from the general headquarters by a colonel identifying himself as the one who I need to talk to about the needs I'll have for the film.

Other colonels told me he would call but time passed as these last weeks have been busy for the army: the miltary parade (that was supposed to be done on July 28th but was postponed till December 8th because of the Swine Flu thing) and the Army Day that is on the 7th.

it has alaso been interesting as Peru will be aquiring around 300 tanks. The thing is that from the three countries that are on the bidding (Russia, Poland and China), these latter one gave us tanks form less of a price and improving the standards that we needed to compete with the Chilean ones (the german made Leopard).

At $5 million each it was a bargain, but many are criticizing the purchase as its like a re-engineered tank and not built from scratch to meet the

high standards needed. Kinda like putting a Mercedez Benz motor into a Toyota chassis, so to speak. Not bad but not the best either. The new tanks MBT2000 were shown on this last parade causing much media attention and interest comapred to the old T-55 that we have had since the 70's.

I'm definetly in favor of renewing our army forces equipment but if I could have a saying in the decision-making process I'd definetly choose the best tank (maybe the Russian made T-90s). It costs much more and we woudlnt be able to buy 300. Maybe buy 240 or so, but put togerher with the old ones we have we might be able to feel we have made a wise purchase.

Anyway, the last word hasn't been said. China is re-tewking the tank and they only gave us 5 for the parade and will deliver the new ones in a 12 month span.

They have a few things to upgrade and then our tanks would lastly be up to par with our needs.

Many people feel investing in weaponry is a loss of money when we have poor people, hunger and education lacking more funds. I agree on that as a nation with knowledge and health is the best, but I also agree that a nation needs to be able to protect it's sovereignty and be able to repel any enemy action that challenges our peace and resources, specially when countries next to us are arming themselves way much more than us. We can't repeat the same error we did 130 years ago. There's a slogan I like that belongs to the United States army that states" "Army: not to promote war, but to preserve peace". I'm nodding.

Last Saturday was the Commander General's birthday so, that was another busy day for the army too.

So now, at last, another busy week for meetings at the general headquarters. Im having my hopes high for my film.

:)

Waiting almost ending

Haven't posted anything in some days. Been busy polishing the script.

I somehow feel more cleanly inspired and the new details put in it will embelish it.

Still have to rush it though as time flies and sooner or later the new script will be needed.

The army hasn't told me anythign yet and I've been waiting patiently to see if the Comander General would repeat his leadership again this next year (I so crossed my fingers as starting all over again the talkings and negotiations would be such a delay) and I think he will remain this 2010 (unless anything happens last minute).

This last Friday there was a mass on his name on the general headquarters and the priest and him gave away some words that denote his continuation in office. His speech gave it away too but I'll be more safely assured to read it officially.

Here comes the cavalry!

Went today to visit the cavalry school to seek support for my film.
They loved the idea and even offered some suggestions. I am looking also for horses that know how to fall, for the script need explosion scenes that make the horses and soldiers fly and fall.


Seems a bit difficult but if I've seen that in movies then it's possible.
Anyway, I love horses and it was good to see those noble animals after a while.

Pushing the project forward

Went today to the Hoyos Rubios army fort in the Rimac district. Home of the 18th Armored Brigade run by General Pitot.
In my prior talking to him and also in the ceremony two days ago, he digged my film project idea and agreed to help on my requirements. Now, with the help of their industrial areas I can make uniforms and soldier battle accessories like belts, bullet casings and backpacks. Of course, I DO need to buy and give them all the materials for they won't spend a dime. Still, its better than to have it made somewhere else. I'm saving the manufacturing expense here.

It was also nice to find there a guy that I met back in 2005 while visiting Tacna in one of my research trips down there. He was an army officer in a lower rank and now he has gone up the ladder. Proved the general that I've been in this thing for quite a long time already.
Things are developing well so far.

I joined the legion!

Last week I joined the "Orden de la Legion Mariscal Caceres" (Order of the Mariscal Caceres Legion) and today was the ceremony at the Salaverry Military Center.

This legion is about promoting our nationa hero Andres Avelino Caceres.
I have already made my intention known that if my film project goes along well, I'll continue with Caceres and the Breña Campaign he did back in 1881 to repel the chilean forces out of Peru.
His life and patriotism goes along the ones that defended with honor our nation like Bolognesi and Ugarte.
Although he did not die in battle, he fought in several and even was president twice later on after the war.
General Pitot was there also and he agreed to meet with me this Friday to talk about my need for clothing machinery to make the soldiers wardrobe. He agreed but details will be talked in depth in the meeting.


It was a nice ceremony and also the Commander General was here. Just got a brief talk with him.
Im getting closer now!

The doors are opening slowly

The meeting went smooth and fine. The Secretary General loved my project!!
He went ahead and gave his opinion that the Commander General would also approve it.
I shared my uneasiness regarding nowadays situation with this "spy" incident and if it would be a threat to my idea. He didn't think so.

One step closer now....one step closer.

Meeting with the Commander General

Tomorrow, finally, I have the meeting with the Commander General.
It is exciting to know I'm getting to talk to the one deciding.

But what kills me with anxiety is the risk now, the huge risk, of having this project, a project of approximately 6 years, be put on hold or not taken because of the recent "spying/traitor" case with Chile.
New things are coming out in the open and it's all over the news nationwide and in other countries.

The situation is very delicate right now between Peru and Chile and I guess my project will have to be reviewed by not only this Commander General but also by the Secretary of Defense and maybe by the President itself. And with how the things are happening, I just hope it doesn't get banned or put on hold just because of "national security" reasons.

My approach is historical and not looking to make anyone look bad. Just showing facts as is in a very human way.

More than ever, our country and our heroes deserve to be remembered in a different light. More than ever, we Peruvians need to commit ourselves to our sense of being a nation and feel proud about it, but that's my intention and may not be taken as such by those deciding people.

I wish I wouldn't have to depend on those factors.
A dream, a project I'm in love with is in risk of being frustrated.
I pray to God these events are the push I needed to make this happen faster instead.

It all depends on God now...I just wish I knew what his plans are for me on this.

A traitor among us....!

It just came out to nationwide awareness two days ago of a delicate incident that is of every Peruvian interest: a member of the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) has been found to have been selling sensitive information to Chile since 2003 to the present year. From army codes, national defense strategies until 2021 and also the names of all agents of our counter-intelligence service on duty.

(Click here for the recent news)

It's under thorough investigation and about to be defined if it will be treated under civil or martial justice for treason against the nation and as a spy. For either case he would spend around 35 years in prison and no less than 15 at the best of cases.

Since the 1993 Peruvian Constitution, the death penalty has been abolished in cases of treason against the nation unless its during war times (which we aren't now), so his ass is saved.

What is gathered among many Peruvians -apart from their obvious dislike about this- is that he deserves the most strong of punishments for this act of treason. Many suggest death penalty (which we had it until 1979) and few less radical sanctions.

Now I'm sure, if death penalty was still constitutional, the Human Rights Organization would jump to the ceiling in his defense for this act, but my thinking is (and with all respect to human life), how far is a human being willing to go for just 3 thousand dollars per month (what he was paid by Chile) putting at risk the lives of 30 million Peruvians not only in their physical but psychological form by selling info of national security? If we don't set an example that laws need to be obeyed and respected and that it applies to everybody so they think hard before committing such an atrocity against their nation, how can we progress united as a nation? How can we instill in our countrymen the need to protect ourselves and our boundaries? How are we gonna teach the masses that no matter how hard the economy is there are simply things (like these) that just cannot be done?

Now, for just one guy's personal interest, our nation has been put at risk (and has been for the past 6 years) and up until 2021 (and now forced I guess to change our strategy of defense and do a deep investigation of how many more are involved by Internal Affairs and the Justice Department).

There are things that can;t be forgiven and this is simply one of them.
To respect the "rights" of one guy over the rights of 30 million is simply illogic...or in my opinion, unacceptable.

I just hope this present event doesn't spoil also my film project which among all countries around us, had to be with Chile (the one we had the war with in the film).

I wonder what our national heroes of that time would think of this.
I'm sure Bolognesi is turning upside down in his grave.

Peruvian Army Headquarters meetings

Had another meeting today (4th one already) at the General Headquarters today. We colloquially call it the "Pentagon" in jest as it plays the same role as the US army one.

Meetings are getting better and negotiations are reaching a high point.

Now the next one is with the peruvian army general commander to agree in writing on the needs for my film. After that, it's mostly 70% done. Still need to secure sponsors funding.

On a side note; every time I come here can't help but recall my school years when sometimes we used to come and march every June 7th with my PRG school.