For the love of……

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Gustamize

2015 is the year I’ve walked out of my comfort zone and tackled on new duties. If you’ve seen some of my posts you know that I’m the producer of the San Jose 48 Hour Film Project. I’m a filmmaker, family man and a full time employee. Taking on these duties have been awesome and I’m looking forward to 2016 and what I can do for next year. 

It’s definitely not easy by any means. I do this because I love filmmaking, I love the IndieFilm community and I firmly believe in the talented people we have here in the Bay Area. I’m basically a “behind the scenes” kind of guy. Writer, Director, and editor for my films. I do make some “Cameos” in my films, but public speaking has never been my best suit. However I am willing to go out of my comfort zone because I believe in this. I want this to grow. 

Balancing everything is not as easy as it seems. Running film festivals, or 48HFP isn’t a job that is going to make you rich. Either you bleed a little, if you’re lucky you break even. Hey maybe you’ll make 20 bucks!! J/K. All kidding aside every festivals out there is doing it because they love it. After a few years and several of sponsors you may make some money off of it but definitely not to live off the festival that’s for sure. 

I have major respect for the Festival directors that work hard for the filmmakers. Staying up late, stressing over screenings, making sure you make your money back for the theater you paid out of your own pocket. Taking kids to play dates, school events, and scouting events. It’s a lot. For me it’s all worth it when I see the people having fun, and when they say “Thank you” for putting on this event. It really gets me excited for the next event. 

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Dream killer……

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Gustamize

Being the producer of the San Jose 48HFP has been great. There’s no “manual” that will prepare you for when you literally stomp on people hopes when you announce “nominations”. Maybe I’m just a big softy, and I enjoying watching films from talented filmmakers, that I feel “bad” that their films didn’t get many nominations or in some times none at all. 

I’d like to think it’s the fact that I’ve been in that very same boat. I’ve had films that never won any awards. Perhaps I was nominated once or twice. I know how it feels and it sucks. However, I’m a filmmaker and I keep on making films. I keep supporting the indie film community. It didn’t discourage me. 

The Judges did their jobs and selected the films they felt fit for each category nominations and I respect that. It’s very interesting to see what films the Judges enjoyed, what the audience voted and what I enjoyed. I have to say that the line up for the films being shown definitely is a solid group of films. If you haven’t been to the screenings this should be a great night to check out the best of San Jose. 

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The beginning…..

Posted on August 23, 2015 by Gustamize

It’s been about 4 and a half months that I’ve had the producer position for the San Jose 48 Hour Film Project and I must say it’s been a rollercoaster ride. In the 4 months I’ve had to recruit teams, find a theater for the screenings, host mixers, find a kick off and drop off location and I’m currently working on securing the locations for the “Best of/Award show”. 

One of the things I’ve had to learn is patience. I’m a pretty patient person, but I have to learn that some of these places I’m dealing with have a set pace they normally work at. 

As a producer there’s protocol I have to follow. Working within it can be challenging, but it’s not difficult to follow. I understand the reason why there’s protocols like this in place. 

I’ve had some great people supporting me and encouraging me along this journey. The 2015 season will come to a close soon, but it’s been great. I’ve tried some new things, I see where I can imporve on, but the most important thing is that I am the producer from here on out. I can definitely start planning things before the 2016 season. This ride isn’t over yet, but let’s have fun at the “Best of” coming very soon! 

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Changing of the guard.

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Gustamize

I’m writing this as I’m on the BART train heading home. After a two year absence as an active competitor.

Tonight marked the first time I am not leading a team. I joined a team. I’ve known Sinohui Hinojosa for several years now. I’ve also competed against him as well. We have similar ideas and goals as filmmakers and he’s always willing to help up and coming filmmakers as well. We both believe in the pay it forward belief when it comes to filmmaking. I admire him, and his work.

Tonight was a bittersweet night. Returning to active competition in a film contest that helped start off my film career. New producers are at the helm. I haven’t had the chance to actually know them but I wish them all the luck. It marks the end of the Vincent Lowe era in San Francisco as well as in San Jose. I’ve also gotten to know Vincent over the years and outside of the whole filmmaking realm. He will be missed.

This is the first time I will get a decent amount of sleep before a shoot. Wish me and my new team luck.

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Next Film Project

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Gustamize

I know it’s been sometime since I last posted here on this site. What better time than today to do so? As you may or may not know by now. I just talk off the top of my head with whatever comes to mind when I post. I do think about topics, and ideas through out the days, weeks, and months. I never sit down at home and plan to write a very elaborate, well thought out piece for this site. It is what it is and what it is…. my own personal blog 🙂

Bottom line, I am a filmmaker, husband, son, father, full time employee in the workforce. I’m not out to change the world, I’m here to entertain you in some way 🙂 I hope you guys find it enjoyable. When I work on films I work hard, and take my duties seriously but I never take myself seriously if that makes sense. If I have an audience I hope that’s what you like about me, and my films. 🙂

My wife and I welcomed our 2nd child, so extra time has been very scarce. The time I have found I’ve put into working on my next script. I plan to shoot it on two separate weekends. One in Sept, and one in Oct. If I can be honest I’m a little bit nervous, since I haven’t directed anything since August 2011. I really would like to work with a mixture of my normal people (cast and crew) along with people I haven’t had an opportunity to work with. I want to make a film and just have fun with it. I don’t want to worry about “Did we get the required element” or “Does this fit the genre” It just seems like I’ve done more of those type of films, that my own. I want to create something to the best of our ability. We are a team, and in a team every part is important. Even if it’s just the clapboard. (Editors for sure)

I don’t have money, but I do provide a fun, easy going, but professional environment. I feed you throughout the day, when the editing is done, I always give you a copy of the film. I’m starting with a blank page. If you would like to crew, or act let me know privately. It’s time for some movie magic 🙂

-G

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….random thoughts from this filmmaker

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Gustamize
Well, last night I have been thinking about the web series I wanted to do. It’s not secret that
it’s been one that I have been wanting to do for the past 4 years! Being a filmmaker with a full time job, a wife, kid and another one on the way. I do tend to lose track of my personal projects. I’ve been busy with film competition, challenges, Film festivals. However, I feel I am lacking on those personal projects. Don’t get me wrong I love all those things I do, but I keep thinking I need to treat my projects like the film challenges and set dates, get confirmation from cast and crew. Sure, it sounds easy enough. One thing I have noticed, not just with myself, but with others is that when you KNOW it’s not due on Sunday night or Monday night you have that in the back of your mind “Oh, I’ll put it off another week” and a week becomes two, and two weeks become a month etc. Or you have the folks that say “Oh, I’ll just ask if they can postpone it because I want to go away for the weekend” etc. I normally don’t like to be the one that sits there and talks, and talks about that “Project” that I’m working on, that never gets accomplished. :)However, I feel that all the time that has passed is not for granted. I have learned and grown as a filmmaker since my very 1st film. I have met some great fellow filmmakers, and some that I consider friends, that make films, and not just a fellow filmmaker. I admire all the hard work that indie filmmakers do, and the work of the actors (the committed ones) do.

I’m still fine tuning my skills, since I’m a jack of all trades just like every other filmmaker out there. I’m open on working with cool, easy going, and dependable folks. Which brings me to the “Series” I’ve been talking about for the LONGEST time 😀  I looked at the facebook page I created over a year ago, and had to delete some information on there since the two original stars flaked on me, and both stood me up on the day of the shoot. The worse part about that is they were friends of mine. Moral to that is, friends who like to act will screw you unlike the actors you meet and become friends with. Sounds weird, but that’s how I have noticed the laws of indie film works. I uploaded a title page that had the date on it and it didn’t have anybody attached to the project. It’s just a simple page since I’m not a graphic designer. I’m moving forward, fresh start, new beginning. I feel good about it. I feel good of all that I have accomplished. I still have A LOT to learn. Once I get the ball rolling, I hope to provide a positive, fun, set for my future cast and crew. I like making films, even with all the stumbling blocks, and frustrations. I always find the end product worth it. Sometimes, I wish it could be an easy project one day 😛

-G

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Pacific Vice……Dead?!?!

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Gustamize

One question I keep getting is “Is Pacific Vice dead?” The answer to that is, no. I just haven’t gotten it to the point where I can move forward. I’m currently working on a rewrite and I’m doing some changes. If I’m going to reboot this, I might as well do it right. What worked with the 1st one is the fact it was fun to make. It was my first completed short.

Fast forward to a couple of years, and the lack of commitment from the two main leads. I’m currently in the process of moving on. There is a very talented actor, I have in mind for the lead. He’s agreed to do one of the featured supportive characters, but I think he’s the guy that would be great for the lead.

Putting a team together is tough because there is so much commitment from these actors. It should fall together soon. It would be nice to be able to collaborate with another dedicated person aside from our core group. To bring in some fresh ideas, or a different perspective.

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48 Hour Film Project: San Jose 2011

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Gustamize

On Friday August 12….

Outlaw Media Productions will be participating in it’s 10th 48 Hour Film Project. Our 5th straight in San Jose since it’s inception back in 2007. This will be our last 48 Hour film project for the 2011 season. We at Outlaw Media are looking forward the Screenings. on August 18, 2011 at the Camera 12 Cinemas in San Jose.

Come on out and support local filmmakers. It’s nice evening of short films, all written, shot, and edited in only 48 hours with 3 required elements, and the luck of the draw genre. Check out some real talented Actors & Actresses. for more information check out the link below. Thank you.

http://www.48hourfilm.com/sanjose

See you there!

-Gus

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