Boasting some important Spanish actors and special effects made at Robert Rodriguez and Elizabeth Avellan's Troublemaker Studios, the film "Santos" is opening in Santiago these days, proving that Chilean director Nicolas Lopez may be Hollywood material... though the studio system may be taking it's soul-searching process in other directions.
Destacando la participación de importantes actores españoles y los efectos especiales desarrollados en los Estudios Troublemaker de Robert Rodriguez y Elizabeth Avellan, la película "Santos" se estrena en estos días, demostrando que el director Nicolas Lopez podría ser sujeto de interés para Hollywood... aunque es posible que el sistema tradicional este llevando su proceso de reinvención en otras direcciones.
12 de diciembre de 2008
11 de noviembre de 2008
Agustin's Newspaper
El Diario de Agustín
During the dictatorship of Pinochet, the most relevant Chilean newspaper, El Mercurio, placed itself at the service of the regime, many times distorting the truth in order to clean the image of the military. A powerful documentary now investigates some of the staged reports that were printed on it's pages: this is "Agustin's Newspaper."
29 de octubre de 2008
Simply "Alice in the land"
Simplemente "Alicia en el país"
Opening in Chile, October 30; in the rest of the world, hopefully soon. A winner at Locarno Film Festival.
Estreno en Chile, 30 de Octubre; en el resto del mundo, ojalá muy pronto. Ganadora en el festival de cine de Locarno.
Estreno en Chile, 30 de Octubre; en el resto del mundo, ojalá muy pronto. Ganadora en el festival de cine de Locarno.
11 de septiembre de 2008
Atacama Deseart as a film set
El desierto de Atacama como un set de película
North of Chile shines in the latest James Bond movie:
El norte de Chile se luce en la última entrega de James Bond:
El norte de Chile se luce en la última entrega de James Bond:
26 de junio de 2008
Today I have received notice that I have been accepted for the UCLA Professional Program in Screenwriting and I am really excited. The best part is to feel like I am back in a professional environment... To be honest I have felt quite isolated after my changes in status (now a mom) and country (now in Chile).
24 de junio de 2008
The Right to Write
The following is the statement I wrote for the selection process at the UCLA Professional Screenwriting Program. I think it summarizes quite well my situation and interest in the present.
Right to Write: A Personal Statement
By María Loreto Caro-Valdés
Before I had an image in my head, I had a word. My mother tells me that I was nine months old when I started to talk and have never since stopped expressing myself through words. When our family was forced to leave Chile following a military coup in 1973 and my father’s imprisonment, we migrated to the United States and I, at the age of four, understood quickly how language shapes our worlds. As soon as I learned English, a whole new culture opened up before me. Six years later, when we were able to return to our home country, I experienced the same phenomenon: once I was able to grasp my Spanish, I was able to feel a part of society. During my childhood and teenage years I often found myself in situations where I would switch languages back and forth, creating bridges of understanding between two very different mindsets. That is how I always knew I wanted to be a communicator, even before I knew the practical manifestations.
I chose journalism as my first career and it proved very useful to learn the power of writing in making sense of the world… But, very soon I realized that explaining was not enough for me; most of time what I really wanted to do was to rethink or even reinvent reality. That is why I made my way into the Dramatic Arts Area of Television Nacional de Chile where I was in charge of translating the scripts of local telenovelas for the international market, since these are the most popular and wide-spread Lain American products. After a couple of years in TV, I went to work for the Chilean Ministry of Education, specifically involved in the organization of large scale events for youth. Here I was able to produce all kinds of written materials, ranging from storybooks for small children to complex manuals for teachers.
In 1999 I was granted a scholarship by the Fundacion Andes to pursue a Masters Degree in International Communication at the University of Texas at Austin. While I was there, I took several film courses and simply accepted I loved this form of art. (I never stopped feeling great passion for cinema, but I never dared to dream that I could be a part of it) In 2001 I was admitted for the MFA program at the UT Radio-TV-Film Department. Though I was very pleased in the end with the well-rounded preparation I had in film production, I have ever since regretted having more screenwriting experience.
Now that I am back in my home country, it makes more sense than ever to pick this life-long interest of mine and learn properly about writing scripts. On one hand, it is a skill that is quite rare (here most people involved in screenwriting come from other related areas such as theatre or literature, but very few have had specific and professional training). On the other, I am at a stage where writing fits best with my other roles as a woman. Very recently I had a son that was born with complications and his current condition requires me to stay at home as much as possible (also, he has been an inspiration for worthwhile stories on the beauty of the human spirit). I must add that the UCLA Professional Program in Screenwriting is especially attractive because it would allow me to keep a link with an industry and a country that I have very deep feelings for; in a way I feel that we can be making history by building narratives across borders.
Right to Write: A Personal Statement
By María Loreto Caro-Valdés
Before I had an image in my head, I had a word. My mother tells me that I was nine months old when I started to talk and have never since stopped expressing myself through words. When our family was forced to leave Chile following a military coup in 1973 and my father’s imprisonment, we migrated to the United States and I, at the age of four, understood quickly how language shapes our worlds. As soon as I learned English, a whole new culture opened up before me. Six years later, when we were able to return to our home country, I experienced the same phenomenon: once I was able to grasp my Spanish, I was able to feel a part of society. During my childhood and teenage years I often found myself in situations where I would switch languages back and forth, creating bridges of understanding between two very different mindsets. That is how I always knew I wanted to be a communicator, even before I knew the practical manifestations.
I chose journalism as my first career and it proved very useful to learn the power of writing in making sense of the world… But, very soon I realized that explaining was not enough for me; most of time what I really wanted to do was to rethink or even reinvent reality. That is why I made my way into the Dramatic Arts Area of Television Nacional de Chile where I was in charge of translating the scripts of local telenovelas for the international market, since these are the most popular and wide-spread Lain American products. After a couple of years in TV, I went to work for the Chilean Ministry of Education, specifically involved in the organization of large scale events for youth. Here I was able to produce all kinds of written materials, ranging from storybooks for small children to complex manuals for teachers.
In 1999 I was granted a scholarship by the Fundacion Andes to pursue a Masters Degree in International Communication at the University of Texas at Austin. While I was there, I took several film courses and simply accepted I loved this form of art. (I never stopped feeling great passion for cinema, but I never dared to dream that I could be a part of it) In 2001 I was admitted for the MFA program at the UT Radio-TV-Film Department. Though I was very pleased in the end with the well-rounded preparation I had in film production, I have ever since regretted having more screenwriting experience.
Now that I am back in my home country, it makes more sense than ever to pick this life-long interest of mine and learn properly about writing scripts. On one hand, it is a skill that is quite rare (here most people involved in screenwriting come from other related areas such as theatre or literature, but very few have had specific and professional training). On the other, I am at a stage where writing fits best with my other roles as a woman. Very recently I had a son that was born with complications and his current condition requires me to stay at home as much as possible (also, he has been an inspiration for worthwhile stories on the beauty of the human spirit). I must add that the UCLA Professional Program in Screenwriting is especially attractive because it would allow me to keep a link with an industry and a country that I have very deep feelings for; in a way I feel that we can be making history by building narratives across borders.
18 de junio de 2008
Screenwriting: Child-friendly profession
Guionista: Una profesión ideal para madres
Cuando uno se encuentra con palabras o hechos que podrían ser parte de la vida de uno se produce una sensación curiosa: hay por cierto una conexión mágica, pero también puede producir incomodidad. Esto es lo que me sucedioo al leer un articulo sobre 10 guionistas emergentes que vale la pena seguir de cerca según Variety, entre los cuales figuraba una mujer aproximadamente de mi edad que declara que la escritura es probablemente la mejor actividad laboral que puedes tener si quieres ser una madre involucrada en la crianza de los hijos. Por un lado me siento interpretada, ya que yo elegí dedicarme a trabajar como guionista precisamente para pasar la mayor cantidad de tiempo posible con Sebastián. Por otro, siento una envidia profunda, ya que la entrevistada ya supero el obstáculo más grande que existe en esta carrera: tener representación.
23 de mayo de 2008
Looking for Tony Manero
Buscando a Tony Manero
Looking forward to "Tony Manero", a low-budget Chilean film that has received attention at Cannes: Top Ten Films according to The Times
Estoy entusiasmada con ver "Tony Manero", una película Chilena de bajo costo que ha recibido atención en Cannes: Top Ten Films según The Times.
Estoy entusiasmada con ver "Tony Manero", una película Chilena de bajo costo que ha recibido atención en Cannes: Top Ten Films según The Times.
7 de mayo de 2008
James Bond shoots in Chile
James Bond se filma en Chile
Interesting B-roll from the shoot in the north of Chile, plus several interviews and the news story on 24 horas, Televisión Nacional de Chile
Interesantes tomas alternativas de la filmacion realizada en el norte de Chile, mas varias entrevistas y la nota del noticiero 24 horas de Televisión Nacional de Chile
Interesantes tomas alternativas de la filmacion realizada en el norte de Chile, mas varias entrevistas y la nota del noticiero 24 horas de Televisión Nacional de Chile
19 de marzo de 2008
Body of War
Cuerpo de Guerra
I am eager to watch and share Body of War, a documentary by a former UT professor, Ellen Spiro, which was short-listed for an Oscar nomination and is now opening in theatres. I wonder how the process of bringing a film like that to an international audience works? This is the kind of project I would love to help subtitle.
Estoy ansiosa por ver y compartir Body of War (algo así como "Cuerpo de Guerra"), un documental realizado por una profesora que tuve en la Universidad de Texas en Austin, Ellen Spiro, que fue finalista para las nominaciones a los premios Oscar y que ahora se está estrenando en los teatros de EEUU. Me pregunto cómo es el proceso de llevar una película como esta a un público internacional? Este es el tipo de proyecto en el que me encantaría hacer subtitulaje.
Estoy ansiosa por ver y compartir Body of War (algo así como "Cuerpo de Guerra"), un documental realizado por una profesora que tuve en la Universidad de Texas en Austin, Ellen Spiro, que fue finalista para las nominaciones a los premios Oscar y que ahora se está estrenando en los teatros de EEUU. Me pregunto cómo es el proceso de llevar una película como esta a un público internacional? Este es el tipo de proyecto en el que me encantaría hacer subtitulaje.
5 de febrero de 2008
Pre-producing toddler behavior
Pre-producción en el comportamiento infantil
Today an article caught my eye: Coping with the Caveman in the Crib. It talked about techniques to control toddlers with temper tantrums. After reading the comments by dozens of parents, I was surprised to find that nobody mentioned one of the most effective tools: anticipation. In filmmaking pre-production, if you are able to anticipate the conditions and potencial obstacles of the shoot, things will move along more smoothly once you start rolling. It seems to me that a positive dynamic with a toddler works in a similar way: anticipation will lower their levels of anxiety; in my experience, a regular cause for temper tantrums is uncertainty. Here is my response to the column, in case some parent may find it useful:
I have a boy who is almost three who rarely throws tantrums; he is very cooperative in private and public places. Today at the supermarket an elderly lady congratulated me because he was so well-mannered and helpful (he was picking the peaches and putting them into a bag). What’s the secret? One of the first concepts he learned was “I promise…” and he also understood it works both ways. If he wants to do something right away, I propose to do something else first and promise to go back to his wishes after that. If he says he want to eat something now, I suggest pushing the cart first and promising that we will eat something later. At the end of the proposition he asks, “Do you promise?” And I’ll say, “I promise”. The good thing is that “afterwards” and “later” can stretch a long way… He actually does not mind if it takes a while before his needs are met because he knows that IT WILL HAPPEN eventually because I promised. This calms his anxiety; he knows that he can anticipate the fulfillment of his desires at some point. There is one thing you must never do: NEVER PROMISE SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN. I’ve warned everybody that is involved in my child’s care about the seriousness of promises so that this technique can work.
Hoy un artículo me llamó la atención: Lidiando con el cavernícola de la cuna. Exponía técnicas para manejar niños con pataletas o berrinches. Después de leer los comentarios de una docena de padres, me sorprendió que ninguno mencionara una de las herramientas más efectivas: la anticipación. En el proceso de pre-producción de una película, si eres capaz de prever cúles serán los principales problemas y obstáculos, las cosas tienen mayores posibilidades de ir sobre ruedas una vez que se empieza al rodar.
I have a boy who is almost three who rarely throws tantrums; he is very cooperative in private and public places. Today at the supermarket an elderly lady congratulated me because he was so well-mannered and helpful (he was picking the peaches and putting them into a bag). What’s the secret? One of the first concepts he learned was “I promise…” and he also understood it works both ways. If he wants to do something right away, I propose to do something else first and promise to go back to his wishes after that. If he says he want to eat something now, I suggest pushing the cart first and promising that we will eat something later. At the end of the proposition he asks, “Do you promise?” And I’ll say, “I promise”. The good thing is that “afterwards” and “later” can stretch a long way… He actually does not mind if it takes a while before his needs are met because he knows that IT WILL HAPPEN eventually because I promised. This calms his anxiety; he knows that he can anticipate the fulfillment of his desires at some point. There is one thing you must never do: NEVER PROMISE SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN. I’ve warned everybody that is involved in my child’s care about the seriousness of promises so that this technique can work.
Hoy un artículo me llamó la atención: Lidiando con el cavernícola de la cuna. Exponía técnicas para manejar niños con pataletas o berrinches. Después de leer los comentarios de una docena de padres, me sorprendió que ninguno mencionara una de las herramientas más efectivas: la anticipación. En el proceso de pre-producción de una película, si eres capaz de prever cúles serán los principales problemas y obstáculos, las cosas tienen mayores posibilidades de ir sobre ruedas una vez que se empieza al rodar.
4 de febrero de 2008
Look Out for Torres Silva
Ojo con Torres Leiva
When I returned to Chile, I never heard anything about him. He is never among those listed as the "new generation" of Chilean filmmakers that come out every 6 months or so. However, I am convinced that Jose Luis Torres Silva has more than enough talent and a promising future. Today I was surprised to find that Variety shares my admiration in a review of his first feature film El cielo, la tierra y la lluvia, taking notice of the prize he received at the Rotterdam Film Festival.
Nunca oí hablar de él cuando regresé a Chile. Nunca figura en los artículos que salen aproximadamente cada 6 meses proclamando "la nueva generación" de cineastas chilenos. Sin embargo, estoy convencida que Jose Luis Torres Silva tiene talento de sobra y un futuro prometedor. Me encontré hoy con la sorpresa que Variety comparte mi admiración con una crítica a su primer largometraje,El cielo, la tierra y la lluvia, a propósito del premio obtenido en el Festival de Cine de Rotterdam.
Nunca oí hablar de él cuando regresé a Chile. Nunca figura en los artículos que salen aproximadamente cada 6 meses proclamando "la nueva generación" de cineastas chilenos. Sin embargo, estoy convencida que Jose Luis Torres Silva tiene talento de sobra y un futuro prometedor. Me encontré hoy con la sorpresa que Variety comparte mi admiración con una crítica a su primer largometraje,El cielo, la tierra y la lluvia, a propósito del premio obtenido en el Festival de Cine de Rotterdam.
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