How did you came up with the idea to write the screenplay: "Money or Lead" (Plata o Plomo)?
The idea stems from the need to write a true story, with realistic characters. An organic story in its fullest sense, but at the same time achieving high quality production standards, despite having low budget. Challenges that independent filmmakers, like us, have to confront.
How long did it take you to write the screenplay?
It took me about nine months to write the story, create the script and really focus on the structure. When it came to developing characters, I based a lot on the smallest details, providing more juice on the set at the time of directing.
Whom and what must the main character confront in your film?
The main character "Orlando", also known as "Tato", has several challenges and obstacles. Orlando is faced with ambition, betrayal and his mother´s love, and in turn confronts the "Indian", a very foxy and ambitious character, always seeking to be advantageous, capable of anything for money.
What kind of research you did to achieve the main character´s construction?
The main character comes from many references, culture and stereotypes. When I lived in Medellin, I met many characters during my high school. And in the U.S.A. I got to see and analyze many Colombians who where just coming into the country without knowing the language, confronting challenges of daily life exposures. Besides: news, newspaper clippings and stories that frequented among the people.
Where was your movie filmed and why you chose these locations?
Filming took place in Miami and Medellin. I chose these places because I know them very well and had access to key people and locations for film production. It also enriched the story´s point of view, giving Colombians a close-up of their compatriots living in the United States, and for people from other countries living in the USA, sharing a better understanding of the Colombians´ situation in a foreign country like USA.
How long did in take to do the movie shooting and what were the obstacles you had to overcome as Director?
Full production was four years beyond the nine months it took to write the story. The hardest part was coordinating the schedules of production, because, apart from working long hours shooting "Money or Lead" (Plata o Plomo), we had all our daily jobs. It was really a challenge to work with the actors when they were tired after working all day or all night and then follow with another ten to fourteen hours of shooting.
How did you manage to finance your film?
I really couldn´t obtain investors for the film, it´s very difficult to make them believe in you when you don´t have a filming “repertoire”, or the support of someone already established in the industry. I presented the project to various agencies in Colombia and answered me saying that they wouldn´t produce anything that had to do with drugs themes, ironically, months after they produce: "El Cartel de los Sapos", "El Capo" and other television series about drug dealers. Meanwhile, I was shooting my story with everything I had!
In what film festivals has your movie participated and how has it been received by international critics and audience?
We were in the official selection of Bogota Film Festival in Colombia and had lots of support and press. The audience was very happy with the story, the main comment was that they left the room with a feeling that it is a great movie for youth in general. International criticism, I give an example, it will be recommended in Mexico for the 2011 festivals.
How did you choose the soundtrack for your movie and why the songs selected?
The soundtrack is made up of new talent and fresh, with good rhythms and influences without leaving behind music that has roots and folklore. But mostly I was inspired by Colombian talent put urban music with hip hop and some rock, sauce and string music that speaks and stands for many things today. Among them are: “Locos por Juana”, “Juan Habitual”, “Damian Dragon”, “Ramón Ariztizabal”, “Gato Blanco”, “Juan David Restrepo”, among others.
At casting call: What traits and characteristics should actors and actresses have, so they could be chosen as part of the cast?
The funny thing is that the casting was manifested as I wrote the script, looking for people who I knew they had some spark, were motivated, articulated, expressive, creative, willing to sacrifice, have sufficient responsibility and discipline to confront the challenge. Most of the cast is natural talent, had never acted before.
What is the central message of your film?
Take a short break before making a decision!
What do you recommend to young filmmakers who want to make films?
Do not give up! That the road is long but not impossible. I also recommend daily studying, research, and writing. Do not let time pass, and have patience with yourself and with others. Filmmaking is a team effort. And the team is communication, appreciation and respect for others!
Go forward!
John Human.
The idea stems from the need to write a true story, with realistic characters. An organic story in its fullest sense, but at the same time achieving high quality production standards, despite having low budget. Challenges that independent filmmakers, like us, have to confront.
How long did it take you to write the screenplay?
It took me about nine months to write the story, create the script and really focus on the structure. When it came to developing characters, I based a lot on the smallest details, providing more juice on the set at the time of directing.
Whom and what must the main character confront in your film?
The main character "Orlando", also known as "Tato", has several challenges and obstacles. Orlando is faced with ambition, betrayal and his mother´s love, and in turn confronts the "Indian", a very foxy and ambitious character, always seeking to be advantageous, capable of anything for money.
What kind of research you did to achieve the main character´s construction?
The main character comes from many references, culture and stereotypes. When I lived in Medellin, I met many characters during my high school. And in the U.S.A. I got to see and analyze many Colombians who where just coming into the country without knowing the language, confronting challenges of daily life exposures. Besides: news, newspaper clippings and stories that frequented among the people.
Where was your movie filmed and why you chose these locations?
Filming took place in Miami and Medellin. I chose these places because I know them very well and had access to key people and locations for film production. It also enriched the story´s point of view, giving Colombians a close-up of their compatriots living in the United States, and for people from other countries living in the USA, sharing a better understanding of the Colombians´ situation in a foreign country like USA.
How long did in take to do the movie shooting and what were the obstacles you had to overcome as Director?
Full production was four years beyond the nine months it took to write the story. The hardest part was coordinating the schedules of production, because, apart from working long hours shooting "Money or Lead" (Plata o Plomo), we had all our daily jobs. It was really a challenge to work with the actors when they were tired after working all day or all night and then follow with another ten to fourteen hours of shooting.
How did you manage to finance your film?
I really couldn´t obtain investors for the film, it´s very difficult to make them believe in you when you don´t have a filming “repertoire”, or the support of someone already established in the industry. I presented the project to various agencies in Colombia and answered me saying that they wouldn´t produce anything that had to do with drugs themes, ironically, months after they produce: "El Cartel de los Sapos", "El Capo" and other television series about drug dealers. Meanwhile, I was shooting my story with everything I had!
In what film festivals has your movie participated and how has it been received by international critics and audience?
We were in the official selection of Bogota Film Festival in Colombia and had lots of support and press. The audience was very happy with the story, the main comment was that they left the room with a feeling that it is a great movie for youth in general. International criticism, I give an example, it will be recommended in Mexico for the 2011 festivals.
How did you choose the soundtrack for your movie and why the songs selected?
The soundtrack is made up of new talent and fresh, with good rhythms and influences without leaving behind music that has roots and folklore. But mostly I was inspired by Colombian talent put urban music with hip hop and some rock, sauce and string music that speaks and stands for many things today. Among them are: “Locos por Juana”, “Juan Habitual”, “Damian Dragon”, “Ramón Ariztizabal”, “Gato Blanco”, “Juan David Restrepo”, among others.
At casting call: What traits and characteristics should actors and actresses have, so they could be chosen as part of the cast?
The funny thing is that the casting was manifested as I wrote the script, looking for people who I knew they had some spark, were motivated, articulated, expressive, creative, willing to sacrifice, have sufficient responsibility and discipline to confront the challenge. Most of the cast is natural talent, had never acted before.
What is the central message of your film?
Take a short break before making a decision!
What do you recommend to young filmmakers who want to make films?
Do not give up! That the road is long but not impossible. I also recommend daily studying, research, and writing. Do not let time pass, and have patience with yourself and with others. Filmmaking is a team effort. And the team is communication, appreciation and respect for others!
Go forward!
John Human.
