RYAN VELASQUEZ | BLOG

OJALA Wrapped!!!

Ryan Velasquez — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:02:42 +0000

So, after months of pre-production and development, and then some tough shooting days, we have wrapped on OJALA...

Here are some photos for you to enjoy:

OJALA: Shooting Day 1

Ryan Velasquez — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:52:53 +0000

We just wrapped our first day of shooting on OJALA! It was an early call time of 5am all the way in Malibu... After a slow-start, we got moving and ended up making our day no problem. Our lovely art department did an AMAZING job in re-creating 'Guatemala' in Los Angeles, and it was easy for the rest of us to make everything look and feel authentic from there on out. You all can take a look at some photos of the first day of shooting here:

See you guys soon for some more updates!

OJALA: Bridges-Larson Production Grant

Ryan Velasquez — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 23:18:34 +0000

My thesis film 'OJALA' has just been awarded the prestigious Bridges-Larson Production Grant by AFI!

This generous award helps bring us that much closer to our production fundraising goal! We are so close! Please help us get the rest of the way there by contributing: www.ojalafilm.com/contribute.

A little more about the grant:

The Bridges/Larson Foundation Award is given in memory of writer-director James Bridges. James Bridges wanted to make films that were entertaining but showed life as he observed it. Bridges was an embodiment of the spirit of global filmmaking because of his commitments to socially responsible filmmaking.

He wrote and directed such distinguished films as THE PAPER CHASE, THE CHINA SYNDROME and URBAN COWBOY. He was twice nominated for an Academy Award for his screenplays THE PAPER CHASE and THE CHINA SYNDROME.

OJALA Website is LIVE!

Ryan Velasquez — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 07:52:26 +0000

Please go to the website for my AFI thesis film and donate to help make it a reality!!

Here: www.ojalafilm.com

GO NOW! ... oh and watch our video promo :)

"OJALA": An AFI Thesis Film

Ryan Velasquez — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 22:46:34 +0000

Hello all, please support my AFI thesis film by "liking" my facebook page for it: http://www.facebook.com/ojalafilm

I <3 you all! The website will be live shortly so please stay tuned for that!

"The Quest": Steadicam

Ryan Velasquez — Mon, 09 May 2011 17:14:35 +0000

I'm keeping this trend of updating the blog with production such (way too late in the AFI year, but it's cool).

Here's a behind the scenes of a steadicam shot we are going to use to introduce the school dance in my next short film "The Quest":

Enjoy...

AFI, An iPhone, and An Update

Ryan Velasquez — Thu, 05 May 2011 20:17:09 +0000

So I just found out I can update my blog from my iPhone. Pretty awesome stuff.

A little update: Just finished directing a film tentatively called "The Quest."

A photo...

Poor Man's Process

Ryan Velasquez — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 03:51:06 +0000

We just did a rear projection/poor man's process test for the next film I'm directing in two weeks. It's basically a way to fake driving shots in a film without having to actually drive a car. All it takes is a projector, some lights, and a trusty set of hands to shake the stationary car. Take a look at the photo below to see the set-up, then click on it to see the footage. Film magic holler.

Thought I'd share:

Film: "The Job"

Ryan Velasquez — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 05:24:56 +0000

So, The Job, a short film I directed back in July, is officially completed and has been submitted to film festivals, including South by Southwest, SF International, Tribeca, and New Directors/New Films. We're waiting to hear back and are excited about our chances.

For those of you who don't know, the film is about Dana, the assistant manager at The Cinema Social movie theater. While she doesn't do well with friends, family, or love, she at least has her job. After the incumbent manager goes on maternity leave, Dana thinks she's a shoo-in for the newly vacant role. When she finds out otherwise, she is left without the one thing she's been able to hold on to and begins a slippery descent...

In the meantime, ya'll can check out a small preview of the film by clicking the image above.

More updates around the bend!

Spike Jonze's "I'm Here"

Ryan Velasquez — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 09:37:09 +0000

Check out his latest short film immediately:

Trailer:

Film:

http://www.imheremovie.com/

For Real.