Behind the Scenes
Transcription
Behind the Scenes
Festivals and Awards Directors Guild of America - Jury Award Best Woman Director Clermont Ferrand International Film Festival - Official Selection Dallas International Film Festival - Special Jury Award Student Short American Film Institute Thesis Showcase - Official Selection Ivy Film Festival - Official Selection Sehsüchte International Film Festival - Official Selection USA International Film Festival - National Finalist Seattle International Film Festival - Official Selection Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Director’s Statement I was researching another story that came out of Mexico when I stumbled upon a group of teenagers who dress up as angels to protest crime in some of the most dangerous parts of Ciudad Juarez. I was taken by the look of them. Long white robes, faces and hands painted entirely silver. They wore life-sized wings on their back. They carried with them signs, protest signs that addressed the cartel directly. “ASSASSINS REPENT, CHRIST LOVES YOU” one read. They were bold. In 2010, Juarez saw up to 40 murders a day. A staggering statistic. How in the world, I thought, would I ever have the strength to believe in God after 40 murders a day? Women disappearing out of thin air. A corrupt police force, a corrupt government...the situation was overwhelming. What struck me most about these teens is that a large number of them came from the socio-economic phenomenon referred to as “Ni-Ni”. Ni-Ni, slang for “ni estudia, ni trabaja”, refers to youth between the ages of 13 and 24 who neither work nor study. Ni-Ni are not only a social problem, they are a factor driving organized crime. As the main prey of drug trafficking organizations, Los Ninis make up the majority of the victims in drug related violence and provide an almost endless supply of foot soldiers for the cartel. The largest population of ni-ni also happened to reside in Ciudad Juarez. So these messenger angels, in my mind, were quite impressive. They defied expectation, broke stereotypes, and in the end, provided the impetus for this film. What I hoped to examine was the “fork in the road”--I had interviewed and read about the children that made up the angel protesters and I interviewed and read about the children that ended up dealing drugs for a living. What made the youth in each of these categories different? A stroke of luck? A mother’s love? An inexplicable faith? I read about a Juarenese boy named David. His mother disappeared at 8, likely murdered, his father was arrested for drug trafficking at 10, his younger brother was sent away to live with relatives shortly thereafter. By the time he was 15, David was angry, estranged, living on the street and dealing drugs for a living. His life read like a work of fiction, almost too hard to comprehend, but I could not judge him nor blame him for his actions. I wondered again about faith. What would it take to make this boy believe again? Believe in something, believe in anything? With Ni-Ni, I do not aim to preach, I haven’t got the answers. I do know that tens of thousands of people have been lost to drug related violence in Mexico in the last seven years, so to the very least, I hope to ask the questions. Melissa Hickey Director, Ni-Ni Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Filmmakers written and directed by produced by cinematography by production design by Cast Melissa Hickey Daniel Brian GOMEZ Carlos Garza Laura Chelsea RENDON Ben Hardwicke Cacho Eddie MARTINEZ Nicolas Kelley Manu Jonathan CABALLERO edited by Daniel R. Myers Guzman Alejandro PATINO music by Matt Hutchinson Carmela VIVIS casting by Carla Hool Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Story Logline A lonely street thug yearns for a better life after he bumps into a girl from his past and remembers the boy he used to be. Short Synopsis In a Mexican border town, 17 year old Daniel, a small time dealer, yearns for a better life after he bumps into a girl from his past and remembers the boy he used to be. With some regret, he tries to change his ways, but the grip of the cartel is already upon him and will not easily let him go. Long Synopsis Daniel a teenaged street thug walks forcefully out of a convenience store, throws the door open and accidentally breaks the nose of the girl standing behind it. This is Laura, a 17 year old “messenger angel” protesting the drug related violence in Mexico’s Ciudad Juarez. Daniel knew her once as a child, before falling into a life of petty crime. The chance encounter sends Daniel racing into his past as he tries to remember the boy he used to be. He seeks out Laura to apologize and surprisingly, she invites him to join her the following morning in protest. Daniel begins to believe he might actually change, but the grip of the cartel is already upon him. A confrontation with Cacho, a cartel footman, ensues, forcing Daniel to choose between one life and another. ni ni slang Short for "ni estudia, ni trabaja". Youth between the ages of 13 and 24 who neither work nor study, the largest population currently residing in Mexico's Ciudad Juarez. Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Cast Brian Gomez (Daniel) Born and raised in the neighborhood of Boyle Heights in Los Angeles, California, Brian (Daniel) only recently embarked on an acting career. Credits include the upcoming feature KILL KAPONE, a short flm CONTRAPELO and the music video for Lana del Rey's TROPICANA. We are proud to say that NI-NI marks his debut as a lead actor in film. Chelsea Rendon (Laura) Chelsea is no stranger to filmmaking, having acted since the early age of six. She landed her first leading role by age seven. Chelsea has worked on numerous feature films including the Oscar nominated A BETTER LIFE, directed by Chris Weitz, and a variety of television shows. In this last year she has appeared on THE MENTALIST, RIZOLLI & ISLES, and THE BRIDGE. Other television credits include ER, THE SHIELD, and JUDGING AMY. Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Eddie Martinez (Cacho) Eddie started his acting career in off-Broadway theater and went on to star in LAW AND ORDER, LAW AND ORDER CSI, and the feature film ENTRE NOS. He made his move to Los Angeles where he landed roles on the CBS show THE UNIT, Showtime’s WEEDS, and TNT's DARK BLUE. Among his film credits include the Gold Medal Winner at the Student Academy Awards A DAY'S WORK. He played the role of Rafael in the feature film SUGAR and can also be seen in the feature films OPEN HOUSE and A BETTER LIFE, directed by Chris Weitz and starring Academy Award nominee Demian Bichir. Other films include LOVE ORCHARD and SXSW Audience Award winner EDEN, starring Beau Bridges and directed by Megan Griffiths. Jonathan Caballero (Manu) Jonathan was born in the town of Tecate Baja California, Mexico. Since a young age, he was very active in sports. After graduating high school he had to leave behind his first passion for his second, the performing arts. He moved to Mexico City to study at Casa Azul Performing Arts Center. Since completing his study, he was worked on a number of television series, commercials and live shows. Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Alejandro Patiño (Guzman) Alejandro grew up in Compton and has been a working actor for the last 25 years, having garnered over 100 theater, film, and television credits. With films such as FAST & FURIOUS, IRON MAN 2, THE SOLOIST, THE HEARTBREAK KID, OUR FAMILY WEDDING, THE RUNAWAYS & BOWFINGER, he has had the privilege to work with some of Hollywood’s best. TV credits include DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, WEEDS, and currently the FX drama series THE BRIDGE, starring Demian Bichir and Diane Kruger. He also has the privilege to work with an all-Latino cast on HULU's highest-rated series EAST LOS HIGH. Other T.V. Credits include IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, RAISING HOPE, GO ON, and THE SHIELD. Vivis (Carmela) Born and educated in Mexico City, Vivis emigrated to Los Angeles and quickly found a home in musical comedy before embarking on a remarkable film and television career, with credits including CHAVEZ, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2, PATCH ADAMS, RENT, DANGEROUS MINDS, and MI VIDA LOCA. Her stage credits include BLOOD WEDDING, ¡CANTINFLAS!, GIBRALTAR, THE LADY FROM HAVANA, and ZOOT SUIT, which she has performed at her favorite venues The Alley, The Alliance, A.C.T. Theatreworks, San Jose Stage, El Teatro Campesino, and The San Diego Repertory Theatre. She has also starred in musicals such as SOUTH PACIFIC, EVITA, MY FAIR LADY, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, A CHORUS LINE, and STOP THE WORLD. Her television credits include PAST LIFE, MEDIUM, GREEK, and WORKAHOLICS. Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Filmmakers Carlos Garza, Producer Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, Carlos graduated with honors from the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin, where he also worked as International Competition Director of the Cinematexas Film Festival. In Mexico City, he was a Founding Member and Programmer of the Morelia International Film Festival from 2003 to 2011. In the intervening years he has also been World Cinema Competition Coordinator at the Sundance Film Festival and worked extensively in journalism and publicity for independent films with David Magdael and Associates in Los Angeles. He is currently completing his master's degree in Producing at the American Film Institute Conservatory. Melissa Hickey, Writer/Director Born in Texas, Melissa is a graduate of Columbia University with a background in Anthropology; she pursued additional study in Cairo for Egyptology and then Oxford for Shakespeare and Jacobean Drama. After a professional acting career that included spots on various LAW AND ORDERS(s)", Showtime’s GOLDCOAST, and Mira Nair’s THE PEREZ FAMILY, Melissa turned her attention to film editing, and then eventually, directing. Her first short, SHE’S GONE, was the recipient of the Silver Palm Award/Mexico International Film Festival; she used the film to gain entrance into the American Film Institute's Conservatory program. She is currently completing her second year of her master’s degree and has been awarded both the Petrie Scholarship and WIF Scholarship for directing. Most recently, Melissa was granted the DGA’s Jury Award for her work in Ni-Ni. To see Melissa's reel, click here. Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Ben Hardwicke, Cinematographer Also from Texas, Ben attended the University of Texas at Austin for his undergraduate degree in film. While there, he rode a bicycle from Texas to Alaska, developed an interest in documentary filmmaking and worked on numerous features and commercials during his summers. After graduating, he hit the road for a couple years, working on commercials in New Zealand, and shooting several projects in SE Asia. Upon returning to the States, Ben shot for Discovery, History and National Geographic. He recently graduated from AFI's Cinematography program and, while there, was named the SOC's College Camera Operator of the Year. His first feature-length documentary, Chasing Beauty, hit #1 on iTunes in 2013 and his first narrative feature is in the works for 2014. For Ben's reel, click here. Nicolas Kelley, Production Designer Born in Panama City and raised in Miami, FL, Nicolas earned a BA with honors in Film and Visual Art from Fordham University in New York City. After stints in Mexico City and Sydney, Australia, he settled in Los Angeles and has enjoyed a blossoming career as a union Art Director and Production Designer. Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Daniel Myers, Editor Daniel is a film and video editor with an education in Philosophy, with a specific focus on Aesthetics, from the University of Washington. He was born and raised in Seattle WA. With prior experience in corporate video, documentary production and postproduction, and narrative editing his long term goal is to become a purely narrative film editor. Besides editing, Daniel is a motion graphics designer and a film director; having directed one narrative feature and several short films before coming to Los Angeles to study at the American FIlm Institute Conservatory in 2011. In 2012 he was the recipient of the Mookie Jam foundation Grant. For Dan's reel, click here. Carla Hool, Casting Director Carla Hool began her career in Mexico City in 2004 as the Local Casting Director for the Tony Scott film MAN OF FIRE. Carla quickly moved to casting features for acclaimed directors Alfonso Arau, ZAPATA-EL SUENO DEL HEROE and Luis Mandoki INNOCENT VOICES. It wasn’t long after that Mel Gibson turned to Ms. Hool to lead the search for the unknown actors that populated his film APOCALYPTO. While she continued to cast many top features in Mexico, Carla began her transition to living and working in the US . Other notable projects include Carey Fukunaga’s SIN NOMBRE, Carl Franklin’s BLESS ME ULTIMA and Chris Weitz’s Academy Award nominated production A BETTER LIFE. Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com About AFI The American Film Institute Notable Alumni At the world renowned AFI Conservatory, a dedicated group of working professionals from the film and television industries serve as mentors in a hands on production based environment nurturing the talents of tomorrow's storytellers. Terrence Malick (Dir.) Tree of Life, Days of Heaven Established in 1969, the two year Master of Arts program provides training in six filmmaking disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design, and Screenwriting. Admission to AFI is highly competitive with a maximum of 140 graduates per year. Steve Golin (Prod.) Eternal Sunshine, Babel The second-year program has won AFI its reputation as one of the world's leading film schools. In 2011, the Hollywood Reporter ranked AFI the #1 film school in the world. AFI thesis films have garnered numerous prestigious awards, including several Oscar nominations, the Oscar for best narrative short, the Student Oscar, the Director's Guild of America Awards, several American Society of Cinematography Awards, and top honors from the American Cinema Editors.Traditionally, AFI thesis films are instrumental in launching a fellow's career in film. Wally Pfister (Cin.) Inception, Memento David Lynch (Dir.) Mulholland Drive, Blue Velvet Darren Aronofsky (Dir.) Black Swan, The Wrestler Ed Zwick (Prod.) Blood Diamond, Love and Other Drugs Janusz Kaminski (Cin.) Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan Matthew Libatique (Cin.) Iron Man, Black Swan Paul Schrader (Scr.) Taxi Driver, Raging Bull Steven Rosenblum (Edt.) Braveheart, Blood Diamond Joe Garrity (Des.) Waiting for Guffman, My Girl Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Film Stills Luis Hernandez, Chelsea Rendon and Gabriela Acevedo as Messenger Angels. Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Brian Gomez as Daniel. Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Chelsea Rendon as Laura. Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Eddie Martinez as Cacho, The Dealer. Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Vivis as Carmela, The Grandmother. Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Behind the Scenes: Writer/Director Melissa Hickey coaching actress Chelsea Rendon. Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Behind the Scenes: Producer Carlos Garza overseeing the image. Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Behind the Scenes: Make-up Artist Jennifer Cabezas and 2nd AD Tom Saunders relaxing between takes. Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com Behind the Scenes: Cinematographer Ben Hardwicke overseeing the shot--with camera operator Miklos Buk and actor Brian Gomez. Ni-Ni c/o American Film Institute, 2021 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Contact: +1 (310) 871-1046 carlos.rabalam@gmail.com www.ninithefilm.com written and directed by produced by cinematography by production design by Melissa Hickey Carlos Garza Ben Hardwicke Nicolas Kelley edited by Daniel R. Myers music by Matt Hutchinson casting by Carla Hool cast Daniel Brian Gomez Laura Chelsea Rendon Cacho Manu Eddie Martinez Jonathan Caballero Guzman Alejandro Patiño Carmela Vivis Woman in Store Police Officer Stunt Coordinator Erika Flores Javier Lezama Amon Platis Ivonne Precious Melgoza Angels Anthony Segoviano Luis Hernandez Gabriela Acevedo 2nd Police Officer Michael J Gonzales Forensics Detective Carlos Perales Boys in Schoolyard Malcolm Bacani Carlos Hernandez Onlookers Daniel Cardenas Yamileth Childers Diana Gonzalez Angel Hurtado Diana Hurtado Gilberto Hurtado Miguel Hurtado Peter Ibarra Luis Marquez Eduardo Melgoza Rosa Melgoza Blanca Nuñez Fausto Orellana Mercedes Orellana Ozzie Palacios crew Unit Production Manager First Assistant Director Second Assistant Directors Cindy Shin-iun Li Lucille Ouyang Erin Milani Tom Saunders Derek Taylor Music Consultant Line Producer Camera Operator First Assistant Camera Second Assistant Camera Anna San Juan Andrew Schwartz Miklos Buk SebastiEn Thibeau Jessyca Marilyn Harrison Camera Intern Vito Huizar On-set Data Manager Ziyun Chen Still Photographers Charles Murphy Alex Lombardi Script Supervisors Jeffrey Post Mary Shellog Barbara Friedman Gaffer Key Grip Best Boy Grips Eddie Salerno JR. Michael i. Solidum Vadim Aynbinder Terrence Burke Eduardo Zamora Best Boy Electrics Joshua Atkin Johanna Coelho Dolly Grip Grip/Electrics Mike Faust Donovan Clark Wilsa Derro Kristin Fieldhouse Dana Michelle Hill Samuel Phillip Klein Samuel Law Tanner Morrison Connor O'Brien Alonzo Parker John Richard Production Sound Mixer Boom Operators Fred Schultz Art Director Andy Rovins Set Decorator Aaron Brown Assistant Art Directors Hansel Gonzalez Vida Lott Jessica Shorten Danielle Laubach Emily Ng Little Allison Good Graphic Artist Cameron Tevis Jimmy Mustol Property Master Costume Designer Assistant Costume Designer Key Make-up/Hair Assistant Make-up/Hair Malcolm Bacani Holly Mitchell Lead Set Dresser Set Dressers Jessie Chun Ryan Cochran Bryttnii Jackson Jennifer Cabezas Katerina Bartlett Jennifer Quinteros Marianne Fulton Ghazal Sheei Sound Editor and Mixer Ben Zarai Re-recording Mixer Trip Abroms Visual Effects Eric McAvoy Daniel R. Myers Colorist Graphic Designer Loren White Anisha Acharya Transportation Coordinator Drivers Marlo Hellerstein Production Assistants Daniel Belkin Mike Depue Jack Boghossian Chris Di Marco Marcos Davalos Nicholas Harris David Donaldson DJ Johnson Erika Ewing Robert Kolenberg Aaron Gomez Chad Lavoy Justin Gourley Michael Lutz Valerie Hernandez Alan Strother Ryoji Kure Adam Slapin Assistant to Producer Key Set PA Rebecca Leigh Adams Sean Steffen Evan Pugh Kevin Strickland David Valencia Casting Assistant Background Coordinators Semone Leifer Alejandro Torroja Shoshana Kuttner Studio Teacher Rainer Weinbrenner Newsha Tavakoli Catering Craft Service Impeccable taste Diane Timmons Robert Weiermair Set Medic Greg Stevens additional crew/reshoots Unit Production Manager Alex Moran First Assistant Director Kelly Stevens 2nd Second Assistant Directors Aaron Martinez Alejandro Torroja B-Camera Operator B-Camera First Assistant Camera Second Assistant Camera Script Supervisor Gaffer Kristin Fieldhouse Erick Aguilar Karen Du Taylor Chen Jih-E Peng Key Grip Boyd Hobbs Best Boy Electric Justin Kane Assistant Costume Designer Kylie Robinson Tailor Kylie Robinson Studio Teacher Art Director Art PA Mark R. Alkoffer Tara Dales Cindy Shin-iun Li “From Light to Sky” Performed by Provided by Accelra Gavin Singleton the filmmakers wish to thank Executive Producers Associate Producers Benefactors Patrons Maria Ines Garza Jason Hagensick Friends Mona Meighan Catherine Hardwicke Sang Ji Patrick Murray Nicolette Hardwicke Bernard Yang Kim Erika Myers Mary Ellen Hickey Vitaly Koshman Liska Ostojic Cheryl & Timothy Myers Scott Lunceford Grace Odom John Hardwicke Harry & Susan Myers Nik Perleros Jamie Harris Richard S. Pressman Justin Partridge James L. Hickey Allene Quincy Diana Peña Luigi Comandatore Clay Rokohl Aaron Petty Jamee B. Hardwicke Jeff Rancilio Jim Pieper Franzrudolf Lehnert John Rodriguez Olivia Reyher Judine A. Taylor Johnny Santiago Daniel Posada Stephanie Beechem Gianluigi Tacchi Gabriela Bedolla Leo Flores Evan Tardy James Bellavance Tim Hall Jennifer Terrell Thomas Beaudoin Jordan Gunkel Cyndi Trissel Elise Cullen Kyle Henry The Wrecking Crew Cristelle Rodriguez Denby Ryan Kelley Andreea Florescu Shoshana Kuttner Azenett A. Garza Shaun Lopez Jaime Gonzalez de la Mora Bethany Malmgren Albert Pereira-Lazaro Sponsors Sponsors Friends additional thanks Molo Alcocer Santiago Limon Joseph Beyer Aaron Martinez Suzanne Carpenter The Melgoza Family Jayson Crothers Myrna Menca Carlos and Yolanda Cruz Eloy Méndez Deniese Davis Ashley Erica Monti Dominique Dawson Mookie Jam Foundation Alejandro and Rosario Espinola Alex Moran Rodrigo Espinosa Maravan Franzis Müller Kristin Fieldhouse Eric Nichols Maria Ines Garza Liska Ostijic Enrique Garza Treviño Julie Anne Robart Mierka Girten Carolyn Roueche Jaime González De La Mora Regina Salvidar Oliver Harwood Graciela Salvidar Mary Ellen Hickey Adolfo Salvidar Rob Hope Bar Seven Maazin Kamal Cindy Shin-Iun Li Aashrita Kamath Barb Steph A.W.L Leslie Swartz Erica Leung Alejandro Torroja