New York, New York

I am amazed how smoothly I am going through the NY section. After going through two interviews already, I am establishing a nice rhythm and structure. Because of the structure, my edits are happening easy and naturally.  And when I say naturally, I mainly mean that I am not forcing the conversations when I am editing everything together. I already know what I am looking for when I am putting the interviews together.  The way I am shaping the conversation is very simple ... I am just laying everything down on the timeline of Final Cut Pro.   I pretty much listen to all of the conversation from beginning to end without taking notes. There is no trick to it, but I think by listening to everything first before making notes, helps. Its probably a longer process, but it has helped me concentrate more on the interviews. I feel you are going to hear the interview more than once. If that's the case, make sure remember what is being said.

I let the talking influence my thoughts and how I approach my edits. Its obvious that I cannot use every conversation for my movie, but at least I can decide what conversation seems to be stronger than other conversations. To me... deciding what conversation is stronger then the other all depends on the theme of the film and how in-depth the conversation is, in which usually the in-depth conversation will help the theme of the film. Since I have various conversations on different topics, I pay attention how one leads to another and then I eliminate, add, and test. If it flows, then I just go with it. 

At this point, I figured out a structure that best suits my project.  Since NY is my third interview, it has been getting a lot easier to edit. What worked for me in the other two previous interviews is working out for my NY section.  I am aware things are going to change when I piece every interview together and make it a feature length film, but the style and structure of the film will not change.  And that structure has been already established. 

At the rate I am going, I should be done with my NY section in a few weeks or so.  I sure miss New York.  I really like that city.



That's it for now.

Junior Gonzalez
The Filmmaker

On To The Next One

That's right! On to the next one.  I just wrapped up with the SF section. I will now be approaching the NY section.

I'm getting in a groove. I am not thinking about anything when I'm assembling the scenes! Im like Edward Scissor Hands, cutting away!  I am just following the conversation and going with the flow. I know what I have, everyone's conversation is trapped and replayed in my mind all the time! To be honest, since I started this project, that's all I have been thinking about. I can't help it!  I know down the line, I will be dealing with taking out edits or shaping the edits to smooth-out the cuts... but at this point, I'm putting pieces together to see what I have. From there "I take a picture" and go with it.

It feels good to move forward. I feel so so so close to the finish line.

Once I finished the SF section, I immediately looked over the video and I got a weird feeling because I was  revisit that moment of time.  I don't know why I get so tripped-out about it.  When I say tripped out, I mean it in a good way.

I guess that's why I love making films... not only do i like the creation part of it, but to remember in time what happened in that period of time. In my case, its my life being recorded while I am documenting someone else's life. Hopefully, that makes sense, but it makes sense to me. In this particular project, it has been very cool that I can say I was in all these cities to make this.

NY Baby - You next!


That's it for now.

Junior
The Filmmaker

The Process Continues

It was a hot 4th of July and a good weekend. I can't believe we're towards the second half of this year. What a roller coaster ride kind of year! My SF section is coming along. I'm really really really happy with the progress. The process is  going so fast that I might get the SF section done this month. I have been really into it. That is always a good sign... well for me of course.

It just interesting how I am moving from one interview to another. I have realized how each conversation so far has been on point and interesting. So far they are all unique in its own way, but still the conversation are  focusing on the theme of the doc.

On that note, I am doing my best to put together the SF section. Santos has said and pointed out a lot of good points. I just want to be clear to the public that, everything you will here will be coming out of there voices and real thoughts. I wanted to stay away from scripted stuff, I don't feel like that's a real documentary, instead scripted stuff comes out like a "TV reality show." And that is not my doc. I am getting real reactions, real talk, and real thoughts.  all the thoughts and conversation is making it easy for me to edit because there is a nice flow from the beginning to end.

As a director I made sure the conversation leads to right direction and made sure we don't go off subject. They way I work, I already have a sequence edited in my head while I am conducting the conversation. That's how much I was involved and into my project. I took a lot of time to prepare and give myself an idea how I want to approach the project.

Hence, the project is becoming more easier to edit as I am keeping true to my vision. For me it helps a lot. Like I said when I open my editing sessions on my computer, I already know what to before the computer even turns on. That is all because the time I have taken to prepare.

That's all for now.


Junior Gonzalez
The Filmmaker

Editing 2nd Interview

Its a hot day in the Bay today. Summer is finally here and so far things are going good. Last week I started editing my SF section. So far I am pleased. Its been a real long process to get through these interviews... So much is said and so much was shot. That's a good thing, though! There is a lot of good conversation and I am hearing things that I need to shape my doc. So far my SF section is structuring-out the way I want it.  I am definitely feeling like I am in San Francisco while I edit this section.

The only problem that I am having is deciding what conversation to go with. As mentioned earlier,  so much was said.  So much was said that I have to take a step back to see where I want to go with the interviews.  I can see how the interviews can lead to too many directions.  I don't want to open "a big can of worms." And when I say, "a can of worms," I mean that I don't want to go off tangent and loose focus of what the real meaning of what the doc represents. It's interesting because I went through the  same thing with LA section. And I have to say, I was really pleased with the turnout, even though it took me a few months to get a good draft.

I am really being patient with my edits. In the past I would always work too fast and try to get  through my edits emotionally. But, this time around I have taken a different approach. I am taking my time and making sure I am more detailed than ever. I am being more picky then ever and I am pushing myself to make everything perfect or at least close to perfect. So I am listening more closely to interviews and I am being more creative with the situation that I set myself up with.  I guess what I am trying to say is that, I have to be creative in every way to make this story as interesting as possible.

The SF section is another challenge and I am looking forward to another few months on this section! I am having fun and that's what matters most.

Sometimes I feel I am still in shock that my project was made. Lately, I have been going through footages of my SF and LA trip and I catch myself saying, "Did I shoot that?" I didn't have a conscious when I shot this doc. I was going to live and die with whatever was filmed.


That's it for now

Junior Gonzalez
The Filmmaker

Getting Back on Track

I know its been a couple of months or so since you last heard of me. I have been working lately to get financially back on track. After my trip I was broke with a few dollars in my bank account and I wasn't sure if I was going to have a job or not. Luckily, I did not loose my job. Thank god! I was back on rotation with work as a camera guy. Even though I did not want to take a break from my project... I had to.  I had to be real with my situation... and the real situation is that - I NEEDED MONEY! I am not like most people where money is handed to them. I actually have to work to survive. I am on my own and I have bills bills bills.

The short time off was not a problem. There is nothing wrong with regrouping and planning your next move. I feel you have to do that! What is the purpose of life if you don't plan?  Like I said before, I'm at a stage where time is more valuable then ever and also time should never be wasted.

So far everything has paid off. Since I returned all the equipment that I borrowed, I was left without a computer. It was hard for me to edit sometimes because I would barrow my girl's computer off and on. It was hard to get in groove with editing, but I got some editing done with the time I had.  To fix the problem I saved some money and bought my own computer. I had to throw-down a lot of cash, but it was well worth it! After so many years I finally have my own computer! It's sad to say that, but the important part is that I did it on my own. Now, I am trying fix up my computer, so that I can properly work on it. I will be getting the editing software Final Cut Pro soon  and will be adding other software to get started.  Slowly, but surely I am making it happen. Once I have all the programs intact, I should be ready to roll. I will be editing around the clock.

With the time I did have, I was able to get a rough edit of my L.A. section of the doc. It still needs some work but the blocks are building and the project is coming alive. It looks like I will be editing all of the interviews seperatley and then I will be piecing them together. I am really excited because so far I am liking how my L.A. section is turning out.

I will keep you posted. Like I said slowly but surely things are getting done.
Thanks for be patient.

I tell myself everyday, "one step at a time!"


Junior Gonzalez
The Filmmaker   

It's a Wrap!

It was a tough week. I came down with a bad cold, but I was able to finish and get what I need. I shot some L.A. b-roll and I finally interviewed the professor. The Professor was very helpful and very key to my documentary. The professor is definitely going to give my project some credibility. There will be people who are going to know a thing or two about the Salvadoran culture. I even learned a few things from him that I didn't know, but I rather save that for the doc. It was amazing how the professor condensed a whole semester of class into a couple of hours of interview time. The whole process felt like, as if I was in a classroom and he was giving a lecture... That's what pretty much happened. I was very overwhelmed with the knowledge and how much he knew. The interview started from the colonial years to present time. So you'll already know that a lot was said. I am glad that their is a program that teaches about Central America. More importantly, the program is a major. I feel that is huge. The program for me is a demonstration of how far the Central American culture has come. Central American folks were non-existence, until now.  Now the population is growing. We have folks from Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, and Salvadorans making their way in the U.S. I almost feel the program is almost like a reflection of how my project has developed.  That is one of the main reason why I wanted to do this doc... because representation of my culture was needed.

Once we were done with the interview and I pressed stop to stop recording, it felt weird. I was weirded out because I was not filming anybody else anymore. I said to myself... am I really done????  Yes, I am. In a way I wanted to continue filming. For awhile the camera was starting to become a part of me. Though,  it was a relief that I got done with this part of the process of filming, I will miss filming. I'll probably will need to do some pick-ups, but I will wait to see what I have first in order to make any decisions. I have enough footage to play with, so I am not too worried about it.

It's almost unbelievable that I got this done. After all the drama I went through with this project, I still came on top and got it done! On my way back to the bay, I rode the bus feeling good. I had a chance to breath a little. The down part is that I am feeling so sick right now.  Its okay , Ill live. I know I have another mountain to climb, but I am grateful for everything that has happened so far. I feel so blessed and I want to thank god for guiding me into the right direction. I will continue to fight and stay strong.  Its not over yet, but for now I am catching up on some sleep and rest because I know I will have a lot editing coming my way! Thank you for all of your support and love.


Junior Gonzalez
The Filmmaker

In L.A. to Finish My Last Week of Production

I got in six in the morning. I am so worn out right now. I can't believe I am at the end of this journey of filming. Of course I still have to edit, but filming everything is the hardest part of production. I have my last interview set up this Thursday and Friday.  But for the meantime, I went to work as usual. I went around town to shoot some b-roll. I figured that I get a jump start since i am going to have a short week. I am trying to get back to the bay either Friday night or Saturday morning.



The 101. Since it's early in the morning, there is no traffic. That's a first for L.A. 

 I really want to get back on a set schedule. The last few months have been all over the place for me. Plus, I have been feeling sick. I haven't been eating well or getting enough sleep. That's never a good combination, but I am just telling myself one more week! I think next week I am going to start working as well. I am really happy about that because I am on my last drop of change.  

Junior Gonzalez
The Filmmaker