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

Finish With My SF Section of the Doc

Last night was my final day of filming Santos. He had a show in Sacramento and he rocked it! It was a good show and he did his thing.  I give him props for doing whatever it takes to get exposure. He's a very committed person.  Thank you Santos for allowing me document a part of your life. I wish nothing but luck for you! Santos has been doing it for the last ten years or so. And its all for love for music. Its only time when something good will happen. I believe that people always get rewarded for hard work. Its called "paying dues."

Everyone at this point that I have interviewed has paid their dues.  That's the energy I feed off from. I know I mentioned this already, but it helps to be around people who want to do something with their lives. Folks like Santos, RDBM, The Salvadoran Author, and FenomeDon inspire me.

Seeing Santos onstage that night hyped me up. I wanted to get onstage and be one of those background guys who rapping with MC. I feel like the Spanish hip-hop is part of me now. I've been constantly around it, the last few months. I can't rap, but maybe on one of my next coming logs Ill write some lyrics and get poetic.

I've really got into this doc that I am feeling like a hip-hop artist. That might be a good thing... I'm just feeling the vibe and I just happen to see a good show from Santos.

I am almost done. Heading to La La land soon to finish!

Junior Gonzalez
The Filmmaker

A Busy Last Two Days

On monday I was glad that we were able to shoot at a pupuseria restaurant in the mission district. I have to say "Balompie Cafe and Restaurant" is probably the best place to get some homemade style pupusas. Its real Salvadoran food. They are off of Capp and Mission. If you are ever around the mission district in San Francisco, you have to go and try them.  Hands down, the best spot.  I was really excited about filming there. All of the customers were looking curiously because I had set some lights and plus I had the camera fixed up with the redrock adaptor, so it looked legitimate.  The waiters and wiatresses were all cool and helpful. They reserved a spot for me in the restaraunt, so they made it easier for me to film. I want to say thank you to the owner for making it happen. Good looking out! The interview was just as good.  Here Santos opened up and we carried a conversation about his journey in the music game. This was pretty much our last sit down interview. So it was important that Santos said what he needed to say. It all worked out. I just can't wait to start editing, but I want to wait till my last interview, which will be on March 1st.

Yesterday,  I was in on another studio session with Santos. I believe I have been to three sessions already, so its good that I catch him working on his album. That's really important for the documentary because I want to make sure I get them in action. I learned something to about studio sessions... its a long process to get something right. I learned about bpm, bars,  counts,  hooks, and verses.  All that is another language but it is also very similiar to the filming process. In every art form there is some sort of structure and process that everyone goes through. I know some people would be bored going through the process, but I don't because I enjoy the fact that I see something get created.

I am almost done with Santos's section of the documentary. We have few more shoots, a show, a photo album cover shoot, and finishing off the second half of the video. I almost done! I can't beleive it. At this rate when I get done I might not have a job because I have been taking too much time off already. Oh well, this is for my art. I'll worry about it when I am really broke, which is very soon.

Junior Gonzalez
The Filmmaker

6am Shoot Today

It was an early shoot for me this morning. Today was part-one of making Santos' music video. We are going to break it up in two days to finish it. We decided to do a music video since we weren't schedule to have an interview.  We both felt we had to do some sort of filming. So we did!  I think its been almost four years or so that we've been trying to make a music video.  Time and scheduling was always a big issue.  I feel those two things has always played a factor in my life.  If its not time or scheduling, then its definitely a money issue.

But I am glad it happened this way, I couldn't of asked for better timing! Since I have been documenting him and his music this whole month, it made sense to make a music video. The song that we will be doing is "So blessed," it is a song from his up coming album. The song is a uplifting, feel good song. Actually, I filmed one of his studio sessions when he was recording "So Blessed." So that was cool to witness.  

I'll probably use some of the video for my doc. the good thing is it all relates. I am capturing peoples lives, action, and what their doing at that particular moment.  So I am glad that I can share this experience and be part of this moment. I am even happier that I will have two music videos made in the last two months...along with making this doc. My other video that I made was with "Reyes Del Bajo Mundo," when I was on my east coast trip. I got the filming bug right now so I am shooting for the stars! I have to think big, that's the only way.

Right now, I am taking a break at Starbucks, drinking some warm green tea.  Santos dropped me off by fisherman's wharfs when we were done with todays shoot. I had a good day and wanted to jump on the blog to share this moment. When I am done with my tea, I am going to walk around the city to shoot some b-roll for the doc. Like I said I got the shooting bug!

Tomorrow should be fun because I got permission to shoot inside a pupuseria restaurant. Santos will be doing one last interview in the mission district.  I'll let you know how that goes.

The work don't stop!  God Bless!

Junior Gonzalez
The Filmmaker