An Industry Case Study
Narrative | Dramatic Features
Film Name: Silent Ways and Band
Date: the completion date for the film 2019
Director: Lucia Villaescusa
Producer: Lucia Villaescusa
Writer: Lucia Villaescusa
Sound: Guido Consoli
Budget: Ultra low budget
Financing: Personal savings, family support
Shooting Format: 2K
Screening Format: 16:9
World Premiere: Silent Ways in Monaco Film Festival May 12th, 2019. Bend in LA Shorts International Film Festival, July 23rd, 2019.
Website: www.lucyvico.com
A Short Biography of Lucia Villaescusa
Lucia Villaescusa is an actress, writer and director. Lucia Villaescusa is known for My Great British Girl, Soy Un Vampiro (2021), and Silent Ways (2019).
The Lucia Villaescusa Interview
indieactivity: What is your film about?
Lucia Villaescusa (LV): Silent Ways is a short film about love and the heartbreak of its loss due to miscommunications. At the final moment of their dying relationship, Frank and Georgie go back to the beginning, realizing had they been truthful, things might’ve turned out differently. In reverse, the relationship displayed all the way to the beginning in contrast with everything they wished they had said.
The idea behind Silent Ways is to show how, through our silence, our relationships (whether romantic, professional, friendship…) are affected. If, after watching this, someone can question how they’ve shut off in life, how they haven’t dared to open up and also listen… Then it will have served its purpose. It is inspired by many people I know, as well as books and articles I’ve read.
I love writing, and the reason why I decided to tell this story now is because I was seeing so many relationships, where both were super sweet, kind people, and yet they were failing. By failing I mean that they were hurting each other and themselves, and all because they couldn’t seem to communicate in a language the other one understood. Or time, space, and their fears made them become so distant that they didn’t know how to relate anymore.
The other project, Bend, is a psychological thriller- teaser for a pilot – with mystery, drama, fantasy and supernatural elements surrounding the apparent suicide of a young woman, Crystal. Fay returns to the sleepy town she used to call home and is left to face the ghosts or fairy-tales of their past. Together with Mina, her neighbor and childhood friend, she embarks on a quest to find out the truth regarding Crystal’s disappearance. The project is still under development and the 5 minute teaser, currently in festivals, will be used to promote the whole series.
This is a placeholder text for the interview question?
Lucia Villaescusa (LV): Silent Ways premiered in the Monaco Film Festival May 2019, where I felt so honored to take home the Award for Best Actress. During this time, between April and May, it found success in some online festivals, such as Los Angeles Film Awards, where it won an Honorable Mention for Romance Film; Festigious Film Awards, where it won an Honorable Mention for Indie Filmmaker; Aphrodite Film Awards, where it was a Finalist for Best Under 5 Minutes Short Film, Best Actress and Best Director.
The next screening for Silent Ways was as an Official Selection of the Baja California Film Festival in June 2019. The following month, it was also presented at the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles with 5 other award-winning films as a part of an Actors Slashersevent hosted by actress Vange Tapia.
The following screenings will be: At the Short + Sweet Film Festival in Hollywood in September and Oaxaca Film Festival in October.
Bend, was made as a teaser for a pilot, not a short film, and didn’t follow a traditional festival route, having as the only screening/premiere the LA Shorts International Film Festival, July 2019.
Development & Financing?
Lucia Villaescusa (LV): Both projects (Silent Ways and Bend) are original and self-financed. I wrote, directed, and produced them myself, and although it was not part of the plan, I ended up doing the editing, too. These two films stand as my debut as a filmmaker, and I knew that if I wanted to ask people to trust me, to invest in my productions, they first had to see what I can do and where my ideas can go.
That’s why it was so important for me to just start and create something rather than wait until something bigger came together. These two were made as calling cards, one as an director/producer, and the other focusing on the content-creator part.
Also, as an actress, you often do many projects that you think have so much potential, and you never hear from them again or see them anywhere, so it feels great to take control of that situation and make sure your projects at least get some exposure.
Production?
Lucia Villaescusa (LV): We shot both projects, back to back, in one weekend. The first day, Silent Ways, the next day, Bend. This was for budget reasons – whatever equipment we needed to rent was given for a day’s discounted rate for the whole weekend. So that’s what we had! I also knew that as a first-time filmmaker, I wanted to keep things as simple as possible, one location, minimal crew (less than 10 people at all times, including cast and crew) and all dialogue/character driven, instead of any action or effects.
After we finished shooting, due to conflicting schedules, the editor wasn’t available, so I started editing everything myself on my laptop. It was also a really close collaboration with Guido Consoli, the composer, who explained how scoring works and everything that was needed, and ended up composing beautiful music for the films. It’s been a learning experience!
Festival Preparation & Strategy?
Lucia Villaescusa (LV): The festival run is still ongoing, and for now I’m doing everything myself, but I look forward to having a bigger team to collaborate with on the next project!
The Release?
LV: The release, whether on some SVOD platform or directly through an international representative, is still in the works! Nothing I can share publicly yet.
Advice from the Filmmaker?
LV: Don’t be afraid to do it. It might seem overwhelming, but taking one step at a time it can be done! Also, try to be smart and realistic about your choices. For what you have, make a list of places, people, things. Anything and anyone that might help you or would be happy to work with you. Once you decide to go for it, keep it simple and be kind to everyone! One of the best things you can do is surround yourself with people you admire. Learn from them. And also stand by your convictions. And believe!
You never know what might happen…
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