From Script to Screen

This is it. In this episode we discuss HOW we got the distribution for our film, how it ended up on Netflix, and we share some final thoughts on this 4 year journey. We also cover the deliverables list by our distribution, what formats, files and legal documents they needed from us in order to release our film. We talk about a new trailer that they cut for us, and the new poster that was used to promote the film. We will also get real about the pros and cons of theatrical and DVD releases VS PVOD releases.Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

Almost every single independent filmmaker dreams of submitting his/her film into a film festival with the hopes of it catching peoples eyes and obtain distribution. In this episode we tell our own experience with festivals, the ones that accepted us and the ones that rejected us. We also talk politics that go behind festivals as well as how to network and talk to people when trying to promote your film at Sundance. We are nearing the end of our journey and getting closer to our distribution deal.Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

Now we finally unvail our finish piece to the cast and crew, family and friends. How did we organize a private screening for everyone. And what was some of the initial feedback from family and friends and even some strangers with no attachment to the film?Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

Today we discuss how we organized our visual effects shots and explained to our vfx artist what we needed. We also touch on working with a colorist and the importance in those final stages of post production. We talk about some of the most difficult challenges we faced when coloring, and how we fixed some of our mistakes, from production, during this process. And finally we talk about hitting the export button and what formats we needed in order to have the best possible quality for our film.Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

We dive in with our composer into the LENGTHY process of discovering the right music for the film. What kind of instruments if any at all did he use? As well as how he took critiques and inspiration from us. Alonso talks about his process and inspirations to compose the music of the entire film.Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

One of the most forgotten and undervalued departments and one most amateurs don't think about is SOUND. In this episode we discuss with Alonso what were some of the things we did wrong during production that now were going to have to be fixed in post. He will break down his process of cleaning out the original audio and the irrecuperable audio that later turned into extra audio expenses. He will also go into detail on what it took to create gun shots from scratch, as well as how can sound design affect the emotion of a scene.Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

Production is wrapped, now this is where you put all the pieces together and it comes out exactly how you wanted it right? FALSE! In this episode we breakdown the heartbreaking, cringe fest that is to look at the first rough cut of your film. We discuss how long it took to get a first cut and what it looked like. We also take a look at what failed and what succeeded, and how we changed the movie AGAIN. Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

In this episode we dig deeper into Andrew's thought process for directing and working with actors, how to find moments of creativity on on set, stunts and action, how to build camaraderie with the cast and crew, and how to overcome some of the most stressful moments during production. Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

In this episode we take a moment to talk with one of our main actors Steven Sean Garland. We discuss everything from approaching him for the first time to do the film, his own approach to acting and the character he played. He also shares his personal experience during production, and overall thoughts of the entire process.Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

It’s time to finally put the lights up and roll the camera. We’ll discuss why our pre production saved us major headaches on set, battling shooting before the sun goes down, and other challenges we faced and conquered as a team. A whole month in the Arizona heat came with plenty of stories and learning lessons. We focus on the first few days of production and what those days were like.Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

In this weeks episode we discuss our trip to Tucson Arizona to do location scouting for "Fronteras". We talk about how we arranged the locations, some of the changes we faced, and why is location scouting crucial to the production. Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

We discuss how to plan camera essentials according to the script, where to find and how to talk to rental companies. We discuss rental insurance and why you need it. And finally what to do when things go wrong.Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

This week we talk about our lack of a production designer and how we overcame this by adjusting locations and characters based on what we could achieve within our budget. ALSO we discuss the locations we used on fronteras. How did we find them? What can people use to their advantage as well as useful tools to lockdown locations for their film.Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

Andrew will describe his process in the casting of Fronteras. How did he find actors? How do you tell them you can’t pay them? What can you promise? What were some of the struggles we faced while casting and why is casting so far in advance so important. Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

How do you find a crew that will work in your movie for free? How do you pay them back for their hard work when you have no money? This episode we will talk about how big our crew was, as well as how we convinced them to follow us in this crazy adventure. Today our Second Assistant Camera Jake Gookin joins us. Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

“I have no idea how much i need to make a movie”. In this episode we will breakdown what a script breakdown is, why it's important, and why it should be one of the first things you should do too. We will talk through our process in breaking the script, and writing a budget sheet. As well as how this will quickly make you change your script. This is where your dreams turn into REAL HARD DOLLARS. This is where the fun begins. Now that we have a target dollar amount to achieve, now HOW do we achieve it? How do we achieve this by ourselves? The answer is WORK WORK WORK. We dive into our laborious and tedious task of spending every weekend determining every single detail about the film. Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

We have a script, now what? In this episode we talk about what it's like to try to find money. Who did we talk to? How much money did we get from fundraising websites such as GoFundMe? And what we ultimately decided to do, and how we did it.Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

We invite you to follow us as we break down our step by step process on how we got our movie on Netflix. In this first episode we begin with the conception of the idea for the film, and why we decided to make our very first feature film. We talk about what inspired us, what challenges we faced (where to begin?), general questions we asked ourselves like: How are we going to get the money? How will we crew? What kind of film should this be? Etc.Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)

In this episode we will break down Andrew’s process in writing a script. How long it took, how did WE come up with our own process, what did we dream this script would be? How did you take critiques and adjust? How can people write a script that can fit into a MICRO budget?Support the show (https://www.amazon.com/Fronteras-Steve-Oropeza/dp/B07YDPCB67/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fronteras&qid=1584630847&sr=8-1)