Beautiful day in dfw today! I'm facing my cooking fears. Maybe that's what it took.. on Tuesday I'm going to a cooking class at one of my fave markets New Flower Market down the street. I called my grandpa for tips on how to cook a simple steak guisado, and made notes. I’m trying it out tonight.
When the wallet hurts, it’s wise to make ends meet with a little creativity and new appreciation for culinary. Don’t get me wrong, I agree it’s solemnly better to cook your own food rather than to go to restaurants where you may not be aware how things are being prepared or where they come from. It will hopefully also help me loose weight because (at least this happens to me) you are more cognizant of how much you are eating. Serve yourself once and only the amount you should be eating. Also, as a thing in general I’m trying to differently, part of the mind set “Do things differently and you will get different results,” is to feed my body more vegetables and fruits in raw form than meats. It’s a process. I’ve also noticed I like putting salads in my sandwiches, like loading them with veggies. Wholesome health cannot be accomplished with poor nutrition.
I'm in search of practical and healthy meals. I usually prepare food for just one person, and I'm a fan of Tupperware and cooking large portions to save for later. Let me know if you can share any recipes.
Bon appetit!
2.28.2010
2.10.2010
Chicago Indie Short Film Experience
I was in Chicago a total of 6 days. I worked long hours for 3 days, and 2 production days. I had one day off to explore the city, and get to know Chicago. Unfortunately or as it may be.. On my only day off it rained all day long. I did get to explore a bit. I loved the train transportation system.. it's so convenient and it seems like most of chicago is well connected. I liked the vibe I got from the culture, even though I didn't get to meet and mingle with to many locals, the few that I did gave me a cool impression of the city.
The production was fun and labor some. It was a great experience to collaborate with Dalia. We have many things in common as far as our work style; very energetic, and driven, creative and passionate. I think the crew that we were able to put together had some great chemistry we did not encounter any major issues, just the usual you see in an indie low budget short film. Out of which each issue was just another hurdle for me to pass. I felt like I was "on" 100% of the time I was there. There were nights where my body wasn't resting and my mind was still racing 100miles an hour and thinking of set pieces, schedules, and protocol. I did lack sleep but I dealt with it and tried very hard to not let it affect my work. -- It's part of the "fun."
We had some very talented people participate as cast and crew and I hope that this was a great experience for them too.
This experience only adds to my colorful journey into becoming a better producer and leader on productions. I truly enjoyed my stay and the company I was with both on set and in my (little) spare time.
I also ventured into checking out some of the improv comedy clubs in CHI town but was only able to make it to one venue. I visited I.O. aka Improv Olympic that is in Wrigleyville. It was a blast, I went with my friend Roberto who is about to complete his masters in business psychology. To him, improv comedy theaters is a new experience and to me it's tradition to venture into the local stages of a new city. SECOND CITY is on my list, and I still can't believe I wasn't able to squeeze it in on there. I must return to Chicago for there is so much more I haven't seen of the city.
'Til next time Chi-town!
Meanwhile work on the short continues, it's in post production to be edit by Dalia Tapia in the next few weeks. follow the progress at www.panchoclos.com
Pancho Clos & Laura Lilia Trevino Cross Paths - Early Jan
Approximately 3 days after I was dismissed from Uni, I receive a phone call from a fellow woman filmmaker I met at a film festival in September 2009. When we met we had an immediate great connection, we were somehow on similar wave lengths, or traveling through similar paths, and could simply relate, and connect very well. Her name was Dalia Tapia, I could tell her charisma was flowing well with mine. Anyway we had a great time at the festival and we parted, she returned to her life in Chicago to continue festival rounds with SILENT SHAME and then begin pre prod work for PANCHO CLOS. We kept in touch over the months.
At approx 3 days after I learned my life would change forever, she reached out to me about co-producing and assistant directing her next short film in Chicago. It was an exciting offer, to coproduce and A.D. a short film in a city I had never been before, in the next 10 days. If I were to accept, my work would begin immediately working remotely to hire crew, break down the script, make lists, locations, scheduling, and all the pre work. So I did, I knew I was very intrigued by Dalia and her approach to filmmaking that I couldn't let this perfect opportunity pass me by.
All the cards were right, no job to conflict my hours, no projects to interfere, and a desire to grow professionally as a producer & A.D. as well as explore new cities.
Seize it, ready or not.
Aiming for the Moon AND Stars - Early Jan
"So what's next?" The infamous question that gets me giddy inside to tell people about my ambitious plans..... yes ambitious. "Hey, aim for the moon and if you don't get there at least you'll land in the stars." Right?
TONS!!! I mean tons!
It's ironic.. that 2 days before I was laid off I was so driven, inspired and motivated to write and brainstorm ideas and goals I would pursue this year. Overwhelming to most, but adrenaline rush for me, I came up with 2 full page type ups of projects to embark, to launch, to close, or to initiate. I wrote all these ideas assuming I had all the time in the world, assuming I had all the resources to do it.. b/c this is how you SHOULD envision it. All those finer details will fall into place when the time and elements are aligned and are right. So anyway... I had written 2 pages of projects etc.. But to begin with on what's next..
1. I plan to pursue production free lancing. I will offer my skills and service as Director, Producer, Assistant Director, Scrip Supervisor, Art Department, Field Producer and similar leadership positions. I'm currently looking to expand my experience as a leader in production. Since I will now have more time (as opposed to how it used to be only available after 5pm and on the weekends) to pursue productions and leadership is one of my nature qualities I want to put it to great use and participate in the creation of awesome works while working with interesting like minded people. I hope that my work in this may take me to visit other cities and explore more of what I love.
2. I will pursue my own motion picture production business at full throttle speed. I've always complained about not having enough time, enough resources and I now have all the time to seize and grow this business. I have a couple of models in mind, I'm searching to collaborate with the right people to make things happen.
3. I will be opening a dine-in showplex theater in South Texas in the spring of 2010. This is a dream come true. It is an idea I had been cultivating since I was about 15 years old. Nearly ten years later I find myself still coming around to the idea and finally with the right people, the right timing, the right resources ready to evolve and manifest. We began making this a reality in the summer of 2009. We had a preview demo show in December that brought us a full house and great results. At this point we are finalizing marketing, structure, the facility, permits etc. This is something I will be working on remotely from where ever I may find myself living. Please follow the progress on our site www.illusionshowplex.com
4. There's also tons of people I've love to catch up with that we previously had way different schedules and couldn't coincide.
5. In 2010 I also hope to be serving in more leadership roles in the local film community and organizations.
6. On a personal level.. I hope to be able to sustain good health for longer periods of time, and be able to rebuild my immune system. So I will be prioritizing health initiatives.
So those are the key points in a nut shell. Some projects have already begun to unfold. Exciting collaborations coming up!
- peace-
Time is to be my best friend, not my enemy. 2010 is a year for multiple desires and ideas to manifest.
Parting ways with Univision - Early January
2010 has been an amazing ride thus far. The next couple of entries will be an attempt to recap significant happenings this year.
Parting ways with Univision. - Early January
Beginning with the first week of January, as I returned to the first day of work from vacay in South Texas & Mexico with the family.. at approximately an hour before ending the day I learned that due to company restructuring I would be loosing my job. Yeah, bummer in a way. I think the person who had to dismiss me was way more nervous and a wreck than I was. Notably, I was able to remain composed.. the only thing I could think of was "Wow, it's happening." Every ounce of intuition that had hinted for this moment was exalted.
I was not afraid, I was not worried, I was not upset. I was ok. I was prepared- Mentally at least.
Sincerely, to me, this meant freedom and positive change. Yes, loosing a job is a big deal and I was concerned about not having a steady pay check anymore.. but by the same token I felt that this was the only way it should've happened. I liked the company I was working and didn't want to quit. For about 8 months I had been juggling both the full time job with this company and my own business on the side for motion picture production. I'm so grateful I had started that business when I did. I'm excited about this next chapter in my life. Deep down inside I've always known I could succeed on my own- be my own boss and be able to make a living and succeed. So this is the chance to put it all to the test. I'm young and determined. I have nothing to loose and everything to gain. And even if I had things to loose, everything is replaceable I can always- always- always- rebuild back up. I have strong faith in myself and in my abilities.
Although I spent 2 years and a half of my life at Univision, it was a good ride and a wonderful experience that has expanded my knowledge in the media business, politics, relationships, advertising, corporate world, transactions, creative flow in the workplace, time management, things that matter versus those that don't, dealing with certain personalities, hierarchy in the work place, Spanish language media, the trends and landscape of the industry.... It was a good experiment for me, working in a confined space for 8 hours a day/7 days a week.. I now know I will never desire to return to that.
Uni, Thanks for the amazing opportunity to gain so much and to meet so many interesting people.
KEEP IN M O T I O N... If you're not growing you're dying. ;)