On Filmmaking.

It's been a little over a year since production began on "Nada Es Para Siempre". Production wrapped in February of this year and I promptly began looking over the footage. I wasn't pleased with a lot of it.

It was an ambitious endeavor to take on not only writing and directing, but also acting in the short. I also did lighting, which consisted of minimal and natural light. There were 2 cinematographers that were in talks in the beginning. One had scheduling conflicts and the other dropped out last minute. This left me with only one option. I had my producer operate the camera. This turned out to be the main reason why the majority of the footage was unusable. It did not reflect my vision for the film AT ALL.

Not only that, but the actor hired to play Edwin didn't work out. I knew I had to re-cast his role. Thankfully the role of Tio Enrique was shot and the results were beautiful. The location had plenty of natural light to work with and my co-star Martin put on a wonderful performance.

In the last few months I've been dealing with changes in my life, new job, new place, etc. I've recently had the time to look over the footage again and re-write the script. Most of the footage will not be used. Something I did not want to do, but it must be done. I refuse to just use what I have or worse not finish this project at all.

The script is done, all I need now is to cast Edwin. I hope to commence filming sometime in late September.

I knew filmmaking would never be easy, but that's not why I wanted to do this. I do it because I love it and I'm good at it. My passion drives me to do more, to do better and to learn from every mistake I make. My never ending film school.

A random moment from one of the last days of shooting. Late 2014.

Until next time. Peace

Chris Jensen-Soto
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3786598/

Constantly Motivated...

....To simply do more.

I'll be brief.

I won't go on and on about how much I'm going to accomplish this year. I know I have A LOT on my plate and I'm extremely excited.

Post-Production for "Nada Es Para Siempre"

Writing a feature film with collaborator "Martin Morales"

Shooting a feature.

Finally, FINALLY getting my photography project started. Probably the project I'm most excited about because it took so damn long to bring to life.

And of course, more acting.

And that's just what I have lined up. Who knows what else this year will bring.

More updates definitely on the way. Just wanted to say I'm here! Still doing my thing.

Later folks, until next time.
Peace.

Chris Jensen-Soto
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3786598/

Behind my parents house. St. Cloud, FL. Shot on a GoPro Hero3.

Nothing Lasts Forever

As the final day of shooting for "Nada Es Para Siempre" approaches I feel an extreme sense of relief.......and anxiety.

A six day shoot that spanned over 2 months will end this Saturday, the 25th of October. A project that has been simmering in me since 2010. One that is extremely personal and has been the hardest project I've ever done up until this point.

I produced, directed, acted and eventually will be cutting the short. I wore many hats on this one. The hardest part? Reliving my past. Becoming the character of "Adrian" was not easy. I've pretty much been him since the first day of shooting. I committed to the character, I've given my all to portray this damaged, confused and vulnerable man. A man I once was......

I have an immense amount of respect for the men and women that do this day after day. To become a character, to commit, to truly be that person is exhausting, but also therapeutic.

Growing up I always wanted to be an actor, but never pursued it. Better late than never right?

And with that I say goodnight. Until next time. Peace.

Chris Jensen-Soto

Still From day 5 of shooting. Photo Credit-Brian Cuojoe Tolbert

On Acting.

There is no such thing as becoming another character by putting on a lot of make up. You may need to put the makeup on, but what you're really doing is undressing yourself and even tearing yourself apart. And presenting to the public that part of you which corresponds to what you were playing. And there is a villain in each of us, a murderer in each of us, a fascist in each of us, a saint in each of us. The actor is the man or woman who can eliminate from himself those things that will interfere with that truth. - Orson Welles

Mr. Welles is a huge inspiration for me as a filmmaker and when I heard his take on acting it just made perfect sense to me. It's why I am at ease whenever I direct an actor. I get it. I am what they call an actors director. Probably because at one point I wanted to be an actor. Funny, I've never really told anyone that. I least I don't think so.

Growing up I was an extremely imaginative child. One memory that sticks out is dressing up in a robe, throwing on a backpack and any other gadget I could get my hands on and reenact The Goonies in costume. I was Data of course. I LOVED doing it, not just with The Goonies, but with almost every movie I watched. I was Gordie in "Stand By Me", Elliot in E.T. I wanted to do that, be an actor, show the world what i was made of! But damn I was a shy kid. I could barely speak in front of a classroom without getting all red and mumbly. So no, acting just wasn't meant to be for me. So I wrote.

What I'll look like for "NADA".

And here we are now many years later, 8 years into my career and yes I have acted. I even took an acting class many years ago and aced the shit out of it. I eventually grew out of my shy guy stage and embraced the fact that YES I have it in me. I am a natural as many of my friends will attest to that. But now I have my biggest challenge yet. My latest script : NADA ES PARA SIEMPRE" or "NOTHING IS FOREVER" is in pre production and I am the lead. Am I nervous? Kind of. The script is loosely based on a funky ass time in my life. A time I was completely lost, depressed and thought I would never overcome. But I did because here I am. What really makes me nervous and scares me a bit is reliving that time. Who wants to do over such a shitty moment in their life? I do! Weird I know, but for me I feel I won't be able to leave that behind until I do this. I need this to move on.

Preproduction is currently underway. My producer is friend and long time collaborator Brian "Cuojoe" Tolbert of DAGDAFILM. Shooting should begin around mid July. Look out for more updates in the coming weeks. Until next time.

Peace

Chris Jensen-Soto
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3786598/


BTW: If you missed my last blog please check it out and feel free to share. Thanks!
http://soconfilms.blogspot.com/2014/04/there-is-kind-of-beauty-in-imperfection.html

On writing (And other stuff)

So I finally began to write again. It has been over 2 years since my last effort putting pen to paper. Literally.

I've made it a point to do just that, instead of using computer software to write out my first drafts. There is something very liberating when writing free hand. You write effortlessly and quickly, no need to stop. Writing my latest short script I found myself done within 10 minutes. A revision of an unfinished script.

My latest "Nada es Para Siempre" or "Nothing is Forever" was conceived back in 2010. After going through multiple rewrites I stopped working on it. I was frustrated, the story was not even close to where I wanted it to be. The concept was being taken from a time in my life that was extremely difficult for me , but somehow I still managed to completely stray away from my initial idea. I needed more time. So I stopped writing.

After numerous events in my life I finally found the focus I needed to start writing again."Nada" is done, my true vision for the script is there as it should have been from the start. Next step is to register it with The Writer's Guild, then prepare for pre-production.

Within the next month (Mid to late March) I will announce more on this short.

I have another project coming up as well. I will be shooting a short for friend and fellow artist Brian "Cuojoe"  Tolbert. I'm looking forward to it since this is the 2nd major project I get to shoot with my Canon 60D. The first being "B" camera on "Kill Kapone".

Plenty of other things happening, such as focusing more on my photography. I've been shooting ever chance I get, but before I do any major projects I'd like to post work from the past year first. Below is a photo I shot right around the end of 2011. It was taken at LACMA I'd say around October. This was actually shot with the Canon Powershot ELPH 300 HS.

It's amazing to think that had I not taken this when I did the entire impact of this shot would have been lost. The woman at the bottom right of the frame walked away just a few seconds after.

Until next time. Peace.

Chris Jensen-Soto
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3786598/

2013

Finally got off my ass and decided to write my last blog of the year.

This year has been strange indeed. A debilitating injury had me out of work for almost a year. (Rather not go into details.) It was a difficult time dealing with doctors, physical therapists and just the awful pain that affected my life tremendously.

One good thing that came out of this was getting back into the gym, which was necessary for my rehabilitation. Didn't realize how out of shape I was, I'm talking SEVERELY out of shape. Which brings me to one of the highlights of my year.

"KILL KAPONE" was the 2nd feature I've worked on since the start of my career over 6 years ago. The first I worked as a Production Assistant. For Kapone I was initially hired as an editor. After the first day of shooting I was given the opportunity to shoot B camera. Man I remember doing my best to hide my excitement. Working alongside a DP who was so encouraging and fun to work with. In fact the entire cast and crew were amazing. It was great to go on set each day and actually look forward to it.

My career is definitely headed in the right direction. Another year that I've grown not only as an artist, but as a person. I thank God every single day for surrounding me with people that support what I do. Not just my family, but those that I have met through work. Those wonderful people that are just as passionate as I am in my endeavors.


So what's in store for SOCONFILMS in 2013? Plenty.

Finish my first feature script. I've had a rough draft written out since last April.

Post more of my Photography. I have work from the past year that has yet to be seen.

Work on my Photography. How? Just go out and shoot!

And many more to come.

Until next year folks. Have a safe and Happy New Year. Peace.

Chris
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3786598/

Skaters @ Venice Beach.

Now Playing: Eventuality

Good afternoon everyone.

It's been about 2 1/2 years since Eventuality was shot, so I decided

I would post it online. Below a brief history on the short.

Conceived back in the summer of 2009 Eventuality was never meant to be anything more than an experiment. I had this idea to present a story in a very realistic way. Not "found footage", but more of a memory of sorts, a urban legend that was passed around countless times. In turn the events would be somewhat convoluted, which to me made perfect sense.

Originally I wanted to shoot it on an old Sony 8mm camcorder, my first camera actually. I wanted to get a really cheap, grainy look to it. I was advised to just shoot it in HD and then make it look cheap and grainy. I'm glad I decided to go that route.

I never wrote an actual script for Eventuality, just an outline. In the end I did write just one scene only because it would have been agony to get the actors to just make something up on the spot. This portion of the short was crucial, it sets everything up that follows, it makes you understand the characters that much more. Of course I gave my actors freedom to improvise, which gave the scene a natural feel.

The opening scene was in fact improvised on the spot, which is why it's so random and vulgar.

Now before I present to you the final cut I'd like to say one more thing. Watch this with a very open mind and open ears for that matter. Again it's an experiment, it's meant to be a bit surreal and trippy. If you have to, watch it twice. I guarantee there will be something you missed the first time around.

I made this short with the intention of it not being fully straight forward. This way you the audience can discuss it afterwards and put the pieces together.

So enjoy and feel free to comment. If you would like more info on Eventuality such as the casting and production process please visit: Eventuality:How it Came To Be  Also check out: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1617115/Thanks again for the support. 

Before I forget, I highly recommend you watch this with headphones on to get the full effect! (Unless you have a really bad ass sound system of course!)

Until next time, Peace.

Chris Jensen-Soto

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3786598/