The Baby Cries - Directing the Rehearsal

(from left Mario J. Novoa, DP Dan Cotreau and Actor Miriam Peniche. Photo by Sacha Barry) 

Learning from previous experiences and allowing enough prep time, I wanted to really pursue the art of cinema from a different vantage point. My primary goals were to allow the actors the space to explore the location we would be shooting in. This would allow the actors to see how best to use and take ownership of their domain. My other goal was to understand how best to use the camera in that same space. I've learned from master filmmakers that allowing yourself to explore the film frame and the performance, will give you the opportunity to shoot what you envisioned. Taking the time for several runs, we began to feel a rhythm for the action within the space. I was able to see all the opportunities.

Another opportunity for rehearsal is between set-ups. Under a gun ("budget and time"), you'll find ways to be creative. 

PRE-PRODUCTION | Table Reading for The Baby Cries

A talented cast and crew embarked on a table reading for The Baby Cries. The Baby Cries is a short film comedy based on a stage play I wrote for CASA 0101's The Brown and Out Theater Festival this year. It is a story of a gay couple raising their newborn daughter and the chaos that ensues when the traditional Catholic Salvadoran grandparents show up. The talented Cast includes: Martin Morales, Miriam Peniche, Matt Pascua and MJ Silva.

As the writer/producer/director of the film, it is a proud moment to see the "baby" come alive. The play version generated a lot interest and praise from the audience, and it was great to hear how well people connected to the story. Time and time again people would tell me how they identified with each character - people from all walks of life: gay, straight, male and female. When writing the piece, there was a part of me that wanted the characters to be identifiable with anyone and people did indeed connect to the story of family, tradition and the insecurities of raising a family.

At the table read we discussed story, character motivation, speech and dialogue. The cast is invested in portraying their character with a finite sense of honesty, and as a director I could't be happier. Martin, Miriam, Matt and MJ came into the reading wanting to know more and how best to emote for camera. When you have a cast engaged in the process you realize how deep their own motivations are as actors. How could a director not love working with actors?

In the next few weeks we'll undertake on make up and camera tests that will lead us to our day of production. For now, the actors will have to prepare for their roles for the camera, awaiting the day "action" is called.

The Baby Cries - Production Design and Performance

I took these photos of the location during our preproduction of the film The Baby Cries, to help get a sense of coverage. This is the hardest part for a director sometimes, because you have intuitively know where to get your best shots. Sometimes your intuition can work against you, and you end up with bad shots. This is always frustrating. I've learned to experiment in pre-production and production, and find the best shots that conveys story, color, design and most importantly, allows the actors to do their best.

When I took this random photo in pre-production, I rewrote a scene between the grandparents in which they talked about their relationship with their son. I loved that we could see across the Silver Lake Reservoir in L.A. I didn't know if we could pull it off, especially with the lenses that we were working with. Although during production we had a limited amount of time, I went back and reshot the scene again with actors Martin Morales and Miriam Peniche. This time we achieved the shot I wanted and was pleased with the outcome.

One of the things I try to be conscious of as a filmmaker, is that we are taking full advantage of the location we are shooting in. I've worked on numerous projects where the director forgets to use the location as character, and ends up cutting out the beauty of the location. The use of close up shots seems to dominate the logic in post, although I argue that with cinema, location is everything...and performance.

Silhouette of Martin and Miriam.

Los Gritos de Bebé: Pre-Producción

Tomando Los Gritos del bebé del escenario a la pantalla tiene algunos retos fantásticos. Anoche tuve una gran sesión con Diseño de Producción y Actor Martin Morales con respecto a la mirada de los gritos del bebé. Durante dos semanas he estado discutiendo lentes y cámaras con el director de fotografía Dan Cotreau y tratando de encontrar una mirada para la película. Esta es la primera vez como director que me he acercado a una película desde una perspectiva de diseño de producción y Martin tenido algunas grandes ideas. Escuché con atención y lo imaginé las ideas significarían en el ámbito de un marco de película.





Escuché por el medio ambiente de la habitación, el color en el ámbito de la emoción y el uso de la luz para transmitir un paso del tiempo. Entre el diseño de producción y la cinematografía, hay elementos, ideas y diseño que se superponen. Como director Trato de escuchar lo que la gente está trayendo a la mesa para que yo pueda dejar a crear dentro de la visión que tengo. Mi enfoque principal es siempre acerca de la actuación frente a la cámara, así que espero que todos los elementos que estamos creando ahora están bien definidos antes de entrar en producción. A medida que más colaboradores saltar a bordo, tengo ganas de orquestar una historia sincera sobre la familia y el amor.

The Baby Cries: In Pre-Production Mode

Taking The Baby Cries from stage to screen has some fantastic challenges. Last night I had a great session with Production Design and Actor Martin Morales regarding the look of The Baby Cries. For two weeks I've been discussing lenses and cameras with Director of Photography Dan Cotreau and trying to find a look for the film. This is the first time as Director that I've approached a film from a production design perspective and Martin had some great ideas. I listened intently and pictured what the ideas would mean in the scope of a film frame.

I heard about the environment of the room, the color in the scope of emotion and using light to convey a passage of time. Between production design and cinematography, there are elements, ideas and design that overlap. As a director I try to listen to what people are bringing to the table so that I can let them create within the vision I have. My main approach is always about the performance in front of the camera, so I hope that all the elements we are creating now are well defined before we get into production. As more collaborators jump on board, I look forward to orchestrating a heartfelt story about family and love.

Adelante Article on L.A. A Queer History

http://adelantemagazine.com/2014/11/latino-filmmakers-digup-l-a-queerstory/

Latino Filmmakers DigUp L.A. Queerstory

Posted on 02 November 2014 by Adelante

Latino Filmmakers DigUp L.A. Queerstory
By Joseph R. Castel

Filmmakers Gregorio Davila and Mario J. Novoa have been working for two years on L.A. A Queer History, a monumentaldocumentary that highlights 100 years of prominent Los Angeles LGBT pioneer activists that helped shape the gay movement. Recently at a ceremony, the film duo was honored by Mayor Eric Garcetti with a Certificate of Recognition from the City of Los Angeles.

Adelante sat down with Novoa to discuss the importance of thislandmark film and its 2015 release.

Adelante: Haven’t there been other films that document the gay movement here in LA?

Novoa: There are some documentaries like “Celluloid Closet” that covered a segment of Hollywood/L.A. LGBT history, but our film covers the geography and culture from the perspective of people who had to hide in the shadows to exist. Our narrative focuses on those immigrants/emigrants in Los Angeles, and how they participated in the larger L.A. community.

Some of the film’s participants includeRev. Troy Perry, Joey Terrill and Alexei Romanoff.  As activist Nancy Valverde commented, ‘to put your ass on the line, you needed to have huevos.’  These people are my heroes. They have made a difference in my world perspective, my heart and mind.

Adelante: When would you say the L.A. LGBT movement began?

Novoa: On the heels of American World War II celebrations came an awakening of identity for many minorities who had participated in the war and could no longer live in silence and deal with discrimination. LGBT people were also in the midst of that awakening.People like Harry Hay created The Mattachine Society tohelp shed light on the rights of gay men.

Adelante: What prompted you to do this film?

Novoa: I am a storyteller more than an activist, and this is a way that I could affect change. This film is meant to inspire young LGBT people to discover their past.

Adelante: Tell me about your other projects.

Novoa: Gay Latino Los Angeles: Coming of Age was my first documentary released last year. Professionally my focus has been to produce educational documentaries and feature narratives revolving around Latino LGBT people, because we still have a lack of representation in education and entertainment.

The film was well received in festivals all over the globe and continues to be screened for various communities in the country. Young people have written and spoken to us about how this film has helped them with their identity and esteem.

My short play, The Baby Cries has been performed in L.A. and Dublin, Ireland. The comedic story centers on a Gay Latino couple raising their newborn daughter, while mending their own relationships with their parents.

The Baby Cries short film is currently in the festival submission stage and will be going live on YouTube and Vimeo by the end of the year. A feature version is in the works as well as a web series. (http://thebabycries.blogspot.com)

Adelante: Does your family support what you are doing?

Novoa: Yes, they are invested in my career. My parents would have rather I’d chosen medicine, but they love what I do.

Adelante: I know you and Gregorio are a two manproduction team, but are there any advisorsfor the film?

Novoa: Associate Professor Chris Freeman of Gender Studies at the University of Southern California is our advisor and we have many supporters like ONE Archives and activist Roland Palencia.

Adelante: What is your ultimate goal with the film? 

Novoa: We’ve already begun sharing part of our film as a short, centered on the Nancy Valverde story called, “Nancy From Eastside Clover.” It was selected this year at QFilms Long Beach and The Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.

Ultimately, we’d like it to be aired on PBS or HBO and be part of the LGBT history curriculum in high schools and universities.

Adelante: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Novoa: My hope is that Latino audiences will welcome this film as they would a long lost family member. We have much to understand from one another, and I hope this film creates that dialogue in our families and communities.

Donations for “L.A. A Queer History” can be made on its website atlaaqueerhistory.com. Follow them on Twitter: twitter.com/QueerLa or like them on Facebook:facebook.com/pages/LA-A-Queer-History/169369526573867?ref=hl