Toñita Runs Away: Preview Stills

Synopsis:


After being scolded one too many times, mischievous Toñita runs away from home. While on the road, she meets another little girl and together they embark on a frolic through the Mexican countryside. On their way to the rodeo, their fun is interrupted by a gang of bullies and what looks like a covered corpse in the middle of the road.


Shot on super 8mm film and on location at San Antonio de las Minas and Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California Mexico.


All photos property of Dizzydent Films.  All rights reserved.

Production Journal: Prequel film stills

Living in Los Angeles forced me to find the beauty in everything. This practice became a tool to keep my sanity. It’s not easy. Almost everything in this city is ugly, dirty, mean and difficult.

Production Journal (Prequel): The promise of something great.

What a relief. I just received my processed super 8 film. Safe and sound. One less thing to be anxious about.


Now I have to deal with the anticipation and the excitement. What exactly did I capture on film? I won’t know until Saturday when I telecine. The wait is killing me, but I must be a masochist because it’s also exhilarating. I guess this is why I love shooting film and not video. With video, it’s right there in front of you. There are no surprises. You know pretty much what you’re getting.

It seems I’m always trying to relive the moment when I made my first print in the darkroom. Sliding the piece of paper in the tray filled with Dektol and seeing the image slowly appear was one of the most exciting moments of my life.

Perhaps I cling to film because it has always had within it the promise of something great. So I will continue to shoot film until they take it away from me.


“You want to make a film? Steal a camera, steal film stock, sneak in to a lab and do it." - Werner Herzog, from Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe

Learn to shoot on super 8. Check.

I've always wanted to shoot on super 8 but never got around to it because I've been making films on super 16 for years.  Until today that is.  Here are some screenshots of what I did today. I will write more about my experience later. Right now my pup requires my undivided attention.

Have a lovely evening.