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Aztek Studio News

6/30/2016

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The Team

Our producing partner Veronica Salas has stepped down from her role to take care of personal matters but has offered her help if we ever need it. We wish her the best.

We recently welcomed a new member to the team, Joel Tejada. Veronica, Sandra and I met Joel while we were all making student films at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, CA and we've been friends and collaborators ever since.
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Joel Tejada
Wedding Gig

I stopped doing videography a few years ago to focus on making narratives but we made an exception for our friends Shasha and Dennis and shot their wedding this past weekend.

​Congratulations to the newlyweds! Thank you for having us, it was an honor!

Pre-wedding prep day. Our friend Shasha asked us if we'd film her wedding. Tomorrow's the big day! #aztekstudioproductions

A photo posted by Aztek Studio (@aztekstudiofilms) on Jun 23, 2016 at 6:53pm PDT

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Screenshot
Super Gabby

It has been nearly a year since principal photography started on Super Gabby. For those who don't know, we were unable to complete the short due to unforeseen circumstances we ran into on set but we managed to shoot enough footage for a teaser trailer and some proof of concept scenes to relaunch our fundraising efforts to finish the project. However, this time around we're aiming for a feature length film version of the story after the production team and I deemed the story too ambitious for a short film.

I am currently in the process of writing and extending the screenplay and we intend to bring back the original cast.

We are happy to announce that the teaser trailer is complete and will officially premiere at Pictoclik's Latinas in Cinema Film Festival on July 23rd, 2016 (info below).

Our illustrator, Chris Shannon Jr, who illustrated some posters used in the film and Gabby's favorite comic book heroine, Scorpion Girl, is currently working on new designs for our promotional materials.

Pictoclik Presents Latinas in Cinema Film Festival

From pictoclik.com:

Join us as we celebrate Latinas in Cinema July 23rd at Delancey Street Theater. Showcase includes short films from around the world featuring a strong Latina on screen or behind the scenes in a key position.
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2016 Lineup
​“Parable” Diana Rodriguez | Sci-Fi Thriller
“Stranger Danger” Annique Arredondo | Comedy
“Mercedes: Portrait of Street Sweeper” Amie Williams | Documentary
“Couch Potato Chronicles” Lainnie Felan | Sci-Fi Comedy
“Otto” Sinhué Benavides | Mystery Suspense
“Vici”
 Johnny Kirk | Drama
A portion of all of our showcase ticket sales go towards a local feature project in development and to foster growth in the film community. Our featured filmmaker/producer Sandra Lopez will be using the funds raised for her feature Super Gabby.

Doors open at 6pm for the pre-party

General Admission Tickets includes one drink ticket at the pre-party, keepsake program book. 
Click to buy: Pre-sale $25  |  Early Bird $30  |  Reg Price $40

​VIP Ticket includes two drink tickets at the pre-party, RSVP seating, keepsake program book and official poster.  
Click to buy: Pre-sale $35
  |  Early Bird $40  |  Reg Price $50
And that's all for now, thanks for checking us out!

Until next time,
​
Adrian Nava
​Writer/Director
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Aztek Studio News

3/31/2016

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Latest News

We returned to Wilson's Dance Studio in Pittsburg, CA this past weekend to shoot an interview with owner Hannah Wilson. We were joined by our friend and fellow filmmaker Joel Tejada as a camera operator and lights were again provided by FloLight representative Kyle Black. Everything went smooth and we couldn't have asked for a better shoot.
Super Gabby

• Actress Noemi Lopez, who was cast as "Tía," stopped by recently to record voiceovers for the teaser trailer.

• Trailer premiere announcement coming soon!

• We will be relaunching fundraising efforts in the near future to finish the film. 

• I wrote Super Gabby as a short but the production team and I agreed that the story works better for a feature length film instead. I am currently outlining the feature film screenplay version.
Pictoclik Showcase: Latinas in Cinema – San Francisco

I am a major proponent of women in front and behind the camera – especially women of color – so I am very excited about this event.

​Event date: Sunday, July 10, 2016

Mark your calendar and/or submit your film(s)!
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Submission Criteria 

• Accepting submissions from January 1st, 2015-May 15th, 2016.  
• Film should have a minimum length of 4 minutes; not to exceed 30 minutes.
• Film can be any genre.
• Must have one Latina in a leading role on screen or one Latina behind the scenes in a key role to be accepted.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Hard copies can also be mailed to: Pictoclik, Attention: Rebekah Renne 77 Van Ness Ave #101-1913 San Francisco, CA 94102
• Cost to submit is $5   


Awards & Prizes (If Selected)

• The top six to eight films (decided by team of industry professionals) will be screened at a theater in San Francisco during a one day event.
​• If film is selected to screen at the Pictoclik Film Festival, the filmmaker that submitted the film will receive two complimentary tickets to the screening.*  


*Does not include airfare, lodging or transportation. Two tickets to the event only.

Hope to see you there!

Instagram

Follow us on Instagram!
​@aztekstudiofilms

Filming an interview #wilsonsdancestudio #pittsburgca

A photo posted by Aztek Studio (@aztekstudiofilms) on Mar 29, 2016 at 4:28am PDT

Thanks for checking us out and keeping up with us! 

Hasta la próxima,

Adrian Nava
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What's New

2/3/2016

4 Comments

 
Howdy,

Thank you for keeping up with our blog or checking it out for the first time. Let's get to it!

Aztekgram


We are now on Instagram!
​@aztekstudiofilms

Aztek Studio crew back in action #dancevideo #blackmagicdesign #ursamini #wilsonsdancestudio #pittsburgca

A photo posted by Aztek Studio (@aztekstudiofilms) on Feb 1, 2016 at 6:48am PST


​Recent Events


We recently shot a dance video directed by Aztek Studio producer Veronica Salas at Wilson's Dance Studio in Pittsburg, California starring the studio's owner, Hannah Wilson.

The video was shot on a Blackmagic URSA Mini and we had a FloLight representative on site who provided the lighting equipment.

The fog machine we borrowed did not work and I made a joke of using the FloLight rep's electric cigarette vaporizer, well that's exactly what we ended up using along with Hannah's husband's vaporizer to "smoke" up the scene. They had the entire room smelling like Skittles. Hey, sometimes you have to improvise on set to solve problems. Fun times.


We wrapped the shoot with an interview with Hannah and called it a day.
Pictoclik Events

In the last post, I shared news that Sandra and I had become Pictoclik board members.

​We invite filmmakers, actors and film lovers to visit pictoclik.com to learn more about workshops and events in the Bay Area geared toward both actors and filmmakers for learning and networking opportunities.

Have a short film idea? Pictoclik wants to be an Executive Producer this year and award one lucky filmmaker $1500 to create a short film:

PITCH TANK: FILMMAKER EDITION
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You can also submit your film(s) to the following:

PICTOCLIK SHOWCASE: LATINAS IN CINEMA


PICTOCLIK SHOWCASE: BATTLE OF THE FILM SCHOOLS

4TH ANNUAL PICTOCLIK FILM FESTIVAL
The Rage Short Film Kickstarter
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The Rage crew is quite close to meeting their budget goal for their psychological thriller short film! The screenplay is written by our talented friend and Super Gabby actor L. Jeffrey Moore who will also be producing and acting in the film. Check out their Kickstarter campaign and please consider donating and/or sharing!

At the time of writing this, they announced a new stretch goal and new rewards for contributors.

​Your Film Recommendations

Have you seen any really good, bad or so-bad-it's-good films recently? Mainstream, indie, obscure, whatever, comment below and share. I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Alright, that's it for this one, folks. Thanks!

Viva el arte,

Adrian Nava
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New Year

1/26/2016

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Happy New Year, everyone!

We had our first meeting of the year recently and Super Gabby is going to keep us busy for quite awhile but we also have various new projects planned which I will share news about in upcoming posts.

Pictoclik

Rebekah Renne, the President and Founder of Pictoclik in San Francisco, reached out to local filmmakers, including Aztek Studio producer Sandra and myself, with an awesome pitch to become board members.

What is Pictoclik? It's a film festival but it's also more than that. From the Pictoclik website: Pictoclik is a collective for filmmakers, talent and movie lovers alike. Founded in 2012, our goal is to unite  emerging and established industry professionals through fun and engaging events, workshops, screenings and our annual film festival. 

How could we pass up the opportunity to be part of such a great organization that truly represents the core values of what we love to do? I am proud to announce that Sandra and I are now Pictoclik board members and we invite all to visit pictoclik.com to learn more about workshops and events in the Bay Area geared toward both actors and filmmakers for learning and networking opportunities.
YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR FILM(S) TO THESE PICTOCLIK EVENTS NOW:
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Pictoclik Showcase: Latina Fest

Battle of the Film Schools
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Pictoclik Film Festival
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The Rage

Our friend and Super Gabby actor 
L. Jeffrey Moore is currently seeking crowdfunding on Kickstarter for a short film he wrote titled The Rage.

"The Rage is a psychological thriller about relationships and the choices we make when we are angry."

​Please click here or the image to visit their Kickstarter page and check out their campaign. Browse the rewards and consider donating!
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Thank You

That's it for now, keeping this one short. Thank you for your continued interest in our projects and for all your support. Look out for the next post!

Until next time,

Adrian Nava

P.S. Planning to revamp the website soon!
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Take Five: Shortz! Film Festival Chico, CA

9/18/2015

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Take Five has been selected to screen tomorrow – Saturday, September 19th, 2015 – at the Shortz! Film Festival at the El Rey Theater at 230 W. 2nd Street in Chico, California. It is scheduled to screen during the 7 to 8pm fourth block. 

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FILM FEST SCHEDULE

September 18-20, 2015
Friday, Sept. 18th : Doors Open 6:30pm Film Time 7:00pm
Saturday, Sept. 19th : Doors Open 12:30pm Film Time 1:00pm
Sunday, Sept. 20th : Doors Open 1:30pm Film Time 2:00pm

Get your tickets at chicotix.com or at the door
$10/Day or $20 Weekend Pass

For more information contact info@shortzfilmfest.com

Take Five
Action/Comedy 
On a quiet night, a peaceful stranger enters a restroom to find a violent situation unfolding.
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SCREENINGS / AWARDS
• 8th Aspiring Minds Film Festival 2013 Pleasant Hill, CA
- World Premiere (out of competition) 
• Pictoclik Film Festival 2013 San Francisco, CA
- Winner: Judge's Emerging Filmmaker Award
• Las Positas Film Festival 2014 Livermore, CA
• Block n' Roll Film Festival 2015 Oakland, CA
- Official Selection
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Take Five: Block n' Roll Film Festival Oakland, CA

8/24/2015

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Take Five has been selected to screen at the Block n' Roll Film Festival at the historic Grand Lake Theater in Oakland, California, on Wednesday, August 26th, 2015. 

Doors open at 6:30pm, show starts at 7:00pm and runs till 10:00pm.

Click HERE for tickets.

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Take Five
Action/Comedy 
On a quiet night, a peaceful stranger enters a restroom to find a violent situation unfolding.
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SCREENINGS / AWARDS
• 8th Aspiring Minds Film Festival 2013 Pleasant Hill, CA
- World Premiere (out of competition) 
• Pictoclik Film Festival 2013 San Francisco, CA
- Winner: Judge's Emerging Filmmaker Award
• Las Positas Film Festival 2014 Livermore, CA
• Shortz! Film Festival 2015 Chico, CA
- Official Selection
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