Questions w/ Moira Taylor

The Makeup/Hair Artist

1) Tell about yourself in exactly twenty words.

I can do it in just one word. COLORFUL!

2) How did you get involved in ‘A Note to Etienne’?

I got involved with 'A Note to Etienne' because I had previously worked with almost the entire crew before on past projects such as 'Hopelessy In June' and 'Solo The Series'. I loved the time that I spent on those sets and would jump at the chance to work with them again!

3) Have you ever worked on a foreign film before? What was it like working on a french film? Write something in French (without looking it up!)

I had never worked on a foreign film before working on 'A Note to Etienne.' It was amazing to work with the French speaking actors because the language is so beautiful. When filming, I didn't know exactly what they were saying but the actors were so incredibly talented that I was able to understand the dialogue through their emotions and actions.

4) What project(s) are you working on next?

As a freelance makeup artist it is so hard to know what my future endeavors will be. Although I have been working less on sets and more with individual clients lately which is super sad because I love the energy of movie sets!

5) What's one talent we'd be surprised you're able to do?

I don't really know if this qualifies as a talent but I'm pretty incredible at playing Flip Cup. :D

Questions w/ Gilberto Vega

The Production Designer

1) Tell about yourself in exactly twenty words.

My name is Gilberto Vega, I am from Tucson, AZ and I have lived in LA for almost 7 years.

2) How did you get involved in ‘A Note to Etienne’?

I got involved with the film through Allison, the producer. She emailed me and asked if I would be interested.

3) Have you ever worked on a foreign film before? What was it like working on a french film? Write something in French (without looking it up!)

-Is this a foreign film? I thought the definition of a foreign film is a film that is shot in another country by local residents? Or a film shot in the crews' native language. As opposed to a film shot in another language regardless of location or the crews' native tongue. I don't know. But no, I've only worked on US films shot in English.

-Working on a French film was fun. I enjoyed my job in making the film appear "French."

-Paté

4) What project(s) are you working on next?

At this moment I am finishing up a music video.

5) What's the strangest item you own (clothing, toy, furniture, etc.)?

A sword.

Questions w/ Jorge Urbina

The Director of Photography

1) Tell about yourself in exactly twenty words.

I'm a dreamer, a wanderer with a goal to make movies. Someone strings them together, I analyze and then wonder.

2) How did you get involved in ‘A Note to Etienne’?

That's a good question. I got in involved through probably the best way to get involved with a project. It all started through conversations about Eli's story. Eli sent me the script, I read it and then we just talked about it. I was unaware that he was pushing to shoot it and before I knew it, we started to nail down shooting dates, etc. It's hard for me to explain but think of it like a couple of people just actively planning a trip to vegas. I hope that makes sense. My point is my involvement just happened naturally. I don't think I answered the question...

3) Have you ever worked on a foreign film before? What was it like working on a french film? Write something in French (without looking it up!)

Yes, I have worked on a foreign film before and I prefer those types of projects over english language or domestic US films or however you would classify it. It was a personal journey and I am referring to the question on what is was like working on a french film. I find these types of projects more intimate and enduring in my opinion. Having an opportunity to work on a foreign film or the experience of it to me is like having an intimate encounter with a woman from a foreign country...its strange but yet all the famaliar aspects of being physcial are the same making it a much more intense...if you don't know what I am talking about watch The Red Ballon (Lamorisse) or La Haine (Kassovitz) or Day For Night (Truffaut)....then get back to me...something in French..."cuo meck da flue bac!!!" Lol!

4) What project(s) are you working on next?

Ooo...that is a tough one...uh...I take it back...none right now...I have some personally projects I would like to develop...I might be shooting a spanish language feature in los angeles in the fall, hopefully it doesn't fall through....

5) If you could be any person for just one day, who would it be, and why?

My father...would you like know... ;)

Questions w/ Joslyn Sifuentes

The Costume Designer

1) Tell about yourself in exactly twenty words.

I am a New Mexican and those from New Mexico are probably the only ones who will understand this term.

2) How did you get involved in ‘A Note to Etienne’?

It was by accident, Eli had asked if I could assist in casting his film since I had been managing actors for several years. While helping Eli cast his film, we were brainstorming on the style of the characters. The brainstorming developed into my involvement as the costume designer.

3) Have you ever worked on a foreign film before? What was it like working on a french film? Write something in French (without looking it up!)

I have worked on a forgeign documentary for the BBC as a Set Dresser. I spent the whole entire time in 110 + degree heat for a couple of weeks it was torturous!

It was fun working on a French film because you could take the wardrobe to another level. The French wear clothing that fit their personality so there is a lot of thought into their look but at the same time it is very effortless and natural. Because the characters were French, I was able to play a lot more with color, textures, patterns, and accessories. It was very playful and whimsical!

As my cousin would say,"Yes I speak French... Champaign!"

4) What project(s) are you working on next?

I will be working again with Eli Benavidez on his next short tentatively entitled, A Boy's Life.

5) If you could watch one TV show for the rest of your life, what would it be? Why?

The Cosby Show hands down and do watch it quite often!

Since we’ve gotten in the groove with the festival circuit, we really wanted to create a screener label that’s not only informative, but great to look at. Designer Patrick Thomassie created this design and I can’t wait to send these DVDs out!

Questions w/ Allison Vanore

The Producer

1) Tell about yourself in exactly twenty words.

Storyteller of all types. Particular about logistics but able to toss it all to the wind and have fun. Wink.

2) How did you get involved in ‘A Note to Etienne’?

I have known and worked with the director, Eli, for quite a few years. We both attended UofA and we worked together at the campus television station, UATV. When Eli began developing scripts and getting excited about shooting again I was definitely enthusiastic about being involved. Eli is a great writer and so much fun to be around and work with that it was a given. When Eli asked me to produce I said yes right away.

3) Have you ever worked on a foreign film before? What was it like working on a french film? Write something in French.

I haven't worked on a foreign film before however I've worked on films with no dialogue and so this production was a lot like that for me. With most films and with good actors you don't even need to know what it is they are saying specifically to get the feeling and the impact of what is happening in a scene. Isabelle and Lukas were so telling in their delivery, their expressions, their pauses, their eyes, that I didn't need to understand the words.

4) What project(s) are you working on next?

I'm currently finishing production on a feature romantic comedy Hopelessly in June, I'm about to jump back into production on webseries, SOLO The Series, and I'm working with Eli on a new short film, A Boy's Life. All super exciting projects - can't wait to share them with the world!

5) What fictional character are you most like and why?

Out of all fictional characters ever, across all mediums, times and genres?! Leave it to you to ask such a difficult question! Mary Poppins. She comes in, organizes everything, pulls the things you need out of a big bag and then, when that's all in order, you can finally have fun!

Posters and Progress

Yes, I know. Two months have gone by without an inkling of a progress update. Sure, I could blame it on the 12-hour job I’ve been so fervently working at, or I could just own up to my epic failure and apologize. Sorry for my momentary absence.

That being said, I just wanted to fill you in on all of the juicy progress. We’re entirely wrapped with post-production on the short, and we’ve even screened it to quite a few audiences, and the film has been welcomed enthusiastically!

As far as festivals are going, we’ve submitted to the first eight, and we have ten more festivals looming just around the corner. By the end of the year, we should have 30 festival screeners submitted and, with hope, many acceptances.

For those of you on the ‘Etienne’ team, I haven’t forgot about you at all. We’re in the process of creating DVDs just for you, and I’d like to have a private screening once the dust has settled.

In the meantime, I’d love your opinion on which poster design you like best. If there’s anything about the poster that you think needs altering, I’d love to hear from you. Poster designer, Geo Herrera, would love feedback as well!

POSTER DESIGNS

Poster Design #1: Pink cursive font

Poster Design #2: Maroon/Mustard Yellow papyrus font

Poster Design #3: Maroon/turqoise papyrus font