Long week in Los Organos

Sorry for the late post – it’s been a killer week here in Los Organos. This is probably our most difficult location – logistically and physically.

We hike in every day – sometimes straight up the sides of the hills – to reach our shooting spots – but what a spot it is. The endless towering rock formations give this place not only a unique look but a powerful visual anchor for our settings. Of course our Art Department created another amazing set – the Cristeros Headquarters – right in the middle of the most impressive valley. When you look at it through the camera lens – it’s simply breathtaking.

Some of the scenes placed here are meant to establish the growing and more experienced Cristero army under General Gorostieta’s command – but a number of them are set here in order to reach the heart of our characters and show how the war is affecting them and binding them all together.

Andy, Santiago, Oscar and Mauricio have all had some real wonderful moments that in actuality are more important to the film than all of the battles combined.

I have to give my enthusiastic thanks to the entire crew who’ve had to trek in and out carrying all types of equipment: cameras, props, guns, cranes, dolly’s, lights, video gear, support stuff – everything – much of it back-breaking and exhausting – and they’ve worked so fast we actually ended up getting (slightly) ahead of schedule. It’s unbelievable. And the rest of the crew who work hours before and after call – getting the horses ready, the cast set up with makeup, wardrobe and props – transportation up and running, production facilities – the list goes on and on – it takes a real army to pull this off. Thank goodness we’ve got one of the best in the world.

One more day here on Monday – then we’re all off to San Luis Potosi and into the night shift again. This schedule is relentless and unforgiving – but everyone is killing themselves because we all know this is a special movie – and we’re not going to let up until we’ve made it the best.

More soon – and hopefully sooner!

Dean