Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabel Bacigalupo.
Hi Isabel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a Miami filmmaker. I was born in Peru and came to the US after finishing high school. I studied Fashion Design and Theater and have been part of numerous plays in Miami. When my daughter was born, I stopped participating in plays for several years to be able to spend more time with her finding a new outlet to express my creativity. I started writing screenplays. Over time I have produced, acted and directed two short movies. Currently I have just finished season one of a webisode series called “The Doll from the Box” that I stream on YouTube.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The most challenge I find relates to funding. At the moment my productions are extra low budget. I am able to make my projects happen by sharing the idea with colleagues and having them collaborate if they love the script. It has truly been a labor of love. Another challenge has been COVID-19, I shot half of season one on 2019 and half of it 2020. It was challenging to film during Corona times. We followed all protocols to keep everyone safe. I also became really creative as far as changing the story line to incorporate more outdoor scenes, eliminate characters to have less people on location, eliminating scenes or keeping dialogue to a minimum, also adding more phone and video conversation to the storyline instead of having the actors together. Another way was to have actors record small scenes themselves with their I phones for some scenes to minimize the times we would get together.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have been part of the artistic community for fifteen years in Miami as a multidimensional artist. I co-founded theater group TOP (Theatre of the Oppressed Miami) and during Spring 2011 I participated with the mentioned group as a producer and actress at the Arsht Center of The Performing Arts for the Miami Made Festival. My first short film “The Penny” which I wrote, directed and also contributed as an actress was part of the Miami Short Film Festival 2011, under the section of upcoming local talent. It also won the Audience Award for Best Short at the Ft. Lauderdale Red Eye Film Festival. My second short film “Baggage” which I directed, produced and wrote was an official selection at the Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival, screened in March 2016. It was also selected as one of the films for the Palm Spring ShortFest Market as part of the Festival of June 2016. In 2017 it also became an official selection at the HavanaFama Short Film Festival. Most recently it was selected by PBS for the TV show Filmmaker and aired on PBS March 2018 made possible by The National Endowment for the Arts. My short stories have been published in books and online publications such as Antología Poetas y Narradores Del 2012. And published in El Dorado Online Magazine. This year my short story, Memories of a Mango Tree, was selected to be printed in O, Miami – Waterproof: An Anthology About the Miami We Love by Jai-Alai Books. Currently my webisode series “The Doll from the Box” which I directed, wrote and produced streams on YouTube. The short film version of the mentioned series was an official selection for WRPN TV Short, Tight and Loose Global Film Festival Competition 2020, winning Exceptional Merit.
EDUCATION Associate Degree, Fashion Design, MDC. Theater Certificate, Prometeo Theater Group, MDC. Theater Certificate, Actor’s Arena Theater Group, MDC. FILM PRODUCTION AWARDS The Doll from the Box Official Selection and Exceptional Merit, WRPN TV Short, Tight and Loose Global Film Festival Competition 2020. Baggage Official Selection, International Women’s Film Festival, Los Angeles, CA 2016. Official Selection, Miami Independent Film Festival, Miami 2016. Official Selection, HavanaFama Short Film Festival, Miami, FL 2017. Official Selection for airing for Filmmaker/PBS TV Show and Mentorship. 2018. The Penny Official Selection and Audience Award for Best Short Film, Ft. Lauderdale Red Eye Film Festival 2012. PUBLICATIONS Short story, Lluvia Serrana published in Antología Poetas y Narradores Del 2012. And published in El Dorado Online Magazine. Short story, Memories of a Mango Tree, recently accepted to be printed in O, Miami – Waterproof: An Anthology About the Miami We Love. Jai-Alai Books. AWARDS Best upcoming Fashion Designer. MDC. Honors Day Student for Theater Program (Prometeo). MDC. LINKS IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4673932/ WRITING BLOG https://almostfortyconversationswithmyself.blogspot.com/ •Trailers of short film Baggage (Writer, Director, Producer, Actor) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTtEjHJyQc0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v0QkU4Lt3A •PBS Promo – Filmmaker show for Baggage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op71y7jycxE •IMDB page of short film Baggage http://m.imdb.com/title/tt4224706/?ref_=m_nmfmd_prd_1%20%20(IMDb%20for%20my%20short%20film%20Baggage) •IMDB page of short film The Penny (Writer, Producer, Actor) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2058713/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_3
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Telling stories has been my life; I’ve been doing it since I was little before I decided to put it on paper. What was a pastime becoming my daily passion. The way I vividly saw it in my head led me to realize film and television were the mediums I most desired. As a filmmaker I want to show Latino characters fully integrated in an ethnically diverse American society, where their background doesn’t become a judgment issue. And as a result having stereotypes of Hispanics diminished. Bringing opportunities to the South Florida Community of filmmakers is also a dream of mine. I wish to see South Florida as a continuous vibrant film community where artists can proudly make a living doing what they love. There is an increased need for content in the rapidly growing television and cinematic markets, and independent cinema is one of the key providers. By combining fresh talent with seasoned film professionals, my goal is to create projects that will flourish both creatively and financially. My stories come with the message to follow our dreams, live your life fully no matter the outcome. Move forward always in spite of obstacles with hope. Success should not dictate your life choices, personal growth and professional satisfaction should. Not only to follow a dream but because is our obligation to share the gifts we possess with the world.
Contact Info:
- Email: isabaci7@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/thedollfromthebox/?hl=en
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabaci7/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isa.baci7
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbiiERMEn2-5yPIYXPg4o8Q/playlists
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJPlScN93W0NJBpQiBWZcGg
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