Adding Sugar to Blood
Shooting Notes for Sweet Blood
By Julian Lara
Independent film-making in Spain is not an easy thing. I've been making my shorts and feature films on a very low budget basis, independently, because sadly there's not any show business in Spain, there may be successful filmmakers -and most of them are friend of mine- but they also began like me, until a wise producer put the eye on them. I guess that's what's going to happen to me someday, I'm feeling it very close to me, however I feel it sometimes closer to me in Los Angeles more than in my country, that's why I like to come so often to the United States.
But talking about my latest short film, "Sweet Blood", this time I wanted to do what I haven't done before: only a couple of actors in only one location... and with no blood. Oh my god, I just hope my fans don't get mad at me. I, who always used and abused of the blood on the screen, and guts as well... Needless to say, that after zombies and monsters I tried to make some different, I love blood, but I needed to test myself not using it. Well, you got it on the title and the poster design, ok?
In this famous period of worldwide crisis, I wasn't going to be at home thinking about making my new movie, no, I was going to make it, no matter what it takes. Then I hit the streets looking for sponsors who would support the production budget, and that's what I did.
The first thing was to get involved a celebrity who could give some relevance to the movie, that's how I got Rafael Amargo, my vampire slayer. He's a worldwide recognized choreographer and flamenco dancer, a successful man all over the world, yeah, a celebrity. Of course he acted for free to me because we're good friends, and I'm very grateful to him.
Then we had to get a hot vampire, mostly because I felt it was mandatory, then I reminded a young and sexy friend of us who was in the Actor's Academy of my city, Seville. In the beginning she was a bit nervous because she had to show her breasts, but in the end she did it all right, indeed, you could think she used to do it everyday and everywhere!
Of course, another very important thing, specially when talking about the vampires are the fangs. Fortunately I had the solution at home because my wife is a dental technician, and she spends all days making teeth, so, what about a couple more of fangs for me? No problem, and fortunately for her she could be the only one who could get paid...but never in cash.
Besides my wife, sometimes you can get your staff and crew for free (which is highly recommended), and remember, if it's not free it must be cheap.
However, at least, you must feed them all, and this can be a lot of money. But it should be another problem solved if you know how to handle the situation. I got it for free from the restaurant where I use to go with my friends. I just asked for help... and they gave us a hand... and a lot of food and drink, and they asked for nothing in exchange... that's lovely.
After a few years and movies, I can give the better advise to these young filmmakers who want to make their own movies: trust yourself.
Finally, if you all want to take a look to our vampire experience about how we made our short, you can take a look to a documentary that was aired on La Sexta, which is a national Spanish television. You can see it on youtube. Please, take a look at it and see how we did the shorin a weekend, mostly to schedule our celebrity friend's needs, who is always very busy. If you want to learn more about me, visit my official web site: www.julianlara.com