On Sunday, April 5, we had a local screening of our short “Soledad Is Gone Forever” at the San Francisco Women’s Film Festival. Isabel Allende, the world famous author attended the screening of “Isabel Allende,”an enlightening documentary about her life. Brava Theatre was packed and filled with vibrant energy. Isabel and I shared the stage after the screening and had a wonderful Q&A. I have been in a state of great inspiration ever since and can’t wait to start preproduction of “Soledad’s Awakening”.
See pics at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mabelvaldiviezo

We just finished a new draft of Soledad’s Awakening. It is a great day for me and Cesar Viana Teague , my co-writer. We went over every scene and piece of dialogue that needed work. At times, when I felt a character wasn’t resolving, I would ask my dreams to tell me what to do. And my subconscious would actually answer with a whole scene! Cesar also came up with very visual ideas and dialogue that make our scenes and characters more compelling and dimensional.

Now the whole film feels like a truly political thriller with moody tones, gothic scapes and surreal nightmares.
I can’t wait to test some of the key scenes with the fine actors from the Directing Actors Workshop I am attending.

See the location and color palette/mood ideas for Soledad’s Awakening at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mabelvaldiviezo