Ribbons

DP/Editor/Colorist: Jason R. Johnston
Director: Marcela Cantú Serrano
Shot on Sony PXW-FS7 Mark II with SLR Magic APO HyperPrime Cine aspherical lenses in 2 days.

I served as Director of Photography / Cinematographer on this cute dramatic comedy short film written and directed by Marcela Cantú Serrano and produced by Laura Lilia Torres. Filmed over a two-day production period after Christmas 2018, with pre-production taking up most of that December, and post-production lasting from January to April 2019.

Most of the Camera, Sound, and G&E equipment, is mine. We had a great crew working their tails off behind the scenes and the whole production couldn’t have happened in two days if it weren’t for them. Special shout out to my gaffer/key grip Bull Sanchez for whom we helped invent what I christened the Bullbangi – a camera offset arm comprised of a matthellini clamp, some apple boxes and sandbags, and a ratchet tie down strap – a simple DIY device which made the final shot of the film possible.

Filmed on my lovely Sony PXW-FS7 Mark II in S-Log3/S-Gamut3.cine with SLR Magic primes. I believe I shot the entire film with the 25mm T2.9 and only one shot uses the 85mm T2.9 lens.

Post-production was done entirely with the latest version of Apple Final Cut Pro X, with the latest version Apple Motion completing a difficult post camera stabilization job.

Official Synopsis

Lucy is a high school junior who dreams of attending the Sadie Hawkins dance with Tomás, a classmate who keeps to himself and sits behind her in Spanish class. After devising a way to get his attention, the two strike up a flirtatious friendship. Days later, Lucy finally works up the courage to ask him to the dance, only to have her worst fear come true. From then on, Lucy is unable to face Tomás, making their time during class unbearable for them both… that is, until Lucy learns something about Tomás that allows her to see him, and her own pain, in a different light.

Ribbons was shot at Saint Joseph’s Academy in Brownsville, Texas, over the course of two days in December of 2018. With a predominantly Latinx cast and crew, this film strives to be a reminder that even in this time of uncertainty and fear, one thing remains the same: love.

Accolades

• Best of Fests, February 2020 – Event Info
• Women In Film Dallas, 2019 Topaz Film Festival: Winner, Best of Texas
• Take It Easy Film Festival Official Selection, May 2019: Short Dramedy
• Independent Shorts Awards, May 2019: Gold Award: Best Children Short
• Oaxaca FilmFest Official Selection, 2019: New Industry Selection
• Various Artists Independent Film Festival, 2019: Winner, Best Children / Family Short
• Vegas Movie Awards Official Selection, November 2019
• Vegas Movie Awards, November 2019: Winner, Best Romance

Full list of awards here.

Credits

Written and Directed by: Marcela Cantú Serrano
Produced by: Laura Lilia Torres
Executive Producers: Carlos Cantú de León, Marcela Serrano de Cantú, Leonardo Arturo Serrano

CAST

Lucy: Maye Harris
Tomás: Brandon Garcia
Sophie: Miranda Hernandez
Val: Jasmine Lopez
Mrs. Marquéz: Alma Graciela Treviño
Parent: Lily Manzanares
Talkative Friend 1: Kassandra Camero
Talkative Friend 2: Daniela Treviño
School Principal: Manuel Gámez
Three-Nipple Nick: Angel A. Montoya
Chalk Promposal Girl: Regina Treviño
Chalk Promposal Boy: Dominic Hernandez

ADDITIONAL STUDENTS

Jaisey Caceres • Jiovana Caceres • Alejandra Cantú • Valeria Cardenas • Max Castillo • Janely Esquivel • Dominique Garcia • Carmen Garza • Cyndi Gonzales • Bryssa Guzman • Everardo Hernandez • Bianca Hernandez • Sara Lopez • Juan J. Mercado • Bethany Najera • Gabriella Rodriguez • Ricardo Vargas • Lorena Villalon • Miranda Villafranca

CREW

Director of Photography: Jason R. Johnston
Production Design by: Marcela Serrano de Cantú
Editor / Colorist: Jason R. Johnston

Original Music by: Sarah Boyle

1st Assistant Director: Jonathan Torres
2nd Assistant Director: Mario De Leon

Associate Producers: Theresa Rodriguez, Jason R. Johnston

Assistant to the Producer: Jesus Enrique Treviño Mendoza

Property Master: Victoria Mendez

Hair and Makeup: Daisy Maldonado
Hair and Makeup Assistant: Lorena Villalon

Wardrobe Coordinator: Daisy Maldonado
Wardrobe Assistant: Griselda Villarreal

Locations Manager: Laura Lilia Torres
Assistant Locations Manager: Jorge de la Colina

Set Photographer: Deborah Contreras

Gaffer: Gerardo Sanchez
Key Grip: Luis Reyes

Sound Recordist / Boom Operator: Arnold Martinez
Sound Mixer / Foley Artist: Jason R. Johnston

Key PA: Gilbert Cavazos
Production Assistants: Sofia Treviño, Juan Linares, Everardo Hernandez, Emily Zurita, Steve Hughes

Casting by: STX Casting
Catering: Incredible Events by Nena Siller
Craft Services: Monica Gutierrez
Security: Juan Torres

Title Logo Design: Eden Weinberg

PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES

Creative Click Media Productions
Fifty Oars Motion Pictures
Leal Media

SPONSORS

Larry Weinberg • Castany-Cantú Family

BENEFACTORS

Eden Weinberg • Efren Perez • Idolina De La Cruz • Carlos Cantú Serrano • Emma Dupell • Jessica & Pime Gutierrez • Melissa Lee

MUSIC

“Starry Eyed” Composed and performed by Sarah Boyle and Noah Foutz

SPECIAL THANKS

Saint Joseph’s Academy • The City of Brownsville Film Commission • Steven Najera • Christie Gonzalez • Emanuele Daga • Marcela Garcia Martinez • Ana Karen Coronado • Lorena Villalon • Carlos Rubio • Kevin Matre • Pilou Martinel • Ingrid Gutierrez • Marcelo Veloz • Claudia Rico • Ana Sofia Garcia Pavlovich • Familia Acevedo-Cantú • Kelsie Wells • Jordan Boyd • Lydia Morales • Monica Sacramento • Mayra Gonzalez • Kate Rankin • Marianne Staudt • Josh Adkins • Diego Zavala Ferragut • Nalyn Mordoch • Matthew Barauskas • Daniel Molina • Isabela Medina Maté • Oona Nichols • Kevin Patrick Weldon • Ana Paula Aguilar • Karla Aguilar • Fatima Aguilar • Maria Helena • Ana Gloria Aguirre • Guadalupe Aguirre • Patricia de Ponce • Josefina Siqueiros • Maria Elena Rodriguez • Karla Herrera

besosconsalproductions.com
ribbonsfilm.com

Trailer