A sinister tale about three close friends in high school, titled, “Love, Adrian” has made the Division 2 state semifinals in the UIL Young Filmmakers Festival competition. The seven-minute film is the product of students at Veterans Memorial High School. It was written and directed by Carlos Tello and Arnold Mercado.
The contest has three categories: animation, documentary, and narrative. “Love, Adrian”, falls into the narrative category.
Tello and Mercado said the project is the result of almost a month of very intense work; about a week for script development and writing, about a week for shooting, and about a week of editing. They said the whole production team involved many students, VMHS staff, the Mission Police Department, and the help of some local business locations.
Through the narrative style, the film shows how a close friendship between three people tragically ends due to the sinister plans of one of them.
State UIL officials said they planned to announce the finalists in the contest by Friday, March 28. A special, public screening of the finalist’s films will be held on Friday, April, 16. Awards for the top three films in each category and division will also be given out at the special event to be held at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas. State guidelines indicate the films are judged on originality, cinematic storytelling, and technical execution.
“Love, Adrian” can be viewed on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW3insXBmok.
The main cast includes: Emily Cantu, Daniel Cantu, Karla Gastel, Mark Morris, Erica Barrera. Classroom scene extras: Arjon Bashir, Julissa Roman, Jose Garcia, Miranda Vick, Cassie Galvez, Marcos Cabrea, Matthew Sanchez, Jonathan Ayala, Brandon Ruiz. Hallway extras: Talia Fuentes, Leo Lopez, Ferny Garcia, Yaritza Tanguma, Daniel Trevino, Michelle Salinas. Police officers: Sgt. Manuel Casas, Officer Javier Lara, Officer Veronica Longoria. Forensics techs: Steven Ruiz, Guillermo Galvan.
Student production team includes- producer, Jule Salinas; assistant director, Jaime Bazaldua and Henry Davis III; cinematographers, Carlos Tello, Jaime Bazaldua, Henry Davis III; key grip, Henry Davis III; grips, Ethan Pena and Micaela Cantu; boom operators, Henry Davis III and Jaime Bazaldua; script supervisor, Bryana Cantu.
The production thanks the assistance provided by: Mark Morris, Nora Longoria, Adrian Guerrero, Christian Hernandez, Aaron Langley, Alfred Barriero, Greg Danielson, Jessica Buentello, Alejandrina and Felix Tello, Mission Police Department, City of Mission, Veterans Memorial High School, Jitterz Coffee Bar, Yusmas.
Pictured are production team members, on the front row from left to right are: Carlos Tello, Daniel Cantu, Karla Gastel, Emily Cantu, Arnold Mercado. On the middle row are: Jule Salinas, Bryana Cantu, Henry Davis III. On the back row are: Jaime Bazaldua, Esai Garcia. Not pictured: Ethan Pena.
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