Julio Ponce Palmieri

With Ep.2-Discovery of the @Webseries2012 my main goal was to ensure that there was “science” behind the “Sci-Fi”,  a genre which often only focuses on the extreme without providing a probable explanation of the occurrences.   It is what keeps the genre in balance: too much science and the show crosses into dramatic territory and too much fiction then it might be quickly introduced into the fantasy genre.

With that in mind, Episode 2- Discovery  introduces a pivotal character named Dr. Leo, played by the fabulous David Burfoot.  A genetic specialist, Dr. Leo  makes a significant discovery  during one of his experiments sponsored by the government. However, I do extend the mystery of such discovery as Dr. Leo is transitioned into the future on this particular episode.   The character of Dr. Leo represents the science part of human nature. The need to use the logic behind the unknown.

During the apocalyptic section of Ep.2-Discovery,  Dr. Leo comes face to face with an infected human.  The whole purpose of creating “infected” humans was to represent the emptiness that most people live in nowadays. Creating “zombies” would have been a mistake, for the science/religion division needs a deeper explanation and it can only be accomplished under these conditions.  Meanwhile, the invaders dooming humanity and condemning them to brainless roaming is basically a representation of how humanity presents itself nowadays by being completely unaware of the realities affecting the world.

But, the sad thing about humanity now: they have the choice to pay attention, yet they choose to engage in brainless fun.  It is precisely this drastic view that the invaders have and doom humanity for good.   What sets it apart and enhances it even further is that the “infected” humans are turned into food source for the invaders. So, instead of just “being there” the infected humans are now subject to further humiliation by no longer being on top of the food chain. It is another way of showing the superiority behind the invading force of their threat.  The invader chewing over a split body of an infected human represents just that: ultimate superiority.  Huge props to “Infected Man” played by Michael Risi who bravely withstood the long hours of filming under the below zero temperature with a realistic wardrobe.  Passion and commitment to the role, no matter how small it is, is what gains the respect of directors, producers and filmmakers alike.

The overall aspect of this post-apocalyptic life also furthers the challenge of Damon & Bentley to fight off the invaders, knowing that their invasion is perfectly orchestrated & well thought out.   During the last minutes of Ep.2-Discovery  two other characters are also introduced: Oliver & Sophie.  Oliver  is played by Alex Freitas who also produced, co-directed & did the VFX for the show.  Sophie is played by Jennifer Polansky and she is Oliver’s wife in the show.  As Ep.2-Discovery nears to an end, we know that Oliver is a journalist who is working on a story, but we don’t get details of what it is.  With Sophie hovering over him before her sales seminar departure, Oliver dances around the issue of the story while quickly attempting to dismiss her.  Once Sophie is out, Oliver gets a phone call from a P.I. who tells him that the “target” is in sight.

Their casual conversation, seemingly purposeless at first, is filled with numerous innuendos & clues of their true personalities. This quick but effective interaction peeks the curiosity of the audience and catapults it into Ep.3-Veritas.

The whole world is beginning to brace and wonder.   We are quickly approaching the anniversary for the countdown for December 21, 2012, the last day of the Mayan calendar.   Given the many theories and prophecies about it, most of them being of a destructive nature, as a filmmaker it is important to capitalize in the popular and give the audience a topic they will enjoy.   Therefore, this year I created the webseries titled “2012″ which consists of 8 chapters of approximately 10 minutes each.

Given the delicate nature of the subject, I wanted to ensure that the project was going to be of a genuine nature, therefore the information that needed to be researched had to be accurate and true to the cultural aspects of the genre.  A duty that also included footage filmed in Guatemala on location at the main Mayan city of Tikal in the jungles of Peten.   Luckily, during one of my travels to Guatemala I managed to film those super important scenes and the rest just fell into place.

Excited by this huge project, I began the process of pre-production during the later months of 2011. After writing the script for the “2012″ webseries in the months of October & November 2011, I immediately went into pre-production. There were two incredible hard challenges as a screenwriter for the new format of a webseries: 1- Keeping audiences interested every minute of an 8-10 min. episode, and  2. Raising the bar and ensuring that everything that was written for the webseries I already knew I could produce.

That’s when partnering up with Alex Freitas became one of the most beneficial moves for the project.  Friendship & collaboration on a few of my films, Alex Freitas came on board as co-producer/co-director/SFX for the “2012″ webseries.  As I presented the episodes to Alex, I would ask him if a particular visual FX I had in mind was possible.  If not, it would be switched as to not have to complicate life later in post-production and end up with footage we could not use.   That careful and deliberate planning in pre-production ensured that all the footage was usable and completely accurate with the script.   With that in order, pre-production began and casting was conducted for the project.  Having written with people in mind, I already knew I wanted to work with some of my regular actors.

Talented Canadian actor Paul Tait was chosen for one of the leads since he previously worked with me in “Rabid Rage” & “Machiavelli’s The Prince”. Also, the role was a physical one and Paul Tait, being a bodybuilder, is not afraid to get down and dirty by performing his own stunts.  Another great actor involved in the webseries was Danesh Hanbury whose unique look and great talent lends for an awesome dramatic range for the particular role I had in mind for him.  I also worked with Danesh Hanbury  on “Rabid Rage” & “Machiavelli’s The Prince” and I teamed them up again for a third time during the “2012″ webseries.

Another fabulous actor involved in the “2012″ webseries was David Burfoot, who has worked with me in “The Friend”, “Hubris of Sisyphus” & “Machiavelli’s The Prince”. During casting, Colin Paradine joined up as well as Katie Uhlmann & Jennifer Polansky. Alex Freitas & I also played roles in the webseries.  Both our roles were meant for other actors who last minute decided not to participate. So, when the going gets tough…the tough step in to play.  Filming of the “2012″ webseries started during the early month of December 2011 as the street Christmas lights were needed for the footage.

As a filmmaker and lover of philosophy and theology, I wanted to ensure that the “2012″ webseries was not a mindless project, but something that the smart audiences could appreciate and eventually relate to.   Something that they could sit down afterwards for an intelligent discussion about how plausible each moment was.  And the key to doing that is to create characters that enable people to connect with.  Therefore, as every single character is introduced, their intricate journey carries more than just their screen presence.

Paul Tait plays Damon and  his character represents hope & all humanity’s future rests on his shoulders. The character of Damon is a hired killer for the government whose life is turned around during the invasion. Damon quickly discovers that his role in life was misguided and that everything he believed in now means absolutely zero.  The only thing left in Damon’s life is his ability to destroy. His mission now becomes the destruction of alien invaders.  That’s basically what Damon’s introductory speech into computer journal in Episode 1-Arrival is all about.  A speech of solitude, frustration, mixed with determination for survival, a feeling of betrayal and the need for human contact.

Things begin to change when Damon comes across Bentley as he eliminates an alien invader who was about to kill him.  Damon’s character arc in the “2012″ webseries is a journey of hope, discovery, mystery & leadership.  The character of Bentley played by Danesh Hanbury represents the emotional & personal loss.  The loss that human beings feel when something is taken away from them. In the case of the apocalyptic life for Bentley is the loss of freedom & family.  Damon’s motivation to destroy is anger, while Bentley’s is more about avenging his personal traumas. Bentley’s character has a past with Damon’s as they both worked as hired killers for the government, instantly creating a connection between them.   The reason I gave them unethical jobs is because sometimes good people are thrown into situations that require them to compromise their principles.  It made me feel like it gave the characters more depth and more meaning as opposed to giving them the role of a cop or school teacher. I love characters that are presented with ethical choices and moral dilemmas, it enhances the overall story.

The way I structured the “2012″ webseries  is that I go from the day of the invasion (December 21, 2012) with different times throughout that day, and then back and forth to two months after it happened.  By creating a timeline of the present and a timeline of the past it allowed for cool transitions from one moment to the next.  Episode 1–Arrival  deals with the shock of the alien invasion and dives into the backstory of Damon & Bentley.  You will see a familiar face in Ep. 1-Arrival as I mentioned I was forced to step into an acting role.  As an explanation of what my role was, I basically represent beings who have lost all humanity.  Therefore, all alien invaders in the “2012″ will look the same (clones) to represent loss of individuality as a living being. I’m extremely grateful that Alex Freitas was able to work around the cloning issue since it is a tricky post-prod effect.

Ep.1-Arrival is an exciting way of introducing the mayhem that Damon’s everyday events are like in this new apocalypse.  Bentley saving Damon is more of a symbolic moment as they now affirm the need for humans to interact as a method of survival, with emphasis on the fact that humans are social creatures.  As the episodes progress, Damon’s growth becomes significant & the hope factor becomes more powerful.  The other characters begin to trust and depend on him, as well as his own personal demon of having to deal with the mysterious visions. After all, hope does propel human stories & do wonders for characters by getting audiences involved. Watch Episode 1—Arrival and share your thoughts!!

The 26th edition of the Festival Del Cinema LatinoAmericano in Trieste, Italy and its director Rodrigo Diaz were amazing in their support as I was given a significant space in the Contemporary Section titled “Spazio Guatemala”.   Four of my projects were showcased during this wonderful week of films, they were the romantic comedy short film “Been A While”, the suspenseful mythological short film “The Hubris Of Sisyphus” , the philosophical crime drama “Machiavelli’s The Prince” and the feature film/webseries titled “2012″, which tells the tale of a handful of people who survive the last day of the Mayan calendar: December 21, 2012.

Going back to Trieste was a fabulous experience, having first been there in 2009 with another amazing showcase titled “A Guatemalan in Canada” where eight of my other productions (my earlier works) were presented.   Having the honor of being the first Guatemalan filmmaker to attend and be programmed in the festival meant the world to me, since I have made no secret of the love I feel for my birth country.    For those who don’t know, my production company is named Quetzal, which is the national bird of Guatemala and the national currency.   A perfect fit for this ever changing/growing industry of filmmaking which comprises of “show”, which translates to art, beauty, creation and well…”business”, self-explanatory monster ruled by economic success.

Living in North America, in the city of Toronto, one quickly forgets the “show” part of the filmmaking process.  Everyone is so caught up in the Hollywood dream and in the competition factor, placing complete and total emphasis on the financial success of the movies made.   And in the process, the creativity and the beautiful journey that happens from inception to conception is lost.  Nobody in North America wants to hear what it was like to adapt for the first time ever the works of Italy’s most controversial philosopher Machiavelli.   Nobody wants to take the time to sit down over an espresso and/or wine to discuss the process of the adaptation and the way it fit perfectly into the short film.   Nobody wants to know what it was like to take a mythological figure such as Sisyphus and incorporate that timeless myth into the movie screen.  Nobody wants to know the inspiration of why “2012″ was written and the underlying factors behind each and every chapter of the series.  But, in Trieste people wanted to know and they focused as well on the “show” part of the filmmaking process.  The art/creation/cultural part of the filmmaking as well as the storytelling was a main topic of discussion as well as the educated conversation and thought exchange of a massive undertaking.

It gave me hope to see that in Trieste, culture is held in high regard and the filmmakers are respected.   No intrusive badgering of who was in my film and how much money it made, with a quick judgement following based on the response.  Those questions came second, third or fourth, but not before the other individual managed for a few minutes to get into the mind of the filmmaker and feel for a second the amazing creative process of this wonderful thing we all call filmmaking.  An exploration of the “show” before getting into the “business” was definitely a welcoming change.

Yes, the art of filmmaking is alive and well.  But, it appears that one might have to jump on a plane for 8 hours to find it.  North American film festivals and its filmmakers should take notice.   It is an unforgettable experience of synergy and positive energy that fuels the motivation to continue making films.

Find below a small video from my trip in 2009, at the Festival Del Cinema LatinoAmericano in Trieste, Italy.  Even though is in Spanish, watch it and feel the culture via the amazing images.

In 2010, the people behind the largest short film festival in Mexico called “CINE A LAS CALLES” (“TAKING THE FILMS TO THE STREETS”) were interested in creating an event in Guatemala.   As they were putting the film festival together, I was more than honored when I received an email asking if I was interested in participating as a jury member of such.   Needless to say, I was completely honored and immediately accepted.  As a filmmaker, I am used to people viewing my material with a critical eye and giving it a thumbs up or thumbs down (or perhaps a sideways thumb too?) and I’ve been lucky enough to have received some awards and nominations with some of my films .    However, in this particular instance I was standing on the other side of the fence, viewing films from novice filmmakers and seasoned filmmakers alike, being touched by the creativity of those who wanted to tell a story and deliver a message to their audiences.

Being a jury member allowed me to grow as a filmmaker because it made me realize the efforts and the work that go into the complicated art/biz of film.  I was already aware of it, but making one’s own films is like the whole tree with the forest scenario.   As a jury member, I was taken out of that forest and allowed to view and appreciate each particular tree with their own unique leaves and little animals living in it.

For 2011, the second edition of the film festival in Guatemala, I was asked again to become a part of the jury.  Of course, I was extremely happy about the opportunity to discover and take part in the wonderful world of film from a different role that I’m used to.    Thank you Juan Pablo Asturias, Luis P. Ramirez and Concepcion Castillo (and all the staff of “Escenario” & “Cine a las Calles”) for allowing me to discover another side of filmmaking, a more engaging and less selfish one.   Also, congratulations to all the filmmakers who have had the courage to pick up a camera and engage in this difficult but very rewarding journey.

Onward all!   Continue creating.

Ten years ago I was heading to work as a bouncer for one of the main nightclubs in the infamous Entertainment District of Toronto. I was gaining experience as my goal back then was to eventually join the Metro Toronto Police or perhaps the prestigious RCMP. But, what I never expected that night is that my life would change and it was all because of Edward James Olmos.
The city of Toronto hosts the Indy car races (it was called the Molson Indy back then) and Mr. Olmos had attended it earlier and that night he had entered the nightclub with one of his sons. As I immediately recognized him because of his Miami Vice fame and because of his Latino background, I approached him and greeted him in Spanish. Being the gentleman that he is, he politely acknowledged me, introduced me to his son and asked me what Toronto was like. After a small and casual conversation about his films, suddenly the word “script” popped up. I stopped, blankly stared at him and asked: “What’s a script?”. Fast forward to 2011 and I’ve never seen or spoken to Mr. Olmos since, but that brief encounter planted the seed: the filmmaking seed.

The first thing I did when I got home that night was to print “The Godfather” script and watch it side by side with the finished film. And I did that with about 25 more films. Then I did the unthinkable: I attempted to write my first script with no screenwriting experience whatsoever. Never did I imagine that it would come easy for me, but it just did. Was it meant to be? A casual encounter disguised as a moment of fate? Only time could tell.

Fast forward to 2003 and my first two short film scripts got picked up by production companies, submitted to festivals and won awards. But, something was missing, I wasn’t directing my films. So, I did the unthinkable back in 2004: I wrote, directed, produced my first feature film in 7 days using one camera, two crews and a budget of $1500. Suddenly, nothing could stop me. Two more feature films and half a dozen short films just emanated out my brain, soul and camera. People in the film biz would mock me as they would claim that making any film under those conditions was impossible and it would amount to nothing. But, I kept getting festival play, nominations, awards, showcases and even world-wide distribution for my films. One feature film I did in 2008 for $400 even went theatrical in Guatemala for two full weeks and ended up playing alongside huge Hollywood films. Little did I know that I had been one of the first few brave souls in filmmaking who had started the “no budget” indie movement.

In 2010, as the film industry had completely experienced a revolution with the use of the DSLRs and the availability of professional post-production programs to the general public, I decided that it was time to step it up. And I wanted the whole world to see how passionate I am about this wonderful film biz and my storytelling. So, yes…(you guessed it)…I did the unthinkable: With no money, no crew, two Canon 7D, two MacBook Pros, an excellent co-director/producer/VFX and a group of talented actors, I entered the so ever popular webseries arena.

Being from Latino background, originally from Guatemala, I have always been fascinated by the Mayans, having visited many ancient cities throughout my lifetime. And with the hype of the Mayan prophecy of the end of their calendar, I realized that I had found my new project: “2012” The Webseries. The first thing I did was to partner with good friend and talented filmmaker Alex Freitas whose self-taught approach to filmmaking rings true to me. And as a two-man army, Alex Freitas and I split all the producing, directing, filming and editing duties of the “2012” webseries. The only thing we did independently of each other was my duties as a screenwriter and his duties as a VFX ass kicking machine.

Once the casting began, many actors turned us down, many people claimed they wanted to be involved but last minute they ran for the hills, afraid of the harsh winter months of Toronto. Only the stronger ones remained, actors like Paul Tait, Danesh Hanbury, David Burfoot and Colin Paradine who endured countless days on location in the deep forests of the city parks of Toronto. But, we all persevered, remained focused and we got it done. And I am eternally grateful to every single person who participated, helped and pushed us in the right direction to make the “2012” webseries a reality. They all believed in my creation and I have nothing but respect for them and specially for Alex Freitas who for months did his magic to bring to life the awesome moments that I had envisioned in my head while writing the script.

“2012” tells the story of a handful of people who survived an alien invasion that happened on the last day of the Mayan calendar: December 21, 2012. As one of the survivors tries to cope, he experiences unexplained visions of Mayan cities and an unknown Mayan god who holds the key to the salvation of humanity. “2012” has got aliens, spaceships, zombies, fights sequences, great dramatic performances and a script filled with mystery and the supernatural.

As my film career is quickly approaching the 8 year mark, my advice to those who are getting into it now is: Do the unthinkable. Don’t let anyone tell you it cannot be done, don’t let anyone deflate you and politely ignore everyone who brings negativity into your film life. Having the passion, the discipline, the determination and the desire is more than half the battle. That is what drives you as a creative individual and a human being…that is where one finds the courage to go on.

And there is no better feeling in the world as a filmmaker than to be able to share with the audiences one’s work. So, please, enjoy the “2012” webseries because it is there for you all to watch. Season 1 consists of 8 episodes of approximately 10 minutes each and they are all currently online via Youtube.