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A queer short film about two girlhood friends who find each other again on the cusp of adulthood. 'Lucia & Nicole' is the story of when Lucia and her mother find Lucia's childhood friend Nicole living on the streets of Albuquerque after she’s come out. Upon discovering this Lucia's family decides to do what they can to help her out. However, Nicole’s re-appearance into their lives raises questions about their own daughter’s identity and how to respond to Lucia and Nicole’s re-connection.
This is a romance film inspired by the epic romances we grew up with and the old love stories we were told by our families but never saw reflected on screen for queer couples.
Directed by Marlene Emilia Rios and co-produced by Aroonsri Khamsamran and Sam Gordon, this film was a return to Albuquerque for the three University of New Mexico Alumni. It was important to shoot this film on location in Albuquerque, New Mexico using local cast and crew, to really tie together the idea that community is what allows people to thrive and gives space for romanticism. The core idea behind the film and the production of this film was really that queer love and queer storytelling thrives in environments where the community isn't just accepting but also has an empowering support system in place. The story centers around re-empowering a queer teenager and we know that story and that film can't happen without a community to rally behind it.
'Lucia & Nicole' is a low budget short film made possible by lots of support. Including favors from Twinfolk Creative, Serious Grippage & Light Co., Keslow Camera, Picture Perfect Photo Lab, a grant from UFVF/Kodak, co-producer Brian May, co-producers Aroonsri Khamsamran & Sam Gordon's literal feet on the ground to rally crew, and so much more. It was a 2 day shoot during the sweltering summer days of August, covering 9 script pages and 4 locations, where we leaned heavily on the local community to help us pull this off. It took a lot to pull this film together (but we'll talk more about that later).
Here's a little peak on what that looked like:
We rented our camera from Keslow Camera in Albuquerque and were greeted with this sweet sketch of the quintessential bosque scene we were planning to film when we went to pick up our kit.
Here's our Director of Photography, Garrett Smith using the spot meter to get a reading.
First A.C. Lane Luper and Second A.C. Alejandro Torres flying in a filter for camera on the bosque.
Romance Suarez sitting in position before we go for a take.
Claudia Levis adjusting her mic placement ahead of the shot.
Garrett framing up a shot.
Lane & Alejandro setting up on the camera cart in front of Picture Perfect Photo Lab who let us shoot in their parking lot and use their storefront as a base.
After the shoot Garrett and I realized we had a couple hours the next morning before we had to return the camera, so forced ourselves up in the morning to use the extra time we had with our camera to get a few shots of Albuquerque to serve as texture for the film.
G&E Swing Jess Danielle, Production Sound Mixer Caine Deegan, Romance Suarez & Claudia Levis waiting in the shade in between shots.
Garrett and Producer Aroonsri Khamsamran location scouting and doing some last minute paperwork.
Claudia Levis & Romance Suarez sitting in place for the bosque scene.
A few BTS shots from D.P. Garrett Smith's camera:
Director Marlene Emilia Rios & Aroonsri Khamsamran scouting another potential spot for 'Lucia & Nicole'
Marlene watching a rehearsal on the monitor.
'Lucia & Nicole' will be released late 2024, we will release more information, updates and screening details as they come.
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