Echeb'al/Legacy — Short Film

In February of 2019, I had the opportunity to produce a short film “Echeb’al/Legacy” directed by Ernesto Abrego. It tells the story of a Guatemalan soccer team that blends ancient culture with their sport to keep the legacy of their heritage alive. 

The shoot was a three-day marathon spent at breakneck speeds with early mornings, late nights and multiple locations. One of the scenes took us up a mountain at 4 a.m. to capture a volcano at sunrise. As we lugged a bulky O’Connor tripod and the rest of our camera and lighting gear through the pitch blackness, swatting at invisible mosquitos while trekking through coffee fields and up steep inclines, I remember joking with the DP about how much I could go for a good cup of coffee. Near the top, an elderly local and his wife emerged from the brush with hot fire-brewed coffee and fresh rolls as if on queue. It was incredible! 

As the blue light of the early morning began to appear, we realized we were completely surrounded by fog and I knew there was a chance we’d be unable to capture the shots we’d hiked all the way up there for. To make the most of the conditions, we ended up finding a patch of woods at the very top filled with fog and filmed an epic scene with the main actor. All at once, the fog began to lift and revealed the long sought after volcano rising above the clouds. The sunrise continued to burn off the fog and we were able to successfully film the scene we’d set out for. The view was majestic and the timing was perfect. 

I love filming in exotic locations and highlighting international cultures. This shoot provided the perfect environment for those elements, and created special opportunities for me to lean into the magic that happens when you embrace the unexpected.