October 8, 2023

Héctor Hernández: The director orchestrates pivotal moments

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Motivated by the dream of being a marine biologist, Itzel is the first Mexican researcher to be part of the Gulf Listen international network for acoustic monitoring of cetaceans. Through anecdotes and experiences, will immerse us in a fascinating tour of her profession. With first class marine photographers, and a sound mastering by the Grammy nominee, Simon Gibson (The Hobbit, The Beatles: Get Back), Echoes From the Blue Meadow is an audiovisual experience that will make you live how exciting, risky and amazing the world of marine biology is.

What are the most formidable challenges inherent to the profession of filmmaking?

In a movie there are a thousand reasons why everything can go wrong, whether it’s money, the weather, being against the clock. But in the end the director’s job is to orchestrate those moments and the small accidents so that the work continues to maintain the essence for which it was conceived.

Could you elaborate on the wellspring of your creative inspiration for this particular short film?

Echoes arises from a moment of crisis in my life, where I needed something to lean on. Itzel’s story was that support to stay firm in my dreams and tell a story that inspired others, as he did to myself.
Echoes From The Blue Meadow | Poster
Héctor Hernández

Could you elucidate on the central thematic underpinning of your film?

The main theme is about dreams, of course also the love for marine life. But Itzel’s story is about fulfilling a dream, a goal, and this defined much of the look of the film, the dreamlike colors and textures come from this revelation.

How do you navigate the task of strategizing cost-effective promotional efforts when operating within a constrained budget?

We are looking for a way to finance the film through calls to support culture. And we are committed to investing in the best of the best in terms of areas. It was a limited budget, but it tested our creativity and the way we teamed up with people who believed in the project.

In today's dynamic marketplace, how pivotal do you consider the role of film distribution?

Very important, I think that festivals and exhibitions today represent a vital space for many independent films. Thanks to them, we have managed to enter platforms with past projects and be invited to show our work, which is important for any filmmaker.

For individuals contemplating the path of self-distribution, what counsel or insights can you offer?

It is a path that is not easy, one tends to get discouraged sometimes very quickly. Something that has worked for us is to be selective in the type of people we want to reach, and to be convinced that our film is really good, this is contagious, and people bet on something sure.

In your estimation, what level of significance do short films hold for aspiring filmmakers seeking to embark on a career in directing?

In particular, they have become a way to learn. In each short film a director can set a personal challenge and carry it out, which will give him the experience and confidence to one day make a feature film, which due to complexity and costs does not have that freedom to experiment as in short.

Reflecting on your professional journey thus far, could you share an instance of the most formidable challenge you encountered and how you surmounted it?

A great challenge has been losing hope, whether because we didn’t find the money, the crew, or the right time, sometimes life circumstances make you pause. However, cinema somehow doesn’t let you go and you look for a way to make that movie you want so much.

What, in your view, are the critical factors that contribute to the creation of a cinematic masterpiece?

I believe that life experiences help create a vision of the world and life that enriches any work. So take those trips, go to museums, read a lot, fall in love, go to concerts, listen to the people in your daily life, because in those details is the key that will make your stories authentic.

If you could revisit the inception of your career, are there any aspects or decisions you would choose to alter in hindsight?

It’s a difficult question because for better or worse I am calm with the things that have happened, although some have gone terribly wrong, I learned… Maybe I would just say to myself “take it easy and enjoy the trip…”
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