NYFA

   As I mentioned in my previous entry, one of the things that most strikes me, about making a film is cinematography. On this last point I would like to develop the idea of the today’s topic, as it is in this area that I would like to work in the future.

Why I want to study a cinematography degree? Unfortunately, in our university the equipment available are not the best and the subject of cinematography that we had wasn’t in-depth, besides, even though I have worked a little in the cinematography area in some projects, I know I still have very much to learn. So, when I traveled to Los Angeles, California, I had a little approach to the "New York Film Academy" at the Universal Studios, where I could see how the students operated professional film cameras in the Universal's backlots. 

This experience led me to find out more about the Academy, the courses that they offer, their headquarters and their teachers. Thus, weeks later I received a magazine directly from USA which explained further the course of my interest. In a nutshell, my plan? be able to raise enough amount of money and go to study a "Cinematography Program" at the NYFA. Many people who have studied at the NYFA has been able to work after (or during the degree) in TV shows like "Parks and Recreation" or "Orange Is the New Black" and movies like "Star Wars VII" or "Deadpool", in addition to attending meetings with Spielberg, Coppola or Bryan Cranston!

I understand that the place where you study doesn’t define how you will be in the labor field in which you want to develop, but if I can study there I know that the knowledge and experience that I would gain will be very different to what I could get at any film school in Chile.

            

My future job

Studying film wasn’t an easy decision, in fact I was about to study Veterinary Medicine and stay in my city, but if I look back I realize that I like very much this career. I'm constantly wondering what will become of me after leaving the University, and now, months after finishing the career, I dont know very well.

Something that really catches my attention is the animated films, because the way these movies are made is very different to develop a documentary or a fictional film. Unfortunately, I never got much closer, so, I would like to specialize in cinematography or study something related to the field of animation at the New York Film Academy. I've always heard it's one of the best places in America to study film or performance, but this obviously must gather a good amount of money because it is very expensive.

I would also like to return to the south and make any audiovisual project with a friend. Like many classmates, I understand that this office can give you more chances to travel unlike other professions, either by shooting or festivals, and indeed, that was one of the reasons why I decided to study what I'm studying.

"A particular party..."

    I must say that I have never really liked parties, I rather to be in a quiet place with my friends instead of celebrating with strangers. I like to go dancing sometimes, but it's not something I do recurrently, so “my favorite party" which I will talk about is a little different to the concept that you should have. 

Still, I had a great time that days, in a place that fortunately very few people know. It was 2 years ago when, with seven school friends we set out to go camping at a place called "Maihue", a calm lake where you can have a great time without having to be aware of the phone, as no signal.

    I remember we were well prepared, with a tent, a sleeping bag, a backpack and a guitar.

We stayed 3 nights and 4 days camping…on the day we swam at the beach and were walking in the forest , while at night after eating roast we went to the edge of the beach, with nothing but the moonlight (sounds poetic but it's true).

    There, we made a bonfire. Also I remember that to vary slightly we made gummy bears ​​with vodka, accompanied by roasted marshmallows...those nights we hardly slept, and we spent many hours around the campfire singing, talking and laughing for anything. Still, there were times when that was a little scary staying up so late on the beach, because in Maihue abound the legends of magical creatures like goblins and after a few hours (and a few drinks) you start to believe those stories. So back to the tents was a challenge, especially when you have to help a drunk friend to cross the river that separating us from the camping site. 

    Nevertheless, it was a good summer, which I hope will return again soon to spend the summer in the south with my friends.

How I understood the meaning of learn English thanks to an orange juice.

    I was fortunate to study in a English school because my parents always wanted me to study in a place where I could learn another language. Certainly, I took advantage of my days in that school, knowing that being there was an opportunity that they didn't have when they were children. So, since I was a child I had the chance to have English classes three times a week. In Playgroup, Pre-Kinder and Kinder my teachers taught me this language with games and many songs (the one I remember is "Humpty Dumpty"), so the English class were very funny for me and my classmates. Then, in primary school the learning process was another, of course without games, but reading many books with very interesting stories which we had to lead to a dramatic representation. At that point of my life learn English for me it was just a subject that I should pass. But in high school they divided the grade into two levels according to our knowledge of the language. I was in the first one but with the time I was in the higher level, where I realized how important was to know properly a language and the advantages that could bring to me.

      Like many others I felt the need to travel to improve my speaking…but that wouldn’t happen till the day I won an all-inclusive travel to Las Vegas. I will always remember that day like one of the most important of my life, because besides to traveling without expenses I could be accompanied by my parents. They didn’t know how to speak correctly the language so I was the only responsable to interact with other people there. At first I was scared because I’ve never spoken English with others in real situations till that moment!

    As an anecdote I can tell you about the moment when (at the airport in Santiago) we get on the plane to begin the journey and to my surprise all stewardess spoke English, and just English! God, I was soooo nervous, that when one of them asked me what I wanted to drink I forgot how to speak, I mean, I FORGOT HOW TO SAY "ORANGE JUICE" IN ENGLISH! And then, as it the pressure of that moment wasn't enough, my mom asked me from the back seat how it is pronounced "sugar"...and yes, also I had forgotten that...maybe she only wanted 2 teaspoons in her tea, but instead, I wanted to throw me off the plane for couldn't say anything. Finally, and how I had forgotten how to say "juice", I had to settle for a Coke :(. Fortunately I calmed down and all that I knew of English came back to my mind...thereafter I realized that my experience in the school could help me to communicate without major problems, as long as I wasn't nervous.
    If I think about it, I consider myself a very lucky person by the fact of know this language, and of course, I felt so thankful to my parents because if it wasn’t by them I wouldn’t telling you this story. I think that the fact of inviting them to United States was a way to thank them for everything they have done for me. Because of this trip I could understand the meaning for me to learn English like a process, that not only helps you improve your relationships with people, but also it helps to develop a better self-confidence at the moment to face new challenges.

"...our hopes and expectations, black holes and revelations."

Photo taken by Carlos Muller

    It may sound weird, but I think one of the reasons why I flunked a subject last year was due to my fanaticism for Muse, a british rock band composed by Matt Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme and Dom Howard.

    I still remember that crazy afternoon of October 15 when I was trying to make a test…the only problem? I could only think of the songs that I would be singing at the Movistar Arena!! I don’t even spent an hour in the classroom when I had to run to take the bus and meet my sister who also enjoys this great band. 

    The line to enter to the enclosure and the waiting for 3 hours standing were nothing compared to all the years I had been waiting to see Matt sing. Everything was going great, but suddenly a man started throwing up right behind me. If you don't know, I suffer from "emetophobia”, a strange phobia to vomit, that in my case leads me to severe panic attacks...so you can imagine how I was. But then, I thought that nothing could ruin that moment, so I tried to not give importance to the fact that smelled of vomit and the man was very close to me. 

     Finally, the lights went out and the show began!! I sang all the songs and the whole crowd was on fire with the guitar solos of “Plug in Baby" and "Knights of Cydonia".

     Without doubt, the best concert of my life along with Roger Waters and David Gilmour...but that are stories for another time.

15.10.15 #MUSE Sin voz, pero más feliz que la cresta #grammasters3 @netflix

Una foto publicada por @alee.donoso el 16 de Oct de 2015 a la(s) 7:38 PDT

Iceland

I don't know why, but I've always liked the cold places. Maybe it's because I came from Valdivia (a city in the south of Chile) where its rains all the year. I think this is the main reason why I'm so interested in Iceland, a little country near Greenland with cold weather and beautiful landscapes full of green grass. Since I know the icelandic music group called "Of Monsters And Men" I would love to visit this place because I think is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.  Why? Well, first of all because it’s a quiet place to live, without pollution, also it has many touristic places, like volcanoes, rivers, and lakes where you can see wonderful sunsets.

You can visit too one of the cleanest cities in the world called Reykjavik. This city is the largest of this country and the capital of Iceland. One thing I would like to learn is the icelandic, because it has a strong relation with the nordic culture, and also reminds me the medieval times stories like "The Lord of the Rings"...who knows, maybe in a few years I will go to explore this wonderful country.