Valentina
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy, Fantasy
This film follows Valentina, a young Hispanic girl on a road trip with her negligent grandparents. Based on a true story, this film captures a child’s innocence and distorted views of reality. What happens when perception and reality collide?
Valentina
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy, Fantasy
3 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $12,350 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
49 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
This film follows Valentina, a young Hispanic girl on a road trip with her negligent grandparents. Based on a true story, this film captures a child’s innocence and distorted views of reality. What happens when perception and reality collide?
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
BACKGROUND
My name is Sharai Corral. I am an artist who was born in the US and raised in Mexico. I have worked in the film industry as a graphic designer for years, collaborating with experienced and talented filmmakers as they bring to life their huge productions. Being part of this amazing collabortaive world made me realize that I too could bring a story to life, especially one that is truly dear to me as one of my earliest childhood memories.
I spent much of my summers split between California and Mexico. When we reminisce on our childhood memories, we tend to view them differently as adults than when we were young. The story of Valentina is based on one of my earliest childhood memories. I am excited to bring this story to life and will be meshing memories, dreams and reality. While there are some deep themes, I also plan to bring some comedic relief.
SYNOPSIS
Road trips for a young kid are fun and full of exci tement. But for Valentina an 8 year old overweight hispanic girl, an overnight road Trip wi th her grandparents is far from pleasant and exci ting. She has no say in this, but she must take the dream-like ride from California to Texas, driving through the hot desert of arizona where the film opens. A utility van, with windows barely cracked, full of cigarette stagnant smoke the girl sits in the front row wedged in between both grandparents. Her grandparents drink beer and grandmother mixes it with sleeping pills. The girl is left with the responsibility of keeping her grandfather awake during the night, as the grandmother will likely pass out with the cocktail of beer and pills she just took. The girl is hungry but the grandmother refuses to give any thing but slim fast, she makes her feel like she doesn’ t deserve to eat real foods, she is a bully. Once the grandmother passes out the girl steals some “chocolates” laying around in the van. Soon she’ll realize why it was a bad idea to eat those painful chocolates. Making an unexpected stop at a gas station the girl finds herself stranded, with no adult in sight. Does she feel abandoned? Does she feel alone? She finally got what she wanted, she is finally free!
THEMES
In a light hearted comedy, the topic of child negligence resounds through out the film. This 8 year old girl is suppose to be taken care by the two adults she is in custody of. It is not all dark and sad in Valentina’s world, she looks at this experience through a different lens. Life is very different now than what it was in the early 90’s many things were acceptable; drunk driving, no seatbelt, no cellphones. We all have child memories of road trips or vacations. At the moment, you never knew if you were in danger. You felt safe, happy, well taken care of. If we stop to think of what that first road trip would look like, it would seem like a dream. Things feel and seemed bigger, brighter, and more colorful. Abandonment, acceptance, family, self-love will be explored in this film.
CHARACTERS
The film will be shot from Valentina's angle and through her eyes. She is the main character and will be the center of the story. Her grandparents characters contribute to the story and serve as an integral part of her journey of discovery.
VALENTINA
Valentina is an overweight greasy face 8 year old hispanic girl. Very quiet as she is always observing her surroundings, trying to analyze and understand her specific place in time. She craves junk food, she just craves any food. Her grandmother has her on a slim fast diet and won’t let her eat the junk food she desires. Valentina represents the fragile unspoiled innocence and simplicity of being a child, such pure view of life can change in an instant by stressful events that force us to leave a dreamlike world and in to harsh reality.
ABUELOS
Abuelita - is a strong opinionated 45 yr old hispanic woman. She is always arguing or talking bad about someone else, at times it feels like she isn’t talking to anyone, more like we are inside her thoughts. She chain smokes and self-medicates with pills and alcohol, she doesn’t care about anyone but herself. She is the boss of the family, always right never wrong.
Abuelito - 46 year old hispanic male. Quiet and mellow. Lives in his own mind, shutting the outside world and noise from his wife. He ignores his surroundings and distances himself from any of his responsibilities. He likes to drink and drive at night while he does his overnight road trips. He is completely submissive to his wife.
STYLE
Valentina will feel like a dream, foggy and unreal. When we dig in to our childhood memories the images feel distorted, things seemed larger, brighter, more colorful than they really were. This films will be rich in color and contrast I.E THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, and AMELIE. Frames could be frozen and extracted in to a piece of art. The perspective is from the Memory of Valentina, shots will be lower and from her point of view.
SUPPORT
We have put together an outstanding, diverse, and passionate team to bring this story to life. Our team is working low rates and leveraging use of our own equipment and experience. However, we still will have expenses that will include actors, locations, permits, van, and food/beverage.
This past year has been a difficult one for all of us, the production world, just like the rest of the world, grinded to a halt as the world was faced with a new challenge. The global pandemic affected us all in new ways, and while it was a difficult time it also left us with free time, which was instrumental for the creative process of this short.
The idea of making this short has been years in the making, but it finally came to life during these difficult times. This is why we decided to launch this campaign to produce this short this year, our team is a tight team that missed being not only back on set but creating art together. Being back on a film set is something most of us have been waiting for months. Your contribution can help us get the team back together but more importantly share this beautiful, personal story with the world.
Your support toward this project will support us in our costs and expenses. We have plans to submit this to festivals and would like to take you on the journey with us. As much as we would like to make this happen, we cannot get there without your support!
We also invite you to not only follow our campaign on Seed and Spark, but to follow us on our social media channels and our site for more information and especially to learn about other ways you can help us bring Sharai's vision to life. Visit www.valentinathefilm.com.
Thank you!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Performers
Costs $1,000
We are in the process of casting a top-notch and very diverse group of actors.
Vehicle and Props
Costs $1,000
We must make sure we get the right vehicle to create the fantasy world Valentina travels in.
Camera Package
Costs $2,000
This amount pays for our camera package and lenses.
Hair & Make Up
Costs $500
In order to create Valentina's world, we must make sure we have the right look for our actors.
Wardrobe
Costs $500
In order to create the Valentina's world, we must make sure we have the right look for our actors.
Production Design
Costs $1,000
We require a production designer to dress an old gas station and van accordingly.
Sound
Costs $500
What sets films apart comes down to the sound we want to make sure we have the right person.
Locations
Costs $4,000
Our film takes place mostly on the road but the story culminates at an old gas station.
Crew
Costs $3,000
This will allow us to take care of our talented group behind the camera.
Catering
Costs $500
We will be working long days, it's important for morale and energy to keep the crew fed.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Our team has worked together in a few projects, we have created a bond and work dynamic that has resulted in amazing content, series, commercials and films.
The Valagardo Productions team came together because we needed to create a collective that understood each other and the passion we have for filmmaking. We are willing to help in any way to make each others projects a reality and most importantly we understand how lucky we are to be able to do what we love.
Meet our team of incredible diverse people in front and behind the camera who have chosen to take this journey with VALENTINA.
OUR CAST
AARON ALONSO, THE GRANDFATHER
Aarón Alonso is originally from Juárez, Mexico. He has appeared in television networks such as FX, FOX, Univision, and Telemundo. He has been in short films in Barcelona, Madrid, Mexico City and Los Angeles. Theater in Chicago, LA, and Chihuahua. He received his acting education mainly on his own with some classes in Chicago (Improv and Meisner) and France (clown). He independently teaches improvisation workshops and acting for over 5 years, he has taught in Sweden, USA, and Mexico.
THE CREW
SHARAI CORRAL, WRITER/DIRECTOR
Sharai Corral is a Mexican artist through and through. She works in the TV/Film industry as a Graphic Designer. She has worked on notable projects including Sylvester Stallone’s Samaritan, Disney+ Ms. Marvel, and Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories. She has turned her passion for Film into a full-time career. Born in the US, she was raised in Mexico. She currently resides in the US with her wife and their son.
BLAKE VAZ, PRODUCER/EDITOR
Blake is a director, and EMMY® AWARD Winning producer. With over 12 years’ experience producing branded content, docuseries, commercials, and TV shows for brands like Lexus, Wells Fargo, Michelob Ultra, Korbel, Jarritos, 7Eleven and Hyundai. As the Director of Branded Content for Walton Isaacson he brought “VIDALEXUS PRESENTA Té Para Tres” to a larger audience by spearheading the relationship with the Lexus Brand and the show’s creators, to produce two seasons and received an Emmy Award in the process. Vaz is also the owner of VALAGARDO PRODUCTIONS, through which he produces branded content, commercials, films and TV shows. His first short film BLOOD STAINS, which was written, produced, directed and scored by Vaz, was accepted at over 40 film festivals and won various awards at prestigious film festivals around the world. Vaz is currently finishing his next two short films which he produced and directed. The horror short film “L.U.N.A.”, a modern take on the Haunted House genre, with hints of gothic horror and Italian Giallo and the L.A. crime short film “MATCHES”.
DANIEL GOMEZ BAGBY, CINEMATOGRAPHER
Daniel is an LA based Mexican American Director & Cinematographer. A multi-hyphenate media professional, Daniel has directed, shot, and produced music videos, branded content, commercials, and short films for over a decade. As part owner of Veva Entertainment he specialized in content for musicians, record labels, and narrative shorts while developing his creative voice. He then used that experience to transition into advertising, directing content for Lexus, Spalding, and McDonalds. As a Cinematographer he has shot various Facebook-Live & Youtube web-series which have gathered millions of views. He won
the Best Cinematography Award at the Independent Horror Movie Awards and Oregon Scream Horror Fest for the film “Blood Stains.” His narrative film “The Climbing Perch” has played over a dozen festivals and was recently awarded Best Narrative Short at the Los Angeles Film Festival & Independent Shorts Awards. Always eager to create, Daniel continues to pursue his dream to one day direct a feature film.
VIOLETA VAZ, PRODUCER
Violeta Vaz is a producer working in the film and branded content industry currently based in LA. She is the co-owner of Valagardo Productions along with her husband Blake Vaz. She has helped produce Valagardo's latest projects including the short films MATCHES and L.U.N.A., the branded content docuseries MICHELOB ULTRA ORGULLOSO SESSIONS which she also co-wrote, and helped produce a couple of commercials for HYUNDAI. Violeta is currently co-writting along with Blake their first feature JAUNE, a giallo influenced modern horror film.
ANDREA FELIU, PRODUCER
Andrea Feliu is a Mexican-American producer and photographer based out of Los Angeles. In less than three years Andrea hit the ground as a photographer for Hispanic multimedia companies and producing short docs, promos and social media content for clients like Mcdonalds, Tecate and MTV. Andrea recently received a certification from the New York Film Academy for the Film and TV Producing Program. She was part of the producing team that made the short film “Matches” currently in post production and the award winning short film “The Climbing Perch”. Andrea and the Valagardo Productions family are now gearing up to shoot this new short Film “Valentina”.
These are just some of the key players already on board, we are working on expanding our team in front and behind the camera with more talented and diverse people in the coming weeks.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
BACKGROUND
My name is Sharai Corral. I am an artist who was born in the US and raised in Mexico. I have worked in the film industry as a graphic designer for years, collaborating with experienced and talented filmmakers as they bring to life their huge productions. Being part of this amazing collabortaive world made me realize that I too could bring a story to life, especially one that is truly dear to me as one of my earliest childhood memories.
I spent much of my summers split between California and Mexico. When we reminisce on our childhood memories, we tend to view them differently as adults than when we were young. The story of Valentina is based on one of my earliest childhood memories. I am excited to bring this story to life and will be meshing memories, dreams and reality. While there are some deep themes, I also plan to bring some comedic relief.
SYNOPSIS
Road trips for a young kid are fun and full of exci tement. But for Valentina an 8 year old overweight hispanic girl, an overnight road Trip wi th her grandparents is far from pleasant and exci ting. She has no say in this, but she must take the dream-like ride from California to Texas, driving through the hot desert of arizona where the film opens. A utility van, with windows barely cracked, full of cigarette stagnant smoke the girl sits in the front row wedged in between both grandparents. Her grandparents drink beer and grandmother mixes it with sleeping pills. The girl is left with the responsibility of keeping her grandfather awake during the night, as the grandmother will likely pass out with the cocktail of beer and pills she just took. The girl is hungry but the grandmother refuses to give any thing but slim fast, she makes her feel like she doesn’ t deserve to eat real foods, she is a bully. Once the grandmother passes out the girl steals some “chocolates” laying around in the van. Soon she’ll realize why it was a bad idea to eat those painful chocolates. Making an unexpected stop at a gas station the girl finds herself stranded, with no adult in sight. Does she feel abandoned? Does she feel alone? She finally got what she wanted, she is finally free!
THEMES
In a light hearted comedy, the topic of child negligence resounds through out the film. This 8 year old girl is suppose to be taken care by the two adults she is in custody of. It is not all dark and sad in Valentina’s world, she looks at this experience through a different lens. Life is very different now than what it was in the early 90’s many things were acceptable; drunk driving, no seatbelt, no cellphones. We all have child memories of road trips or vacations. At the moment, you never knew if you were in danger. You felt safe, happy, well taken care of. If we stop to think of what that first road trip would look like, it would seem like a dream. Things feel and seemed bigger, brighter, and more colorful. Abandonment, acceptance, family, self-love will be explored in this film.
CHARACTERS
The film will be shot from Valentina's angle and through her eyes. She is the main character and will be the center of the story. Her grandparents characters contribute to the story and serve as an integral part of her journey of discovery.
VALENTINA
Valentina is an overweight greasy face 8 year old hispanic girl. Very quiet as she is always observing her surroundings, trying to analyze and understand her specific place in time. She craves junk food, she just craves any food. Her grandmother has her on a slim fast diet and won’t let her eat the junk food she desires. Valentina represents the fragile unspoiled innocence and simplicity of being a child, such pure view of life can change in an instant by stressful events that force us to leave a dreamlike world and in to harsh reality.
ABUELOS
Abuelita - is a strong opinionated 45 yr old hispanic woman. She is always arguing or talking bad about someone else, at times it feels like she isn’t talking to anyone, more like we are inside her thoughts. She chain smokes and self-medicates with pills and alcohol, she doesn’t care about anyone but herself. She is the boss of the family, always right never wrong.
Abuelito - 46 year old hispanic male. Quiet and mellow. Lives in his own mind, shutting the outside world and noise from his wife. He ignores his surroundings and distances himself from any of his responsibilities. He likes to drink and drive at night while he does his overnight road trips. He is completely submissive to his wife.
STYLE
Valentina will feel like a dream, foggy and unreal. When we dig in to our childhood memories the images feel distorted, things seemed larger, brighter, more colorful than they really were. This films will be rich in color and contrast I.E THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, and AMELIE. Frames could be frozen and extracted in to a piece of art. The perspective is from the Memory of Valentina, shots will be lower and from her point of view.
SUPPORT
We have put together an outstanding, diverse, and passionate team to bring this story to life. Our team is working low rates and leveraging use of our own equipment and experience. However, we still will have expenses that will include actors, locations, permits, van, and food/beverage.
This past year has been a difficult one for all of us, the production world, just like the rest of the world, grinded to a halt as the world was faced with a new challenge. The global pandemic affected us all in new ways, and while it was a difficult time it also left us with free time, which was instrumental for the creative process of this short.
The idea of making this short has been years in the making, but it finally came to life during these difficult times. This is why we decided to launch this campaign to produce this short this year, our team is a tight team that missed being not only back on set but creating art together. Being back on a film set is something most of us have been waiting for months. Your contribution can help us get the team back together but more importantly share this beautiful, personal story with the world.
Your support toward this project will support us in our costs and expenses. We have plans to submit this to festivals and would like to take you on the journey with us. As much as we would like to make this happen, we cannot get there without your support!
We also invite you to not only follow our campaign on Seed and Spark, but to follow us on our social media channels and our site for more information and especially to learn about other ways you can help us bring Sharai's vision to life. Visit www.valentinathefilm.com.
Thank you!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Performers
Costs $1,000
We are in the process of casting a top-notch and very diverse group of actors.
Vehicle and Props
Costs $1,000
We must make sure we get the right vehicle to create the fantasy world Valentina travels in.
Camera Package
Costs $2,000
This amount pays for our camera package and lenses.
Hair & Make Up
Costs $500
In order to create Valentina's world, we must make sure we have the right look for our actors.
Wardrobe
Costs $500
In order to create the Valentina's world, we must make sure we have the right look for our actors.
Production Design
Costs $1,000
We require a production designer to dress an old gas station and van accordingly.
Sound
Costs $500
What sets films apart comes down to the sound we want to make sure we have the right person.
Locations
Costs $4,000
Our film takes place mostly on the road but the story culminates at an old gas station.
Crew
Costs $3,000
This will allow us to take care of our talented group behind the camera.
Catering
Costs $500
We will be working long days, it's important for morale and energy to keep the crew fed.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Our team has worked together in a few projects, we have created a bond and work dynamic that has resulted in amazing content, series, commercials and films.
The Valagardo Productions team came together because we needed to create a collective that understood each other and the passion we have for filmmaking. We are willing to help in any way to make each others projects a reality and most importantly we understand how lucky we are to be able to do what we love.
Meet our team of incredible diverse people in front and behind the camera who have chosen to take this journey with VALENTINA.
OUR CAST
AARON ALONSO, THE GRANDFATHER
Aarón Alonso is originally from Juárez, Mexico. He has appeared in television networks such as FX, FOX, Univision, and Telemundo. He has been in short films in Barcelona, Madrid, Mexico City and Los Angeles. Theater in Chicago, LA, and Chihuahua. He received his acting education mainly on his own with some classes in Chicago (Improv and Meisner) and France (clown). He independently teaches improvisation workshops and acting for over 5 years, he has taught in Sweden, USA, and Mexico.
THE CREW
SHARAI CORRAL, WRITER/DIRECTOR
Sharai Corral is a Mexican artist through and through. She works in the TV/Film industry as a Graphic Designer. She has worked on notable projects including Sylvester Stallone’s Samaritan, Disney+ Ms. Marvel, and Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories. She has turned her passion for Film into a full-time career. Born in the US, she was raised in Mexico. She currently resides in the US with her wife and their son.
BLAKE VAZ, PRODUCER/EDITOR
Blake is a director, and EMMY® AWARD Winning producer. With over 12 years’ experience producing branded content, docuseries, commercials, and TV shows for brands like Lexus, Wells Fargo, Michelob Ultra, Korbel, Jarritos, 7Eleven and Hyundai. As the Director of Branded Content for Walton Isaacson he brought “VIDALEXUS PRESENTA Té Para Tres” to a larger audience by spearheading the relationship with the Lexus Brand and the show’s creators, to produce two seasons and received an Emmy Award in the process. Vaz is also the owner of VALAGARDO PRODUCTIONS, through which he produces branded content, commercials, films and TV shows. His first short film BLOOD STAINS, which was written, produced, directed and scored by Vaz, was accepted at over 40 film festivals and won various awards at prestigious film festivals around the world. Vaz is currently finishing his next two short films which he produced and directed. The horror short film “L.U.N.A.”, a modern take on the Haunted House genre, with hints of gothic horror and Italian Giallo and the L.A. crime short film “MATCHES”.
DANIEL GOMEZ BAGBY, CINEMATOGRAPHER
Daniel is an LA based Mexican American Director & Cinematographer. A multi-hyphenate media professional, Daniel has directed, shot, and produced music videos, branded content, commercials, and short films for over a decade. As part owner of Veva Entertainment he specialized in content for musicians, record labels, and narrative shorts while developing his creative voice. He then used that experience to transition into advertising, directing content for Lexus, Spalding, and McDonalds. As a Cinematographer he has shot various Facebook-Live & Youtube web-series which have gathered millions of views. He won
the Best Cinematography Award at the Independent Horror Movie Awards and Oregon Scream Horror Fest for the film “Blood Stains.” His narrative film “The Climbing Perch” has played over a dozen festivals and was recently awarded Best Narrative Short at the Los Angeles Film Festival & Independent Shorts Awards. Always eager to create, Daniel continues to pursue his dream to one day direct a feature film.
VIOLETA VAZ, PRODUCER
Violeta Vaz is a producer working in the film and branded content industry currently based in LA. She is the co-owner of Valagardo Productions along with her husband Blake Vaz. She has helped produce Valagardo's latest projects including the short films MATCHES and L.U.N.A., the branded content docuseries MICHELOB ULTRA ORGULLOSO SESSIONS which she also co-wrote, and helped produce a couple of commercials for HYUNDAI. Violeta is currently co-writting along with Blake their first feature JAUNE, a giallo influenced modern horror film.
ANDREA FELIU, PRODUCER
Andrea Feliu is a Mexican-American producer and photographer based out of Los Angeles. In less than three years Andrea hit the ground as a photographer for Hispanic multimedia companies and producing short docs, promos and social media content for clients like Mcdonalds, Tecate and MTV. Andrea recently received a certification from the New York Film Academy for the Film and TV Producing Program. She was part of the producing team that made the short film “Matches” currently in post production and the award winning short film “The Climbing Perch”. Andrea and the Valagardo Productions family are now gearing up to shoot this new short Film “Valentina”.
These are just some of the key players already on board, we are working on expanding our team in front and behind the camera with more talented and diverse people in the coming weeks.