How to make a film: “Gazpacho” day two

Andrés Pérez
Nov 6 · 3 min read

This is an account of making my first feature film. Let’s learn how to make one together.

storyboard frame from “Gazpacho”

David Lynch mentioned in his Master Class that all you need is 70 scenes and you have a film.

I have around 40 scenes thought out. They are in storyboard format. I am a visual person, so I tend to sketch things out first. I have rewritten the short-film screenplay for “Gazpacho” several times with a multitude of revisions. Luckily, the ending is still the same. Turning it into a feature requires that I create many more characters and scenes. Yes, there will be much writing in the near future.

There is a boxing scene in the movie, so I am heading to scout a boxing ring this afternoon. If I am able to sign an agreement with the gym, I will also make sure to get the right to use it for a short film that I am producing for a client. The name of that film is “Triunfo.” I am writing that screenplay also. That production will be in the can much earlier than “Gazpacho.”

The difference between the two movies is huge.

Let’s take a look at the use of the boxing ring for example. The scene in “Triunfo” is life or death of a dream — very serious. The scene for “Gazpacho” is an absolute circus with drag queens included. One of my drag queen friends asked to be in the movie. I said why not. It will be a hilarious set up that will keep the audience choking on laughter.


I am waiting for a client to drop by the studio to go scouting.

We are taking a short walk to the boxing gym. It is a few blocks away. That is what I call luck. I was originally calling gyms that were on the south side of the city. I don’t know if this is true of every city—but the ones that I lived in—the south side is always seedy and dangerous. Guayaquil follows this same principle. That is why I am very glad that the ring close to the studio, only a few blocks away. It is a super-safe neighborhood.

This film is having good fortune so far.

While at the gym I will do a sound test, take photos, and observe the lighting. I will also feel the energy of the place. If it goes as planned, I will be one day closer to production. This is an independent film and I am funding it myself, so I am hoping to do a barter agreement with the owner. I noticed that he has very few videos on his website. And the few he has are of poor quality.

This opens up an opportunity.


We can both benefit from this agreement.

The gym’s owner gets a professional quality promo-video and I get my location for the boxing scenes in “Gazpacho” and “Triunfo.”

If I like the gym enough, I might just sign up. Now that would be a nice surprise as I am bored stiff with my current gym. In Chicago, I belonged to POW. I trained in boxing and Krav Maga. It would be nice to get involved with a Martial Art again.

Got to run, until tomorrow.


If you are interested in some visual fun — join me on YouTube.

Andrés Pérez

Written by

I am a designer. I use these skills in my art, writing, and film. My ever-evolving website: perezamigos.com

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