Help Me Write My Feature Film in Guatemala!

Help me Write my Feature Film in Guatemala!

Hola Hola!

ABOUT ME

My name is Wesley Rodriguez and I'm a Cuban-Guatemalan Writer, director, and cinematographer from Los Angeles, California. Under the mentorship of Werner Herzog, I directed Pa’lante, an award-winning short film shot on location in Cuba.

I am a STARZ #TakeTheLead Writing Fellow, GFS LA Frieze Award Fellow, Hola Mexico Tomorrow’s Filmmaker’s Today Fellow, DGA John Frankenheimer Fellow, and a NALIP Latino Media Market TV Writing Fellow. I earned my MFA in Film and Television Production at USC. Formerly, I was a film mentor and educator for the Latino Film Institute’s Youth Cinema Project under Edward James Olmos.

MY MISSION

As a first-generation American with Guatemalan roots, I have been in search of finding my place in the world. Never felt quite American enough or quite Guatemalan or Cuban enough. I hope to come away with a deeper and richer understanding of where I come from.

Along with writing a feature film that takes place in Guatemala, I have aspirations of creating a non-profit organization that helps underprivileged youth gain access to resources like film education, mentorship, and equipment to inspire and empower the next generation of Guatemalan artists.

I see Guatemala as a place to create a foundation for dreamers like myself to persevere in creative arts such as filmmaking and creative writing. I’d spend my time during the residency researching and immersing myself in the culture, journaling my thoughts, and feelings, and channeling that into poetry and creative writing.

I am currently in development writing a feature film about love, soulmates, and the Mayan cosmovision found in the natural world that lies deep within Mundo Perdido, Tikal. It's Past Lives meets Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind with a Mayan Twist.

I see the two weeks of the residency as a time to focus on my humanity and to open my soul and my heart to a new, but familiar world.

How your donations will be implemented:

$1000 for 2 weeks cost of Artist Residency:

~$750 for Travel costs (including airfare, ground transportation around Guatemala, and Park fees )

~$500 Food and water for 2 weeks.

~$250 Contingency for any emergency.

If we reach above the minimum $2500, the donations will be used to create a "proof of concept" short film shot in Guatemala as I will be bringing some camera gear along with me.

Any donation helps! Thank you so much for your support!!