LIMPIANDO SAPOS Directed By Vero Shamo-Garcia

Shane: Tell us about your film?

Vero: “Limpiando Sapos” is the story of a 13 year old girl who volunteers to join the Colombian Guerrilla to protect her younger brother but falls in love with their believes.

S: How did you come up with the idea for the film?

V: I’m originally from Ecuador, South America and during a trip to visit my family came across a family from northern Ecuador who told me her son was recruited by the Colombian Guerrilla.  I started doing research and came with the idea.

S: Was this a school project?

V: Yes, Graduate Thesis film for USC.

S: How did you find your cast? 

V: They were all non-actors.  I found them in schools and by word of mouth.

S: How long did the film take?  (From conception to final edit)

V: 9 months

S: What was the most difficult part of the shoot for you?

V: The fact that I had to do most of my pre-production from Los Angeles and I had to do all the rest in Ecuador in less than two weeks prior to my first shooting day.

S: Tell us about the films festival experience so far?

V: It won the Director’s Guild of America Student Award – Latino Category

It won the Producing Award and USC’s First Look 2.0 film Festival

It won “Best Lead Actrees” at Malibu Film Festival

It was an official selection for “Miami International FF,” Cleveland International FF,” Newport Beach FF,”
”Santa Cruz International FF.” for a complete list please visit our website www.limpiandosapos.com

S: What has been your most interesting Q&A so far?  What was your favorite question?  How was the dialogue afterwards?

V: I think I enjoyed all questions regarding my future.  It gives me the freedom to explain what my plans are and how I’m planning to achieve those as well as it let’s me advertise any idea I may have without it sounding out of place.  The best Q& A’s are usually the ones that start with the host’s questions.  Since they know the films better, those questions tend to be more helpful for the filmmaker.

In most cases, after the Q&A people feel free to come by and ask more questions.  I’ve had people given me cards and set up meetings to discuss future projects, but that is usually rare.

S: What films or filmmakers inspire you?

V: I enjoy all films that deal with real characters and issues.  “Central Station” is one of my favorite films.  I love films that have kids as their main characters.  I love Brazilian filmmaking in general.

S: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?

V: In my country there was little to none film production, but a low budget feature was being shot and I had a small role in it.  I was more intrigued with what was going on behind the camera than in front.  I decided that is what I wanted to do.  Unfortunately like I said there wasn’t filmmaking in my country, at the time, so I had to take Television Broadcasting classes and it wasn’t until I got a scholarship to come to the US that I was finally doing what I love.

 S: What is next for you? 

V: I finished writing the feature version of “Limpiando Sapos.” I am looking to finance the film and in the meantime writing my third feature script. 

S: What is next for the film?

V: The film just started it’s festival circuit so it will continue until the end of the year.

S: If asked to give one piece of advice to a new filmmaker making their first short film… What would it be?

V: Make it simple, and short.