Interview: Bernie Garcia

We spoke exclusively with Director / Producer Bernie Garcia about his short film ‘Ariel’ and whats next…

Starting in the film Industry as a young actor, Bernie fostered a passion for the art of Cinema through the camaraderie and collaborative nature of the medium, His groundbreaking article “Scrying A Someday” was the introductory/flagship article for “The Guild of Future Architects” (a collaborative of MIT/The Sundance Institute) and is a rallying cry for artists everywhere to embrace leadership roles within their communities and to tell engaging stories that matter. His film ‘Ariel’ is about how “Love Perseveres. Three unlikely friends with special needs challenge societal expectations and form an unbreakable bond, but when the nonverbal member of the group misses a message from the guy who loves her before he passes away from a heart condition, their friendship is put to the ultimate test.”

The film screened privately at an event hosted by V School during the Sundance Film Festival and Tech Week in Utah, starring Brianna Oppenheimer as the voice of Ariel and featuring an original song by Peter “Wolfeman” Wolfe and Patrick “Brummel” Balfe, the film is scored by his brother Gerry Garcia. Their sister Ariel Garcia who acts in the film was born with Autism, Epilepsy, and T.S. (Tuberous Sclerosis). Her parents were told, on the day of her birth, that she would not make it through the day and that they should prepare her funeral arrangements. When she made it through the night, they said she wouldn’t make it past the week. When she proved the doctors wrong, yet again, they still persisted that she wouldn’t live past the age of six. Lo and behold, she is 31 years old today and is a Special Olympic gold medalist for swimming. Non verbal and neurodivergent, Ariel has a unique and keen emotional and spiritual prowess that is highlighted in this moving short drama film.

What sparked the initial idea for your short film?

Bernie: I’m inspired by the beauty that exists within both the infinite/finite and its consequential relationship to the glorious and tragic, and I feel that every film that is really saying something explores those thin lines meticulously, while meditating upon the subconscious of the duality that is the human experience.

Artists have always been inspired by the creative energy that coincides with the feminine divine. It makes total sense then that in terms of cinema,  it is almost always captivating to witness the women in film  assuming their power as a true force of nature within the realm that is the silver screen. Look, the only true creative force that exists in this universe are women.  And to see a female as the protagonist/heroine has just always been cool to watch and I really just wanted to make a film about people who are heroic to me. I hope “Ariel” can be a love letter to the special needs community that does them justice. Beyond that, we have to make art that aspires to confront our own fears of love, loss and mortality while simultaneously celebrating those people and sublime stimuli that is Mother Earth who/which is what personality inspires me the most. This cast and crew and especially my sister Ariel are also a massive part of my inspiration.

What message or themes do you hope to convey through this film?

Bernie: Tomorrow is never promised.  And the things left unsaid are always what haunt us the most. Although we can all be scared to break down communication barriers and especially those that we self-perceive, it’s our duty as human beings to do so ESPECIALLY if we have the communication tools to do so. I mean, let’s build a bridge of understanding to those who might communicate differently than us.

What creative influences shaped your vision for the film? 

Bernie: I wanted to make a film that is somewhere  between a memory and a dream, that “neverland”….I guess it is what exists between when you sleep and when you wake…something between fantasy and reality that blurs reality and poetic license. Quite simply, visually a syncretic endeavor that is somewhere between a home movie and an art film.

Music, prose and poetry first and foremost inspires what I see, which in turn shapes my vision/decision process in regards to making a film. Since it’s such a personal and intimate film, it only made sense to have my Brother Gerry score the film. I’m really especially thankful to the legendary Peter Wolfe for contributing “The Morning Needs You”. For me, that song truly encompasses love lost.

What were the biggest challenges you faced during production, and how did you overcome them? 

Bernie: To be honest, this is one of the smoothest sets that I’ve ever had the pleasure to work on. My Director of Photography Eric Anthony Butz and my first Assistant camera Marcus Parker worked incredibly fast. I’m really thankful that we are getting a lot of love especially in the cinematography realm from the way we shot this in a guerrilla style that seamlessly blended with the remarkable colour that Patrick Newman did.. We just had some great guys/gals and post production with Joe, Josh and Brian was really coordinated smoothly. Having Caroline and Brianna in my corner was incredibly important to me as to keep me focused. I’m just thankful to everyone for real. I guess the challenge with independent cinema is always taking your time and making sure that something is right. I am especially thankful for V-School in Utah for supporting by organizing a private screening during Sundance festival and Utah tech week.

What surprised you the most during the filmmaking process? 

Bernie: As we got closer to finishing filming,  I really started to process how Matt’s story is so incredibly remarkable while simultaneously discovering his brilliance and insights on art, films and life.

How did you work with your actors to bring their characters to life? 

Bernie: I’m really fortunate and blessed to have had this cast that exhibits a genuine and unsurpassed purity within their souls. As artists we all aim to relay or portray the ethereal and the transcendent.  But these folkx exude all that without much direction tbh and that made my job that much easier.

What role did cinematography and editing play in shaping the narrative? 

Bernie: Visually, I wanted to do something that was reminiscent and syncretic of a home movie meets art film. Since the cast of Ariel are portraying themselves, I felt this blended well  with the amalgamation of art imitating life or vice versa. 

From a technical standpoint and Man I wish Eric was here right now… We shot on a variety of iPhones, a Nikon and a Sony. To give that surreal feel, our colourist Patrick Newman worked with our pastel color palette/LUT to achieve something of a Fantasia; again the goal was between a daydream and a faded memory.

What are your future filmmaking aspirations? 

Bernie: My plans for future projects include a few feature film projects in the works such as a sports drama with some heavy hitters which I’m really excited about.

Right now, I am working with some key animal rights groups to get “Lagloom” crowdfunded and released. The documentary explores the collective psyche and societal sickness that exists within sub-standard roadside zoos, this one in particular existing at Lagoon Amusement Park just outside of Salt Lake City. https://berniegarcia.com/lagloom/

Ultimately, we are planning on submitting “Ariel” to festivals worldwide and I hope the film helps folkx understand the amazing special needs community a bit better at the end of the day.

What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers who want to create their own short films?

Bernie: I don’t know if I’m someone to go to for advice, but before I give advice, I’d wanna ask some questions first.

Why do you want to make a film? Are those reasons rooted in selfishness or selflessness?

What are you willing to sacrifice in your life for the right to make a film?

Where is their personal “red line” in regards to preserving their vision and integrity?

I think if they have solid and noble answers to those questions then they should pick up a camera and make something. Anything. And once you do so, you’re no longer an aspiring filmmaker. You ARE a filmmaker and you can hold your head nice and high and have pride that you made something. And hopefully, that film you made will stand for and mean something to you and others forever. 

How can people support the film Ariel? 

Bernie: Since independent filmmaking is resource intensive, we do encourage everyone to go to www.berniegarcia.com/ariel and donate whatever you can to help us submit to as many festivals as possible. The film’s fiscal sponsorship funding is managed by The Utah Film Center a nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of the moving image through film exhibition, media arts education, and artist support to connect with communities around Utah. It’s important for those with special needs to see themselves represented in art as societal heroes while educating able bodied folkx on the feelings and complexity of such a wonderful community.