I am a 19 year old Filmmaker. Actor and Photographer from Los Angeles. He wrote, directed and starred in BLASÉ L.A. BLASÉ L.A. is a semi-autobiographical debut feature film. It follows the exploits of a group of millennials growing up in selfie-obsessed Los Angeles. Emmanuel had been a visual artist and photographer. He shot everything from Fashion to Landscapes and everything in between. He has directed, acted in plays prior to his film project, BLAZÉ L.A..
indieactivity: Did you study what you do?
Emmanuel Osorio (EO): I was not fortunate to go to a film school. But at a very early age, I studied Cinema and Composition and Acting personally. I took soaked up knowledge through the Lens of my camera. I studied Stanley Kubrick, Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese. In High School, I studied Acting and Theater which became my foundation. When it time came to write my first screenplay, I knew how to break down characters and storylines.
What is your filmmaking process?
Emmanuel Osorio (ES): I am self-taught. I spent a time studying documentaries on key filmmakers and how they make their films. I focused on Behind the Scenes featurettes of films (award winning). So, I could put together my own method of moviemaking.
My first short film was in high school. I learned the basics of filmmaking. I familiarized myself with film technology and making a film. A director’s work involves bringing his vision to life. I think logically, that’s been a guide to problem-solving on set. That is the key to making a good film. Logic and Problem-solving.
Tell us about the work you have directed?
Emmanuel Osorio (ES): Before my first feature film, I had made a short in high school. Which gave me the chance to experience every aspect of making a film hands on. I knew that I wanted to take that knowledge and put it to use by making a full length feature. Short films are great but have limited exposure. They usually end up on YouTube. I want people to watch my films in the Cinema. So, I felt as if it was my duty to take on the challenge. I want to create magic for the big screen so everyone can enjoy in a theater setting.
Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Emmanuel Osorio (ES): I was not able to go to film school. So, everything I learned I had to be resourceful and learn everything on my own. I am ok with it, because I am very much a self-taught driven person. If I had the chance to go to film school, I absolutely would. Because, even though I have learned a lot on my own. I feel that there is a certain structure that you develop from a classroom atmosphere.
How do you combine directing and writing?
Emmanuel Osorio (ES): I am lucky enough to be the writer and the director of my film BLASÉ L.A.. So, if anything needs to be changed during the directing process, I can make crucial adjustments. This without having to get authorization from anyone other than myself, the artist.
How did you get into the film business?
Emmanuel Osorio (ES): I studied Business & Entrepreneurship at the California State University of Channel Islands. It is located in a quiet and secluded part of Camarillo. I began to miss the L.A. vibe. It felt that I was missing that spark of creativity” that you get from living in the city. I came back to L.A. with a fresh perspective of art and film. That, I was eager to pour into my screenplay which ultimately became BLASÉ L.A.
How do you turn an idea in a screenplay?
Emmanuel Osorio (ES): My film is semi-autobiographical, so I was able to take many of my own stories and images in my head and bring them to life in the writing process. The biggest difficulty was hand selecting certain experiences that I wanted to showcase in my first film. Some situations I saved for future projects. So once I decided on the material, the screenplay pretty wrote itself.
Explain your writing process?
Emmanuel Osorio (ES): When it comes to creating, I am very visual. I usually start with drawings and vision boards. Then I can map out a blueprint into a storyline and then focus on dialog once I have the scenes and situations on paper.
What writing tip or ideas can you give young writers?
Emmanuel Osorio (ES): My advice would be to go online and read scripts from your favorite films and scripts from movies that have won Academy Awards so you can see what made them the masterpieces they are today. You can analyze and dissect them to utilize their techniques towards writing your own masterpiece.
What is it like working in the Hollywood system?
Emmanuel Osorio (ES): For me, being only 19 years old, I have a lot more to prove to people that my peers that are older than me. A lot of people I have come across in the industry are impressed at my drive and determination, but I feel that I have to show people that I am serious about my craft and age does not matter when it comes to creating art.
What do you want to change about the film business?
Emmanuel Osorio (ES): I want to create more opportunities and open doors for minorities like myself so everyone can have a chance to tell their amazing stories and not have to worry about getting permission from a studio that may feel like there is no audience out there interested in these stories. I feel that we all have experiences that can be told in so many ways either in the form of a book, film, or television, but I want to be the one to show people that if I can do it this early in life, so can they!
How do you want to be remembered?
Emmanuel Osorio (ES): I want my films, my art and my legacy to be an example for many generations to come. These days, there are so many outlets for films to be streamed online, so a lot of recent films tend to get buried and overlooked. There is an over-saturation of unnecessary re-makes and film projects that are forgettable after the first viewing. I want my future films to consist of eclectic stories that will make waves and create lasting impressions in people’s minds that will require multiple viewings for years to come.
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