María José Ferreiro y Peter Bellorin
The children’s and youth series July & Naoh, La Serie (8×30’), created and written by María José Ferreiro and directed by Peter Bellorin, president of Theatrical Film (Miami), began filming in Caracas, Venezuela on Monday 17.
“We worked on several elements that for me as a screenwriter were key. Today in the market there is a need for fresh content and we have been working on a combination of genres that when you manage them very well the structure and the story is well told, they work wonderfully, not only at a local level but at a market level” said Ferreiro.
The series revolves around July and Naoh, two girls of 9 and 10 years old, from different worlds and different ways of being, who have to live together as a family and find common ground in sharing their dreams: music. And it is in their school where they develop their talent. However, the school hides a secret.
“Being a series, it allows us to mix genres. We have a drama story with endearing characters surrounded by conflicts and relationships, but it also has comedy and family situations adding a touch of suspense. It is a story of adventures, through the eyes of these girls and the adults in their environment. We have been able to create a universe that promises a lot: entertainment, message, and high competition in the market” explained Ferreiro.
Ferreiro has worked with veterans of the industry such as Samuel Duque from TIS, Jorge Félix, and Pepe Sánchez; the latter advised her to add a secret to the story and season it very well. That advice is in this story. There is a secret that creates dramatic and suspenseful situations, resolved with humor”. “We have created an entertainment product made with love, local and premium production values for the international market.”
Regarding the production, Bellorín said that they will use four to five main locations, with three cameras (Red Epic-Weapon Helium) in 6 and 8K, 6K drones, Ronin II, wireless FF, wireless monitoring, and Dolly machines. A team of 40 to 50 people will work on the shooting.
The goal of Bellorin is to produce a pilot and show it first to three key groups that they already have defined. He estimates that they can have a screen or groups interested before the end of the year. “Venezuela is the main location, but the goal is streaming. We are going to take it with the groups that handle music and production,” he said.
He mentioned that the series will have original songs, “a very interesting musical line that is one of the important elements of the series.”
July&Naoh, the series has as main executive producers Lilian Vélez and Julio César González. The assistant director is Alcione Guerrero; the production director is Carlos Luis Betancourt and the production manager is Rothman Mancera.
In addition to the two main characters -July and Naoh-, the cast includes Tania Sarabia, Pedro Medida, Fernanda Zabian, Antonio Cuevas, Silvana Continanza, Wilmer Ramírez, Asdrúbal Blanco, Eduardo Mendoza, Mariely Santamaría, Thiago Guitalt, and Sofía Monsalve.
“I love this kind of work on demand that for me is a challenge. I had never worked on a story where the core was children. It has been a creative challenge that enriches and evolves the career of any screenwriter. I like to step outside of my comfort zone,” said Ferreiro.
“It is a dream to produce in Venezuela and can be done well. This will be a showcase telling the world that here we are and good things can be done in Venezuela,” concluded Bellorin.
More info. @theatricalfilmart
