Categories: Television

Javier Armijo – Lessons From The Shoot: Filmmaker Reflects On Doc Feature, Chasing Red

Two consecutive summers put filmmaker Javier Armijo overseas for what would be his first major cinematic effort as a camera operator on an indie documentary feature, Chasing Red. The film follows four participants of the venerable tradition of running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. “There was no pay, but free airfare, a place to stay, and the opportunity to work on a project in Spain, where my heritage hails from. How could I say no?” Nabbing the job from a Craigslist posting, Javier knew it was meant for him. “Director/producer Dennis Clancey wanted someone who could bring their own equipment. I knew that was me, and being a native Spanish speaker helped seal the deal.”

Javier Armijo is quick to point out that Chasing Red was his first major project and also his most challenging to date. “I was carrying very heavy cargo on an international journey, the documentary coverage required 24/7 attention because the festival in Pamplona, known as Fiesta De San Fermin, lasts for 10 consecutive days. You have to struggle with inebriated crowds throughout the night and piously dedicated runners early in the morning. We also needed to focus on 4 characters who represented a cross-section of runners– an experienced runner who teaches the art to tourists, a native Spaniard who feels mystically connected to the event, a Chicago area writer and boxer who feels the same and a  visual artist coming to experience the mystique of running with the bulls for the first time.”

Armijo offers advice to anyone planning an overseas shoot: “I wish I had known to register my equipment with US Customs before departure, upon re-entry, they assumed I purchased my equipment overseas. They let it slide, but it could have been an issue. Having press passes was profoundly helpful. It helped to distinguish you from just another in the crowd; sometimes it drew attention from wayward tourists trying to get on TV, but it gave you access to locations on the run-route for great shots. I had to learn to always be ready. There’s so much going on, it’s easy to miss great opportunities. A run-and-gun set up with good audio is essential.”

The film finally made its premiere in 2015 at the LA Indie Film Festival, where it was coveted with their highest honor, Best of Fest, 2015.  “It was an honor to be involved,” reflects Armijo, “I look forward to returning to Pamplona someday, but probably when the festival is not going on. It’s a quaint, beautiful and quiet town, believe it or not.”

https://www.chasingredmovie.com/

https://vimeo.com/photopolari

Matthew Gregor
Published by
Matthew Gregor

Recent Posts

Apple Starts Selling News Ads Directly on Apple News App as Its Advertising Goals Expand

Apple seems determined to expand its advertising arm, as seen by its decision to offer… Read More

6 hours ago

Successful Small Business Marketing Strategies to Market Your Brand

Without a strong marketing plan, a company's excellent product that helps satisfy customer wants would… Read More

23 hours ago

WhatsApp will Finally Allow You to Unsubscribe from Spam about Business Marketing

WhatsApp Business has expanded to over 200 million monthly users over the past few years.… Read More

24 hours ago

Odroo: Revolutionizing the Market with Exciting Partnerships and a Pan-India Launch in 2025

Odroo partners with BigTree Entertainment and Zomato, enters the event ticketing space ahead of Pan-India… Read More

1 day ago

Whale Chanel: The Rising Star of Iranian Music Captivating Millions Worldwide

Whale Chanel, a 19-year-old Iranian musician, has emerged as a standout figure in the global… Read More

1 day ago

Google Launches New Tools to Improve Online and In-store Shopping Experiences with AI-powered Features

Google announced the launch of artificial intelligence-powered features in Google Lens, Google Maps, and Google… Read More

1 day ago