I like the TV Workshop!

Hello! On this occasion I want to tell you about my favorite subject of this semester. This is the Television production workshop, here we perform practical exercises related to TV broadcasting which includes camera angles, execution times of each segment or guides, lighting and set design. What's more, our final exam will be the realization of a live program that will be called "Vacas Sagradas" or "Sacred Cows" in which will discuss the current state of Chilean cinema through interviews with various filmmakers at the national level, including notes related to the locations where some tapes were recorded and the recognition by the spectators of some Chilean films.

The class is made by professor Javier Kappes, a renowned TV director who participated in various productions such as "Machos", "Sabor a ti" and the reality show "Protagonistas de la fama". In addition, he was director of the successful series "Los Venegas", therefore, I consider him a disciplined person with a great knowledge in what he does. This workshop has allowed me to know a field that until that moment I did not know that is the television and how it is possible to produce a television program with the pressure and the agility that that implies, ensuring that the final product is of great quality and so can cross it the viewers.

An Expert on my Field

I have never felt admiration for anyone in particular, however, what I do feel is respect for a person thanks to his dedication and vocation in what is. I mean one of my many university teachers, Mr. Carlos Ossa. I don't know anything about your personal life, but I know he is the son of Carlos Ossa Coo, one of the most important film critics in the history of our country and author of the book "Historia del Cine Chileno". He is a recognized art theorist and journalist with postgraduate studies at the University of Chile. The reason why I consider myself a relevant person during my training as an audiovisual director and filmmaker is because his art studies have alowed me to discover beyond what we see on the aestetic level and to better understand the world in which we live. At first, I did not take much of it, but throughout my career I discovered interesting things and I feel lucky to have had classes with him. It isn't my mentor, but it is a guide for all who want learn about art history.

My favorite music band

I really like listening to music of different styles. Besides that, I have several singers and bands that I like, but if I had to choose one, I would definitely choose Queen, as they are considered as a true rock legend that marked a complete generation with a musical style unique and unmistakable, emphasizing its musical diversity, its vocal harmonies and its instrumental arrangements. This group was born in England at the end of the 60's and began to become known internationally during the 70's.

I remember the first song I heard from Queen was "Bohemian Rhapsody" when she was very young. At that time it became one of my favorite songs, and at the same time I consider it an autentic masterpiece because of the complexity of its structure and the variety of styles that can be found in a single song. Within his repertoire, we can also find memorable songs like "We Are the Champions", "Under Pressure" or "Don't Stop me Now", songs that are part of my daily playlist.

Of course, the legacy left Freddie Mercury (vocalist and leader of the band died 25 years ago) will remain forever in the history of music.

My Favorite Photograph

From a very young age I have been an amateur photographer and in recent years I have perfected my visual perspective through my university studies and on my own initiative. That is why, on this occasion, I want to present one of my favorite photographs. This photograph was taken by renowned Chilean photographer Sergio Larraín (who was the first photographer in our country to join the prestigious agency Magnum) and corresponds to a series of photographs taken during the 50s and 60s in the port of Valparaiso. In it there are 2 women walking down some stairs that have the equivalent of the typical ones that we can find in the hills of this beautiful city.

This photograph I like because it represents the daily life of the port that is reflected in its stairs, streets and elevators, which is faithfully portrayed by Sergio Larraín in each of his works.

My favorite festivity

One of my favorite festivities is, without a doubt, the national holidays that are celebrated every September, bearing the name of the "month of the country". The origin of this celebration is to commemorate the creation of the First National "Junta de Gobierno" (and not the Independence of Chile as many believe) carried out on September 18th, 1810, which was the first indication of the conversion to a sovereign, free and independent state. That open council was preceded by Mateo de Toro y Zambrano and it was the episode that initiated the process of independence.

This celebration was also useful to show the best of our traditions, for example the typical foods like the oven empanadas, corn cake, kebab and choripán. To drink we find chicha and the popular terremoto, a mixture made with Pipeño wine, pineapple ice cream and grenadine or fernet to taste. It's a real treat! Among the traditional games we find the emboque, elevate kites or "volantines", the greasy stick and hopscotch.

I like to celebrate this holiday because we bring the whole family together and have a great time. More than a patriotic sense, it is the best excuse to get together and share.

My favorite device

Hi everyone!

Without a doubt, technology is already part of our lives and have simplified many functions of our day to day. One of my favorite technology device is a mobile phone or "smartphone" and thanks to it I can be online, anywhere. Through my smartphone I can take good pictures with professional quality, listening to my favorite music, be up to date on everything that is happening in news as well as stay always connected with my family and friends and interact with them. Also share my moments in the social networks as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The smartphone I'm using now I bought it in June to update the old one that was too old and too slow, so I decided to change it for a more powerful device and better. As a matter of fact I spend more time on the phone than on the computer.

Obviously, the smartphone is a complement of my daily life, so if you find me stuck on the phone and you want to talk to me face to face, don't panic, just say hello and let's talk!

Why I chose to study Filmmaking?

Hello!

It is a long story, but I try to be brief because it is a little embarrassing to talk about these issues, but I remember it as a beautiful anecdote. When I was a child, my dad had an old camcorder which I took it off sometimes when he was not in the house. I recorded anything that crossed in front me, from a flower in the courtyard to the bathroom. 

Later, when I grew up, my parents bought a photographic camera and it is exactly the same as when I began to watch TV programs and I played to have my own TV show with my cousin and some friends. 

Soon, in the secondary, I was in charge of making videos for different contests that were made on the anniversary of my high school. Maybe, those were some of the reasons why I decided to study audiovisual career. I was in the last year of secondary, when I discovered the Cinema and TV career at the University of Chile and said: "I absolutely liked it", although I don't consider myself an inveterate cinephile, but it was an excellent opportunity to learn more about this art and develop what I liked: the image and the sound. 

I'm now in the fourth year of the career and don't regret the choice I made.

My Autobiography

Hello! This is my first post in this semester.

My name is Nicolás Soto Guerra. I am 4th year Cinema and TV student at the University of Chile. I was born on the last day of November, 1994 in my home city of Puerto Montt, located 1000 km from the capital, in southern Chile. I have an older sister, and my parents work in the field of education.

I have many hobbies, I like to play the piano, play soccer occasionally, take photos, watch TV series and movies. Maybe that was what motivated me to start studying cinema in 2013, but that had as consequences leaving my family and friends and learn to live alone in Santiago. The first year was difficult, but that was no impediment to continue to study the career I love the most.

Welcome!!!

Hello!

Welcome to my English III blog! My name is Nicolás Soto. I'm a fourth year Cinema and TV student at the University of Chile. I like English, because it is a very complete language and allows to discover new experiences. I often listen to music in English, my favorite band is Coldplay, Queen and The Beatles, as well as I watch movies in English but with Spanish subtitles. The most difficult aspect of English for me is the speech and articulate suitably the words. This problems is resolved only by studying and learning.