Harlem Hostel

"Jail" scences................

2006-02-05T20:08:00.000-05:00

Rick's (Steven Leon) character is detained when he unlawfully leaves the Marines. These jail scenes were shot at The Queens Detention Center, Flushing, Queens.

Gotta have a "BODEGA" scene!

2006-02-03T22:27:00.000-05:00

A New York-Latino produced film has to include "the bodega" (grocery store) scene, otherwise it wouldn't be Latino after all!! Many thanks to our bodega friends nd their patrons in Astoria, Queens..

Filmmaker Magazine Announces Production of Harlem Hostel

2005-11-05T21:33:00.000-05:00

Writer Mary Glucksman from Filmmaker Magazine announces the production of Harlem Hostel in her column "IN FOCUS". Check us out in the Fall 2005 issue!!!

MR. MOCTESUMA ESPARZA COMES ON BOARD as EXECUTIVE PRODUCER!!!

2005-11-01T21:44:00.000-05:00

Moctesuma Esparza from MAYA PICTURES, who produced such Hollywood hits as "Selena" (starring Jennifer Lopez), and "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge" (starring Halle Berry, who earned a Golden Globe win in 2002 for this role), has come on board as Executive Producer of HARLEM HOSTEL...........Welcome on Board Sir!

CAST AND CREW ENJOY A BBQ ON THE MAYOR OF NYC

2005-08-15T15:28:00.000-04:00

Chillin' at Gracie Mansion.

COMEDY LIVES....IN HARLEM HOSTEL

2005-07-27T12:03:00.000-04:00

Actor/Comedian Ruperto Vanderpool, (in pink and light blue top) who plays the role of John (Ben and Julie's colleague at the Magazine) kept it REAL!! There were many, many laughs on the set and which were not exactly scripted.

OUR THANKS TO InDigEnt

2005-07-27T10:37:00.000-04:00

InDigEnt, which stands for Independent Digital Entertainment is coming on board with post production services for Harlem Hostel. InDigEnt is dedicated to exploratory digital digital cinema, drawing on established screenwriters, directors and actors. Many thanks to the InDigEnt team: Gary Winick, John Sloss, Jake Abraham, Mandy Tagger and Emily Gardiner, for all your support of this project!!!!

Unofficially Wrapped

2005-07-26T17:02:00.000-04:00

This is my very first blog so I don't even know if it'll go through. So it's more of a test than anything. Right now it's 5pm on Tuesday 7/26 and we're unofficially wrapped. Looking to finish this weekend with God's help. I'm tired right now but feel good about what we have so far. I'll continue to write my journal here so keep posted.

IN BETWEEN TAKES.....

2005-07-24T13:23:00.000-04:00

Actors, bonded, laughed and learned about each other throughout this 20 day production. There was a lot of support and respect for one another, the "craft" as well as the crew, which collectively made it happen!!!

CHANNELING HER INNER "ROSIE THE RIVETER" (WW II- "We Can Do It" Poster)

2005-07-24T11:54:00.000-04:00

Lauren Howe, affectionately referred to as "Mini Grip" (worked as a GRIP on the film production) re-enacts the popular J.H. Miller, Women in WW II poster..."We Can Do It". KICK ASS WOMEN!!!

A DIRECTOR'S VISION

2005-07-23T23:23:00.000-04:00

Writer/Director/Producer Nestor Miranda (above in white top), is very passionate about his vision...throughout the production, both cast and crew developed a very close relationship with Miranda, allowing them to adopt the Directors vision of Harlem Hostel. Miranda is very happy with the results of the production and very soon you will all have the opportunity of getting a peak at Miranda's second Independent feature film project: HARLEM HOSTEL!!!!

Sourire a l'appareil-photo (smile for the camera)

2005-07-20T10:34:00.000-04:00

Actors, Giovanni (left), Lara (middle) and Isabela (right) play the roles of FRENCH tourists who are staying at the Hostel. True to the nature of a Hostel, tourists from all around the globe will make a stop at the "HARLEM HOSTEL".

TAKING A BREAK....

2005-07-20T00:29:00.000-04:00

It's not all fun and games....it's more like long days (12 to 15 hours), hot summer weather, and A LOT of HARD WORK. It takes a VERY COMMITTED, CAST and CREW to make it HAPPEN. THANKS GUYS!!!!

THIRST QUENCHERS....

2005-07-19T23:59:00.000-04:00

There is nothing like ICELAND SPRING water and NEW LEAF beverages to battle the thirst and HOT and HUMID weather we got today. Director, Nestor Miranda (to the left) and actor, Steven Leon (to the right) make a TOAST TO HARLEM HOSTEL...

LIGHTS, CAMERA.....ACTION

2005-07-19T20:39:00.000-04:00

On average about 4 to 6 scenes are shot daily during a 12 to 16 hour period (give or take).

GOING OVER THE SCENES....

2005-07-19T17:20:00.000-04:00

Director Nestor Miranda (wearing baseball cap, to the right) and 1st. A.D., Carrie Leigh go over details, lighting, and set-up to be shot for the next scene, outside the hostel.

BOYS WILL BE BOYS

2005-07-18T19:45:00.000-04:00

There is nothing like guys and their brand spankin' new kicks....complements of our apparel sponsor, "PHAT FARM". In the film, Ramon Rodriguez' character, WILL (to the right, in red top) is a sneaker fanatic!! This is very likely a case where "LIFE imitates ART"!! check out the "old school" pose.
(Actors: Juan Sanchez/left and Ramon Rodriguez/right).

"BACKSTAGE" will be listing HARLEM HOSTEL this WEDNESDAY, 7/20

2005-07-18T19:11:00.000-04:00

"BACKSTAGE" the performing arts resource, will be running a listing of Harlem Hostel this Wednesday, 7/20.

MAKE-UP DOES WONDERS.....

2005-07-17T19:25:00.000-04:00

Klaudia (on the right), our hair and make-up artist, with ZALIA COSMETICS on hand is on set touching up our actors as they deal with 95 degree weather and loads of lighting. Could of fooled you, huh????....don't they look CAMERA READY??

"THE PARTY SCENE"

2005-07-17T04:12:00.000-04:00

We rounded up some of the "Sugar Hill International House" Hostel guests, actors and extras for this scene. Inside it felt like 110 degrees, but this crowd kept it NICE and COOL...THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT CAME OUT for THE "HARLEM GONE WILD" scene....as we "affectionately" named it that night.

ACTORS doing WHAT ACTORS do....

2005-07-17T03:59:00.000-04:00

STUDYING THEIR LINES!!!

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE LIGHTING FOLKS

2005-07-16T19:03:00.000-04:00

Lighting can set the tone of a movie and the Harlem Hostel production team thrives on getting this right for every scene. These guys and gals will go "sky high" to make that happen....literally.

AT THE END OF THE DAY..... A "WRAP, is not just A WRAP"

2005-07-16T04:12:00.000-04:00

Especially when made by the almighty...JESUS TACOS that is in Harlem. On Day 16, we wrapped at approximately 11:30 p.m. We then sat around, feasted on chicken and beef fajitas while telling stories, laughing and crashing immediately thereafter. Even some of the Sugar Hill Hostel guests joined us for some fajitas and fun.

BARKING IRONS makes a splash in Harlem Hostel

2005-07-14T03:36:00.000-04:00

Our friends from BARKING IRONS have been AWESOME in lending us use some of their very cool and fashionable
t-shirts. T-shirts have become the biggest fashion staple. "JULIE" (Julissa Bermudez), who plays the role of a Magazine, Graphic Artist knows about fashion and how to ROCK it with STYLE, don't take my word for it, see for yourself! A BIG THANKS to Michael Casarella and the team at BARKING IRONS in NYC!!

MEET THE "LAT PACK"

2005-07-12T03:23:00.000-04:00

(from left to right) RAFAEL SARDINA, plays BEN, JULISSA BERMUDEZ plays JULIE and RAMON RODRIGUEZ, plays WILL in HARLEM HOSTEL. These fresh and talented LATINOS are going to put the term "LAT PAK" on the map!!! wait and see......

PHAT FARM comes on board as the official "apparel" sponsor for the film.

2005-07-11T17:21:00.000-04:00

We received final confirmation today that PHAT FARM apparel will be coming on board as the official apparel sponsor for Harlem Hostel. Many thanks to the team at PHAT FARM for all your support!! (Top: Juan Sanchez- who plays SAM, Bottom: Steven Leon- who plays RICK)

Harlem, NYC here we come....

2005-07-11T13:00:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow, July 12th, we begin shooting scenes at the brownstone in Harlem, the actual "HARLEM HOSTEL". The weather will be blazin hot this week...today it feels like 100 degrees out there, but we're ready to make this happen. Last week was great, the actors are so impressive, they are on-point and happy to be here. We had a few bumps here and there, but overall everything is running smoothly. We couldn't have asked for a better team!!

SUGAR HILL INTERNATIONAL HOUSE

2005-07-11T05:09:00.000-04:00

Is the setting for the "Harlem Hostel". Imagine...a beautifully renovated limestone mansion located in the Sugar Hill ,Historic District of Harlem, providing room and board for tourists in the BIG APPLE. Hostels are commonly used by travelers in Europe, but now, the secret is out and "Harlem Hostel" will be your ticket inside the SUGAR HILL INTERNATIONAL HOUSE.

Production of Harlem Hostel begins this week (7/5-8) in Astoria, Queens

2005-07-05T12:19:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, July 5th was the first official day of production for the film. The call time for talent and crew was 7 a.m., everyone showed up on time, ready to work and a lot of excitement in the air. All this week, we will be shooting in Astoria, Queens. Home base for Nestor/Producer, Diana/Co-producer and Jorge/Co-producer. Above are some picuters of the crew at "mobile" meal breaks...ahhhh food for the body and soul!!

Today is Moktar Gabriel's birthday

2005-07-01T09:35:00.000-04:00

7/1 Is my dad's birthday, but only officially.

For some reason, Doctors were mad lazy in Egypt back in the day. My Granny (grandma) swore that he was born an hour before midnight, but alas, the doctors registered his birth on the certificate for July first.

Zalia Cosmetics founder, Monica Ramirez confirms she is on board with Harlem Hostel

2005-06-30T22:54:00.000-04:00

Zalia Cosmetics has come on board as the official cosmetic product sponsor for Harlem Hostel. Founder Monica Ramirez has made a lot of strides in the cosmetic industry and we are thrilled to have her on board. Be sure to check out Zalia Cosmetics.

Final Production meeting before shooting begins

2005-06-30T21:31:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow, 7/1 all the department heads involved in Harlem Hostel will meet to go over last minute details before shooting begins on 7/5. Everyone is really excited and good feelings all around about the cast and crew. Learn more about the film (synopsis) and the cast by visiting www.miraflix.com

LATIN HEAT ANNOUNCES HARLEM HOSTEL PRODUCTION IN NY

2005-06-23T00:06:00.000-04:00

Latin Heat has just posted the Harlem Hostel announcement in the on-line version of their publication, which is one of the "very cool" and "resourceful" publications in the industry covering Latinos, Entertainment and Film. Thanks to Bel and Brenda for their support!!.

Skae Beverages Joins Harlem Hostel

2005-06-21T00:07:00.000-04:00

Eli Trujillo and Catherine Daniel from Skae Beverage have just come on board as the official Harlem Hostel "beverage" product sponsor. Thanks guys!!