U.S. HISPANIC
Mexican filmmakers give their keys regarding local production aimed at global audiences
Maribel Ramos-Weiner| 14 de febrero de 2019
Historias Mexicanas Foro Netflix
How to reach global audiences with contents made with local keys and universal topics was the main conversation focus that gathered the Mexican producers Verónica Velásco, Content and Original Productions Director at Argos; Manolo Caro, director of La Casa de las Flores; JM Cravioto, showrunner and director of Diablero; Billy Rovzar, CEO of Lemon Studios, chaired by Francisco Ramos, VP of International Originals for Latin America and Spain at Netflix, in the context of the Netflix Forum, held on Tuesday February 12 in Mexico City.
Under the title Historias Mexicanas, Audiencias Globales (Mexican Stories, Global Audiences), one of the main conclusions is that stories must connect emotionally with audiences, tap into the creative freedom Netflix offers and fulfill the platform´s four C: curiosity, complexity, connection, and clarity. “If we manage to tell a story with those elements, we will have a well-set story,” said Velasco.
“We must be honest with what we create so that honesty is conveyed and finds an audience,” Caro, whereas Cravioto highlighted the dynamism Netflix imposed upon the industry. “It isn’t a minor thing to talk about a global platform: it is the size of the world, literally. It implies huge complexity, multiculturality, plurality, pluri or multidimensionality, commitment, and a huge responsibility. The place where an idea is generated does not matter, what matters is the strength it has,” said Velasco.
“What Netflix manages to have is a launch in the entire world, which used to be impossible,” said Rovzar, who commented that it is as if they had trained for years making cinema to reach this moment.
“The more specific and ´niche-wise´ the story, the more likely that it will find a diverse audience, said, Francisco Ramos. Although actually, in the opinion of Cravioto, there are no keys. “You must be open to all the possibilities and be flexible. You must be open to having an accident.”
