Critically acclaimed Latino film director William D. Caballero is spinning his short film, How You Doin’ Boy? Voicemails From Gran’pa, which recently won the 2014 NUVOtv Emerging Latino Filmmaker’s Challenge, into a web series, aptly titled Granpa knows Best.
The series, Granpa knows Best, launched with 3 episodes on Monday, January 5th, 2015 at 2pm EST on YouTube via its channel and on www.granpaknowsbest.com. Viewers will also have access to the award winning film that inspired the series. New episodes will premiere every Monday at 2pm EST now through December 31, 2015.
Both the film and the series star a 3D modeled miniature of Caballero’s real grandfather— the now 86 year young Victor Muriel, originally from Puerto Rico, and current resident of North Carolina. Muriel voices the character and offers his real advice and points of view on various subjects. The subject of each episode is selected from questions asked by Facebook and Twitter users alike who Tweet @ask_granpa, or Facebook @Gran’Pa Knows Best offering a complete interactive experience to its viewers. Those with selected questions/topics are featured in an episode by way of their name and profile photo.
Caballero is a 2001 Gates Scholarship recipient and graduate of NYU and Pratt Institute. Gran’pa is his fifth directorial project since his graduation in 2008. His first, a documentary American Dreams Deferred, aired nationally on PBS and was the first film to receive an HBO-NALIP Documentary grant. His next film Seed Story premiered at the prestigious Slamdance Film Festival. Following its success was the award winning short film How You Doin’ Boy? Voicemails From Gran’pa which, like Granpa Knows Best, used 3D miniature models.
The 3D characters are modeled by Chang Kim using the computerized Zbrush program and printed in polymer resin. Each are hand painted by Amy Yamashiro and Kate Keisel, and placed in a miniature model home designed and printed by Seth Burney. Caballero then shoots these videos in macro perspective, alongside dozens of miniature props. Graphic design and text animation by Chris Cookson accompany the voice over by Victor Muriel.
Elaine Del Valle of Del Valle Productions, Inc. co-produces the series with Caballero. Del Valle, a WGA-East writer was named Trendsetter at the Multicultural Media Forum and is known for her multiple award winning off Broadway play Brownsville Bred. “Caballero’s filmmaking and ideas are innovative, funny, and heartfelt, a rare combination that I am so proud to help produce.” said Del Valle.
Watch Granpa Knows Best and How You Doin’ Boy, Voice Mails From Gran’pa now on www.granpaknowsbest.com and Tweet @ask_granpa or Facebook @Gran’Pa Knows
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