Becoming Chavela
Adapted from Stephanie Trudeau’s docu-cabaret performance of the iconic lesbian Mexican singer Chavela Vargas’ life and music. Told in a hybrid genre--using performances, animation, and scripted narrative--this blend of approaches is a perfect combination to bring this unique tale to vivid life.
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Joyce CalloDirectorNY Emmy, HBO grant, more...
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Stephanie TrudeauWriterNY Bistro Award winning cabaret show "Becoming Chavela," and soon to be published "The Dylan Tapes: Friends, Lovers and Players Talkin' Early Bob Dylan"
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Joyce CalloWriterNY Emmy, HBO grant, more...
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Stephanie TrudeauProducer
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Joyce CalloProducerNY Emmy, HBO grant, more...
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Stephanie TrudeauKey Cast"Stephanie/Chavela"
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Project Type:Short
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Runtime:15 minutes
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Completion Date:February 28, 2022
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Production Budget:15,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
Joyce Callo, a New York Emmy Award winner, is an independent writer/director and occasional producer for film, television, and other media. Her films have been selected for dozens of film festivals worldwide and have won numerous awards. She has written, produced, and directed five short films, written several feature film screenplays as well as various TV projects and an original series pilot currently going out. Her short film Happenstance (based on her feature screenplay currently in development) was funded by and aired on HBO. Her short film The Science of Love won the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Foundation grant, played dozens of film festivals, and appeared in the online exhibit at The Museum of Moving Images. And her short film Extreme Mom, starring Ann Dowd (HULU’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Emmy winner - and HBOs “The Leftovers” Emmy nom) was selected by NYWIFT (New York Women in Film and TV) for their first-ever global short film showcase, which played in 18 countries. She holds an MFA with honors in writing/directing from Columbia University’s Graduate Film School. She began her career as an on-air TV news reporter and weekend anchor. She currently lives with her wife of 26 years and their dog in Palm Springs, CA.
Website: www.joycecallo.com
I discovered Stephanie Trudeau’s most excellent one-hour, one-woman cabaret show at the historic cabaret venue in midtown Manhattan, “Don’t Tell Mama.” I was instantly attracted to the material. I had never even heard of Chavela Vargas. But in Trudeau’s show, I was not only entertained by the pitch perfect performances but also struck by the life story of this trailblazing Mexican singer. I knew I had to help bring this story to the masses. It’s so bold, so unique and so inspiring. Chavela Vargas was a tour de force in Mexican Music, becoming the first woman to ever sing Ranchera (music only men sang.) And, she was also a rather notorious lesbian, having had lengthy affairs with Frida Khalo and Cuba’s famous Macorina. Being an out lesbian myself, this added to my interest in telling this story. Finally, it’s a comeback story. And who doesn’t love a comeback? Vargas went into solitude for 15 years to recover from a career filled with alcohol. Upon her return, Pedro Almovodar re-discovered her, giving her a second chance. She made her Carnegie Hall debut at 83! This is a story film with so much to say. To keep it interesting, I used a hybrid of genre’s - interviews, narrative acting, songs performances and animations to weave this tale. I feel this is a story that must be told and, I hope you agree.