I USED TO BE AFRAID OF BLUEBERRIES

"I USED TO BE AFRAID OF BLUEBERRIES (2023)" is an experimental and abstract short film from the mind of first-year university student filmmaker VNEXXA. Shot on a 16mm Bolex camera with a zoom lens, this film explores main character JUEZA's complicated relationship with her sense of sight.

  • Vanessa Lopez-Vanegas
    Director
  • Vanessa Lopez-Vanegas
    Writer
  • Vanessa Lopez-Vanegas
    Producer
  • Rosandra Gonzalez
    Key Cast
    "Figure"
  • Camila Muñoz
    Key Cast
    "Jueza"
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Horror, Experimental, Abstract, Artfilm, Arthouse
  • Runtime:
    1 minute 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 23, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    270 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    16mm
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Toronto Metropolitan University
Director Biography - Vanessa Lopez-Vanegas

Vanessa "VNEXXA" López-Vanegas is an 18-year-old filmmaker, writer, poet, photographer and visual artist (digital and traditional). She is the sole proprietor of VNEXXART. Everything VNEXXA creates is curated from the very ink seeping through her musing mind. During her time as a budding professional filmmaker and creative director, VNEXXA has worked alongside other independent artists and companies in order to create a solid array of well-thought-out work. She has utilized her introspective lens on social interpretations and the idea of fantastical escapism to create several layered bodies of work. Her extensive imagination and ability to predict potential outcomes while directing a group of people have become her most potent strong-suits. Additionally, her wide range of speaking skills and world-oriented awareness creates a sense of relatability (using the metaphorical medium) in the way her pieces reflect her understanding of the world.

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Director Statement

"I USED TO BE AFRAID OF BLUEBERRIES" was a huge learning experience for me. Undoubtedly though, what I learned most about was foley. I had never done foley before. In my past
films/video content, the audio was almost always music or audio recorded on-site during the shoot such as diegetic dialogue. Recording foley was a completely new experience and one that I found to be very enjoyable as well. I often found myself using objects that were not even remotely related to the actual objects shown in the shot to create effective sounds. It was super fun!

Shooting on film in general was honestly amazing, and in retrospect: I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to learn 16mm.