Introduction

I’m a Designer and Filmmaker born in La Paz, Bolivia. My Production Design credits include The Christmas Movie, Dirty, Formosa Betrayed and A Day Without A Mexican.  I also Art Directed White Oleander, Stigmata and City of Industry. As a Filmmaker – I’ve benefited greatly from all these experiences.

In 2001, I created Super Grande Films. Completed projects include the short film trilogy Electronica, the Pop Art Comedy Marta’s Sex Tape plus This is Not a Film produced by Mariana Kahlo in Mexico City.

Early Work

Working in Film… you never know how your movie will be received. So to be a member of Robert Skotak’s VFX Team that Won the Academy Award for Terminator 2, well… that will always be a big deal for me.

Looking For Sunday

Looking For Sunday Directed by Mark Piznarski (Gossip Girl), Produced by Academy Award Winner Donna Dewey. Denver.

Bangkok – Formosa Betrayed

The political thriller – Formosa Betrayed, filmed in Bangkok and Chicago for Director Adam Kane. We had several  crews working across the globe. The story takes place in Taiwan in the early 80’s.

Dirty

Chris Fisher’s Dirty is a film about corrupt L.A. cops caught in a downward spiral. It was also an amazing mix of culture, grit and color. Here is an excellent review from Variety.

Replicating Afghanistan – Red Sands

Red Sands – Directed by Alex Turner. The film takes place in the Middle East and it’s about the Horrors of War. It’s a creepy picture.

Stigmata

MGM’s Stigmata Directed by Rupert Wainwright. This was certainly the most complex film that I had ever Art Directed. Working for Designer Waldemar Kalinowski was a great life experience as we replicated Pittsburgh and Brazil in a highly stylized manner. We built sets in L.A. and traveled deep into exotic Patzcuaro, Mexico.

Bolivian Heritage

Bolivia is an amazing country that is growing and currently in a period of intense social reform. Our family has contributed to its betterment on many cultural levels and continues to do so. Their accomplishments reaffirm the concept that anything is possible in this very short life. Some notable family members:

Ramon Rivero – My Great-Grandfather was a higly respected Bolivian Ambassador, Senator and Mayor of Cochabamba.

Beatriz Lavayen Velasco- Owner of the El Capitol Movie Theater & Hotel (1950’s –1970’s). My Grandmother’s love for Art & Cinema directly shaped my filmmaking career.

Joaquin Aguirre Lavayen - Established Bolivia’s first trade port (Puerto Aguirre) to the ocean, which leads through Paraguay. He’s also a noted author (Más allá del Horizonte, Guano Maldito).

Jose Miguel Velasco -  A General in Simon Bolivar’s army, which liberated the country from Spain. Bolivia’s 4th President.