Reactions

"The dialogue is just lovely"

"Compelling tone throughout"

"Both sexy and action packed"

"Incredibly inventive mythology"

"Unique voice with bold, unusual ideas"

"Vividly rooted in a place, time and culture"

"Fascinating intersection of magic and logic"

"A storyteller who understands the power of history"

Soldiers 3 Half

Soldiers & Bandits

TV Pilot / Western / Historical Fiction

Tagline: The indomitable Mexican-American frontier is a cradle of wars, conquests and countless atrocities, but also of revolutions, hopes and dreams.

Logline: 100 years ago, a young and highly educated Mexican migrant finds himself in the middle of an imminent war between the USA and Mexico.

Overview: In 1916, Revolutionary leader Pancho Villa raids an American town, bringing the USA and Mexico to the verge of war. The show will follow historical events mixed with speculation, fiction and sprinkles of magic realism. Although set in the past, the style and narrative structure will be current and modern, in the vein of CHERNOBYL and NARCOS.

Genesis: Having been born in Mexico, I grew up watching Mexican movies and TV shows inspired in the Revolution and its archetypes. I've also always wondered about the reasons behind violence, criminal activities and "evil" in general. The Mexican Revolution and WWI seem perfect to explore the current atmosphere of fear, racism, division and warmongering.

Accolades (partial list):

  • Second Place Winner, 2017 Porto Alegre Screenwriting Festival (FRAPA).

  • Third Place Winner, 2018 Write Brothers Screenplay Competition at the Canada International Film Festival.

  • Official Selection, Spring 2020 Coverfly Pitch Week.

  • Official Selection, Script Summit 2020.

  • Finalist, 2019 ScreenCraft Public Domain & True Story Competition.

  • Finalist, 2019 Filmmatic TV Pilot Awards.

  • Semi-finalist, 2022 ScreenCraft TV Pilot Script Competition.

  • Semi-finalist, 2018 WeScreenplay Television Competition.

  • Second Rounder, 2018 Austin Film Festival.

  • Quarter-finalist, 2021 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards.

  • Quarter-finalist, 2021 Big Break Screenwriting Contest.

  • Top 1% on THE RED LIST by Coverfly.

Reviews:

"The script has a great concept and is very timely given today's political climate and the issues we're still talking about as a nation." Austin Film Festival

"Good job at presenting the themes of racism and borders right up front, paralleling today with unfortunate accuracy." Slamdance

"This script is a great study of history, war, and human conflict. Rodrigo is the perfect protagonist for this story. He is a storyteller who understands the power of history." ScreenCraft

"This piece of historical fiction is a vivid look at the conflict between the Mexicans and Americans from both sides. The horror of the atrocities committed on both sides is well conveyed and disturbing, and the writer cleverly manages to give depth to both the heroes and villains." BlueCat

"Relevant to this day and age which is incredibly important. Viewers will relate strongly to the story that comes from an unbiased perspective and will open viewers’ eyes to a more human experience versus what we see on the news. Strong premise that will resonate with a wide-ranging audience. Rodrigo is our viewpoint throughout the entire story, a strong morally sound protagonist. He remains neutral. He is involved in both sides and provides a well-balanced perspective." WeScreenplay

newposter2

Dhampira: The Revenant's Daughter

Supernatural Drama / Gothic Horror / Suspense

​Logline: A young woman uncovers terrifying secrets about her family's history and realizes that a dark entity tries to kill everyone she loves.

Formats: This project is available both as a feature-length screenplay and a one-hour TV pilot script.

Overview: This modern Gothic springs from the original Balkan and Gypsy vampire mythology and runs in the vein of INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA, THE HUNGER, THE CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE, the classic Hammer films and the TV shows FOREVER KNIGHT and DARK SHADOWS, with a touch of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER.

Genesis: My short film DHAMPIRA was a very satisfactory project that resonated with many people around the world, and allowed me to explore and communicate things that were important to me. However, I always felt that I could explore much more of this universe and its characters to create a longer narrative. I decided to relocate the story in New England, so I lived there for 4 months to research, write and explore the darkness of the atmosphere and within me as deep as possible.

Accolades (partial list):

  • Gold Prize Winner, 2017 Hollywood Screenplay Contest.

  • Second Place Winner, 2018 Hollywood Horrorfest.

  • Honorable Mention, 2019 WriteMovies Horror Award.

  • Finalist, 2019 Filmmatic Horror Screenplay Awards.

  • Finalist, 2015 Shriekfest Horror / Sci-Fi Film Festival.

  • Official Selection, 2017 FilmQuest Festival.

  • Semi-finalist, GenreBlast 2020 Script Competition.

  • Semi-finalist, 2015 Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest.

  • Top 20%, 2017 Academy Nicholl Fellowships.

  • Top 6% on THE RED LIST by Coverfly.

Reviews:

"This is a captivating, Gothic fantasy that explores themes of family, romance and undying loyalty through the story of Mara, an inquisitive college student who must come to terms with a supernatural history and her ultimate identity as a mythological 'dhampir.' Multi-layered, rich in atmosphere and cultural detail, this screenplay's overall narrative is impressive and its attention to formatting and polish is sharp." Academy Nicholl Fellowships

"A uniquely new, adult take on the vampire mythology, backed up with a vast, detailed set of rules, relics and characters to make it compelling. The historical flashbacks paint a well-researched and intriguing tapestry of worlds and lives gone by." BlueCat

"Enjoyable read. As far as a vampire tales go, you have come up with a lot of original detail and you’ve established a compelling tone throughout. The whole tale has the feel of a throwback vampire story." Fresh-Voices

"The script has an incredibly inventive mythology that feels thoughtfully imagined in every detail. The tone and atmosphere are excellent. The story is also a true Gothic horror, taking advantage of the New England setting to coax maximum spookiness out of the seemingly normal." The Black List

chrono03

Georgie and the Chrononauts

Sci-Fi / Historical Fiction

Logline: In the 1950s, esteemed writer Jorge Luis Borges finds himself drawn into a time travel conspiracy involving several of the greatest cultural figures in history.

Formats: This project is available both as a feature-length screenplay and a full-length stage play.

Overview: This time travel story, somewhat in the vein of SOMEWHERE IN TIME and OUTLANDER, shows historical characters speaking and behaving as they would have if they had really lived through its fantastic circumstances and events. These are not the mindless versions from BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE, but the real deal as far as Historical Fiction permits.

Genesis: I always wondered why so many of the greatest writers and scientists have converged in Geneva, Switzerland, and also, how would it be to travel through time and meet them in the flesh. I researched deeply each of the historical figures to the point that I felt I was traveling through time while writing this script. Also, I have always admired and felt a deep connection with Jorge Luis Borges, one of the greatest authors in the fantastic, for his Argentine origin (as my parents) and universal appeal.

Accolades (partial list):

  • Bronze Prize Winner, 2017 World Series of Screenwriting.

  • Finalist, 2020 STORYLINE DaVinci International Film Festival.

  • Finalist (top 3), 2018 Forest City Film Festival Screenplay Competition.

  • Finalist, 2017 Byron Bay Film Festival Screenplay Contest.

  • Semi-finalist, 2020 Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival.

  • Semi-finalist, 2018 StoryPros Awards Screenplay Contest.

  • Quarter-finalist, WriteMovies Spring 2021 Screenwriting Contest.

  • Quarter-finalist, 2019 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards.

  • Top 10% on THE RED LIST by Coverfly.

Reviews:

"This script takes a terrific premise and tells a story worthy of that great idea [...] Borges is a fantastic protagonist." Austin Film Festival

"The script features a unique voice with bold, unusual ideas." Academy Nicholl Fellowships

"Thoroughly original piece of writing that is brimming with imagination and intelligence. The conceit of utilizing historical/cultural figures in a genre film succeeds due to the writer's obvious passion and knowledge of the characters portrayed, and the end result feels like a smart mashup akin to THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, but without that film's gimmickry or one-note approach to detail. Like all good speculative fiction, the script uses its heightened premise to explore some decidedly contemporary concerns [...] Its sheer inventiveness is both impressive and exciting." The Black List

"The ending so very sweetly wraps up all the story lines, between Borges as a teenager, as a man, a poet, and a lover who could never be with the woman he loved. The dialogue is just lovely in this script. The interspersed sprinklings of French and Spanish help the audience truly immerse into the feel of this piece as far as time and place [...] I really enjoyed how relevant the themes are to what is going on in the world right now." Forest City Film Festival

Astralposter

THE Astral Grid

Sci-Fi / New Age / Alternative Thriller

Logline: A man suspects that his life is merely a dream, and attempts to escape from it through tantric sex and astral travel.

Overview: An indie and more human version of THE MATRIX, without its violence and silly bullet camera, but full of mysticism and eroticism, along with touches of surrealism. A world within a world, in the vein of THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR, DONNIE DARKO and DARK CITY.

Genesis: Three months after my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I had a very complex and almost mystical dream, which inspired most of the plot, images and themes. The dream was even multi-layered, akin to INCEPTION. I complemented the story with other dreams and my actual life. Despite being a sci-fi and surreal thriller, this script is the most auto-biographical work I've ever written, encompassing both my real life and dreams -- and the blurry line in between.

Accolades (partial list):

  • Best Sci-Fi / Fantasy screenplay & Second Place Winner overall, 2019 Chicago Genre Screenplay Competition.

  • Honorable Mention, 2017 Write Brothers Screenplay Competition at the Canada International Film Festival.

  • Official Finalist, 2017 World Series of Screenwriting.

  • Semi-finalist, 2017 Nashville Film Festival Screenwriting Competition [Top 10 in Sci-Fi].

  • Quarter-finalist, 2018 & 2017 ScreenCraft Sci-Fi & Fantasy Screenplay Contest.

  • Quarter-finalist, 2017 Stage 32 Fantasy & Sci-Fi Screenwriting Contest.

Reviews:

"This is a fairly original premise (with some familiar elements) on a science fictional / philosophical thriller." BlueCat

"Sensual, high-concept thriller that handles its sci-fi aspirations with great confidence." Creative World Awards

"An alt- alt- (maybe another alt-) world script that combines technology and Eastern mysticism into a story about choice and individual freedom [...]  You like the protagonist as the washed up writer looking for love. He has his own POV and voice. And the tantric sex throughout offers a lot of funny beats." Academy Nicholl Fellowships

"This is a fascinating, complex, and high-concept script. You manage to make your fundamental question, 'What if reality is a dream?' feel compelling and relatable by focusing on an ordinary office worker who deals with problems and asks questions we’ve all asked at some point in our lives." Fresh-Voices

"A very cerebral story by an obviously talented and experienced writer bearing elements of David Lynch and some interesting surreal and uncanny tropes [...] The author would appear to have a firm grasp of writing noir and neo-Gothic stories with characters and settings that conform to established archetypes." Forest City Film Festival

 

Lovers 960

Lovers of Darkness

Gothic Horror / Period

Logline:A young woman and a retired psychologist uncover the dark secrets of a family cursed with tragic love and terrifying entities.

Overview: The epic narrative follows a century of nightmarish entities, mystery and tragic love in the vein of INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE and THE HUNGER.

Genesis: I conceived the full narrative of DHAMPIRA as a novel that later became two scripts. The prior drafts only told half the story, but the new 2021 rewrite encompasses the whole epic story, updated for a current present timeline.

Accolades:

  • Finalist, 2021 StoryPros International Screenplay Contest.

  • Finalist (top 5), 2019 Burning Love Screenplay Contest at the Poe Film Festival.

  • Finalist, 2015 Creative World Awards.

  • Semi-finalist, 2017 Shriekfest Horror / Sci-Fi Film Festival.

  • Quarter-finalist, 2018 Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest.

Reviews:

"Fairly effective spin on the vampire motif, rendered distinctive by its geographical and chronological setting: many of the scenes occur in Yugoslavia, both prior to and during the late 90s conflict, and you make good use of local vampire lore. The focus here is not so much on the vampire as the sucker of blood (or, here, drainer of energy), but the vampire as a kind of incubus/succubus figure, a nocturnal visitor who often arrives in a seductive guise but is (cumulatively) equally lethal." BlueCat

"Fascinating, original, fun take on vampire mythology. This is around the time we should start seeing people do real creative things with the vampire trend, and this is a good example of that. You have an original angle, a solid command of screenwriting, and a great voice." Fresh-Voices

"This script had a strong sense of place and the various locations through the US and Europe made the story feel like it was occurring on a grand scale. The strongest element of the script was the seamless intersection of deadly magic and real historical strife. [...] Overall this was a smartly told tale that pushed past the usual bonds of the horror and suspense genres to create something that felt vividly rooted in a place, time and culture." BlueCat #2

Ancestral Half

Ancestral Memory

Sci-Fi Thriller / Fictional Documentary & Travelogue

Logline:Fashioned as a documentary and inspired by actual science, this fictional story follows a man in a midlife crisis as he tries to uncover the deepest secrets recorded in his DNA by his ancestors.

Overview: Battling with a midlife crisis, a business owner puts his work and regular life aside to investigate about his genetic background, his ancestors and ultimately himself. Inspired by the German origins of one of his biological ancestors, Julian goes to Germany and films a documentary of his travels as he learns more about German history and culture, and interviews a few top scientists that work in unleashing the ancestral memory encoded deep in our DNA. Already a hybrid of fiction and reality, the movie would be shot as a documentary to keep costs and complexities down. The result is a fictional documentary, not a “mockumentary” as the purpose is not to satirize anything, but to explore and study science and philosophy through a self-reflective process. This project can fall under the Ultra Low Budget range. In terms of tone and visuals, there are nods to ALTERED STATES and THE FLY, but the main influence is the candid style of ANTHONY BOURDAIN: PARTS UNKNOWN and LONELY PLANET as well as science documentaries, such as PARTICLE FEVER and IN SEARCH OF MEMORY.

Genesis: Since my parents and grandparents have passed away, I wondered if it could be possible to recall their memories and uncover mysteries about their lives and my origins, so I started an investigation on DNA heritage and genetic memory. I planned to do a trip to Germany to pursue some leads, both at a personal history level and on different scientific fields. I ended up cancelling my trip, but the strong need to find answers and speculate on what might be recorded deep down in our DNA made me write this fictional story. Part of the reason to structure it as a low-budget documentary is to make the production simpler and cheaper, perhaps for my feature film directorial debut.

Accolades:

  • Semi-finalist, 2019 WeScreenplay Feature Contest.

  • Quarter-finalist, 2020 Creative World Awards.

  • Quarter-finalist, 2019 StoryPros International Screenplay Contest.

SV portada2

Super Vampire

Horror / Action / Superhero

Logline: Unable to stop its apocalyptic doom, North America becomes riddled with vampires. Survivors face their fleeting existence as they figure out the true allegiance of a super vampire. SUPERMAN meets DRACULA in the vein of RESIDENT EVIL.

Genesis: When I was in grade school, my favorite movie was SUPERMAN and I wrote and drew a comic-book style parody called SUPER VAMPIRE. The primal idea stayed with me ever since, so I redeveloped it into a superhero movie, or rather "super antihero", sort of graphic-novelly, in the vein of WATCHMEN. I've also noticed that this type of movies tends to be pre-apocalyptical or post-apocalyptical, but never both, so I wanted to develop a story in which the first act would lead into an apocalypse.

Accolades:

  • Nominated for Best Horror Feature of the Written Word Awards, 2017 Action on Film Festival.

  • Official Selection, 2014 Beverly Hills Film Festival.

  • Official Finalist, 2014 Hollywood Screenplay Contest.

  • Finalist, 2013 Creative World Awards.

  • Semi-finalist, 2017 StoryPros Awards Screenplay Contest.

  • Top 10%, 2014 BlueCat Screenplay Competition.

Reviews:

"The author works in two interesting settings, one a Canadian military base which allows a number of Native American characters and the other is the area surrounding a particle physics experiment in the U.S. Southwest. It is well written in a modern action, appropriate style. Action is vivid and clear and set-pieces are well thought out. Dialog is also crisp and fits the characters while making them convincing in their professions." Academy Nicholl Fellowships

"SUPER VAMPIRE is to vampire movies what RESIDENT EVIL was to zombies—a nice mix of traditional horror with action-packed sequences." Fresh-Voices

"This story plays with and upends many vampire tropes to create its own original set of rules that defy a number of cliches and offer an extremely engaging end of the world scenario. The most compelling detail of this world is the way in which it manages to encompass both vampire and zombie lore to create a whole new level of seductive cannibals in a class all of their own. The inclusion of science and Native American lore created a fascinating intersection of magic and logic that made much of the script's complexities feel wonderfully plausible." BlueCat

 

The following demo is an audio drama production of the first two pages of the screenplay:

Chamuco-Oaxaca2

Con el Chamuco por Dentro

(WITH THE DEVIL INSIDE)

Satire / Horror / Spanish Language

Logline: A young aspiring filmmaker writes a maleficent script that threatens to demonize the whole Mexican film industry.

Synopsis: An aspiring screenwriter and filmmaker in Mexico City strikes gold when a telenovela star becomes interested in his newest script, "With the Devil Inside", and together they develop a literally enchanting project. As other film and TV personalities and a corrupt politician quickly fall under the spell of the script, the Mexican film industry readies to cannibalize itself under a vampire epidemic. And only an odd-matched crew may stand against the loose demons and impending damnation.

Overview: Self-reflexive film satire in the vein of ED WOOD and THE BIG PICTURE combined with absurdist Mexican horror mysteries (SANTO VS. LAS MUJERES VAMPIRO) and supernatural telenovelas (EL MALEFICIO).

Genesis: After a few years of being a striving screenwriter and filmmaker in the Mexican film business, I reflected on its surrealism and absurdity, noticing the comical aspect of it all. While waiting for funding opportunities for my short film EL PAJE, I decided to enjoy the craziness and write a satire of my own quest. I had also become quite interested in vampire mythology and decided to add those elements in the story, particularly the purported relationship between lamias (enchanting female vampires) and select male writers.

Accolades:

  • Official Selection, 2017 Oaxaca FilmFest.