We were lucky to catch up with ALINE ANDRADE recently and have shared our conversation below.
ALINE, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
One of the first movies I watched as a kid was “Xuxa in Crystal Moon” with a super famous Brazilian Children Show host called Xuxa. I had a dream after watching that movie ( I was a very Jungian child). I still remember the dream– “crystal clear”– pun intended. I was in it: I was a part of the group making the movie and that was the best feeling ! That feeling stayed with me, and even though I had no access to much culture in the town where I grew up and had no idea that I could one day have a career in anything related to movies, I think that I kept taking steps that eventually brought me to LA. I really think that everyone has a shiny star inside them and that star will guide their actions. And I mean it for anything: maybe you want to do something totally opposite of show business, but the good feeling about it will still guide your steps until you wake up to what makes you “YOU”. In some cases, it takes a lifetime to trust yourself, but it’s all valid.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a producer of feature films, documentaries, series and branded content. I recently joined the Producers Guild of America and I am very excited with the work ahead. I enjoy partnering with good, kind, intelligent people to create meaningful stories. I don’t stick to one format. My company Fine Frenzy Films has about 6 projects in development that I can already talk about here and they are very eclectic:
“Aureo & Mirele” explores self-identity and gender through the eyes of a Brazilian immigrant in Paris as he organizes the arrival of a mysterious lady: Mirele. Short Documentary in talks for distribution in France and looking for partners to make the feature doc. Produced by Aline Andrade, Adele Autin , Directed by Filipe Galvon, and presenting Aureo Meirelles.
“Macumba: A Family Folklore” A magical realism drama set in Brazil 1960’s. When 12-year-old Elisabeth begins to have visions of a magical Afro-Brazilian sacred entity, she overcomes the generational trauma of corporal punishment. This is a short Narrative film out in festivals now and being pitched as a feature film. Produced by Aline Andrade, alongside a wonderful team from Florianopolis, Brazil.
“Lucy is going to Hell” A 90’s comedic coming-of-age feature film set in Utah and California. When she is forced to marry a much older man, Lucy runs away from her Utah polygamist home in 1992 and falls for the Los Angeles glamor while trying to become a musician. Original music by the fantastic Joy Autumn. The musical identity of the film is very strong and is inspired by female power and angsty grunge from the 90’s.
A Feature narrative screenplay that’s entering the Screenplay contest world very well already: (Thank you, Big Apple Film festival!)
“The Regent” is a period drama based on the book “Alegrias & Tristezas”, the ultimate biography of D. Isabel’s own words and supported by the Instituto Cultural D. Isabel, in Brazil. The film explores the fascinating true story of Princess Isabel of Brazil at a time of colossal political and cultural transition for the country. Produced by Aline Andrade and Gabriela Lima.
“Feathers and Toast” Lifestyle, pseudo-cooking-show- comedy series hosted by Tallulah Grace (Mhairi Morrison), whose personality could best be described as if Ted Lasso and Moira from Schitt’s Creek had a British baby. She is a formerly heartbroken, and lovably delusional, “woman of the people” who reinvents herself as an online cooking show host, only to end up stumbling upon her life purpose: to save the lonely cook. Produced by Aline Andrade, Mhairi Morrison and Holly Payberg-Torroija.
“Coming to Jesus”- A prodigal daughter returns to Florida. In this late bloomer coming of age, a first generation American woman faces her religious past when she has to move back in with her Brazilian family in Florida and encounters people that she hoped to never see again. A feature screenplay ready to be shopped around.
Can you find the common thread in all these stories? Do you want to grab a coffee and talk about them?
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1) Patience+ perseverance- those two things are connected for me. It’s easy to feel like you want results now, or that you want your first pitch to land perfectly and you get the yes from the financier or the company you want to partner with. The first couple years were very painful as I felt like rejection was the end of the line. It’s not- most of the time it’s not a full no, it’s just a “not now”, “ not this”. I started realizing that the people that said no to me, also gave me invaluable feedback on how to improve my work and blatant hints at what it would take to get a yes from them. Pick yourself up, take a break, go back to work and get better.
2) Pace yourself. Rest, don’t quit. That one was a revelation. So simple, but really, this is the one that has made all the difference in my trajectory. When you rest, you gain perspective and clean your palate to understand the process and what the next step should be.
3)Ask for help and discern what advice to take. Asking for help is a valid move as long as you are confident enough to take what works for your situation. You are still the one that needs to make the decision; but mentoring moments are important to take in too.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am looking for brave producers and creatives that want to join ongoing projects I have: TV docuseries, documentary features and scripted films. I am also looking for production crew wanting to grow their portfolio as writers, DP, editors, composers. The best way to have a conversation and get to know new people is to have a project as a context to see if we speak the same language. Most importantly I am looking for partners for the projects I mentioned above. If one of those stories speaks to you, let’s exchange notes, let’s zoom. Call me!
To stay active in short format storytelling I am also looking for brands and businesses in need of promotional materials or commercial spots and are willing to work with a new team to create their branded content at a super low cost as we build our portfolio.
I can’t wait to talk to you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://finefrenzyfilms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finefrenzyfilms/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aline-andrade/
Image Credits
Personal archive ALINE ANDRADE
