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WEST VALLEY VIEW NEWS | JANUARY 12, 2022
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Avondale filmmaker brings home ‘Lucid’ BY MADISON PERALES AND CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI West Valley View Staff Writers
W
hen Avondale resident Ramiro Villagomez finished his feature film “Lucid,” the goal was recognition. In 2021, he certainly received that. “Lucid” was awarded best feature film by the Hollywood Boulevard Film Festival, and it screened at the Culver City Film Festival as well. Now the La Jolla High School graduate is taking it to home to the Valley for the Chandler International Film Festival at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, at LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Chandler. “Everyone on the team wants to get recognition so we can get jobs with the
big studios such as Universal Studios or Lionsgate,” said Villagomez, who served as writer, director and co-producer. Co-produced with El Mirage’s Obed Casillas, the 110-minute film tells the story of Zey, an 18-year-old boy who tries to overcome his challenges with the supernatural. It stars Ian T. Segears, a former Avondale resident who recently moved to Downtown LA, and David W. Rice of San Tan Valley. “The movie is a family drama involving love and death, but at the same time, there’s trippy imagery and horror,” Villagomez said. “But at its core, it’s an emotional drama.” A former airman stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Segears said he could relate to his character of Zey.
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“His dad passes purpose is to evoke feelaway,” said Segears, ings. He’s hoping that’s whose father also died. what “Lucid” does. “I thought this film “The best movies out was made for me. I there meet the goal of thought I was meant to making a feeling come be in this. My basic reout of you,” Villagomez quirements were, is the said. “If a comedy exfilm going to be done ceeded in making you and made with passion laugh, it did its job. It’s behind it. Ramiro ingoing to be an impactvested these things into ful, emotional story that it, and it was perfect.” has a great message, and Outside of the com- Ian T. Segears, a former Avon- you will fall in love with mon theme of death, dale resident who recently the characters. Segears said he and Zey moved to Downtown LA, stars “But, at the same time, are different. Zey deals as Zey in the feature film “Lu- you’re going to have fun cid.” (Photo courtesy of Ian T. Segears) with his father’s death with it because it’s going with astral projection, an intentional to have horror stuff alongside it. It’ll be out-of-body experience. a fun ride and might make you cry.” “You lay down and have this out-ofA typical independent film budget starts body experience,” Segears said. “You at $100,000. Villagomez and his crew crelook down at your body, you can see ated “Lucid” on a shoestring budget. your body and move around the world. “We spent $2,500 on the movie,” “With Zey’s power, he can actually Villagomez said. “I like making things manipulate the things around him. He that are pretty cheap look high budget.” gets into mischief. We’re watching him The quality, however, goes beyond go through that and explore this power. any dollar amount. Even though they He tries his best to figure out life with didn’t spend a lot of money on the his teenage mind and try to make the production of the film, Villagomez beright choices.” lieves the story is what makes it great.” Segears said Villagomez discovered “The story part is the hard thing,” him through Instagram after looking at Villagomez said. “Money can make hashtags for actors. Coincidentally, the your visual, audio and special effects two found out they were both in Avondale. look better, but if you’ve got the story “I never met anyone making a film in down, you’re good to go.” Avondale,” Segears said with a laugh. Inspiration is aplenty for producers, If You Go... but Villagomez had a different thought WHAT: “Lucid” for “Lucid.” WHEN: 8 to 9:50 p.m. Wednesday, “I have so many ideas all the time, Jan. 19 and they come from me listening to WHERE: LOOK Dine-In Cinemas music,” Villagomez said. “If I’m in Chandler as part of the Chandler the car or just lying down listening to International Film Festival, 1 W. Chanmusic, that’s when the ideas start to dler Boulevard, Chandler unfold. I could just picture all of the COST: $12 scenes happening through the emoINFO: eventbrite.com, tions and melodies of the songs.” chandlerfilmfestival.com/tickets Villagomez said he believes film’s
