Comments for Pepelicula's Weblog

Comment on A Pepe Urquijo Infomercial by Zoe

Zoe — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:13:47 +0000

Thanks so much for the fantastic show. Maybe it will inspire CDCR to keep allowing stuff like this for the inmates. Do you know anything about how Tulio is doing? And will there be any way for me to watch the 2 episodes i missed? I also would love to see the full versions of the films the students made–will they ever be available? (I teach at San Quentin and Troy is in my writing class)
Thanks for putting your heart into this good work–

Comment on A Pepe Urquijo Infomercial by Jesus Valdez

Jesus Valdez — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:11:51 +0000

I missed the episode today, the DVR was full and I didn’t notice, will they replay the episode, I feel so lost now…

Comment on Belated Than Never by Bob Makela

Bob Makela — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:04:31 +0000

Pepe,

I’ve watched a couple episodes of San Quentin Film School and am finding it to be great TV. Amazing work you did with those guys. I myself am producing/directing a documentary called “PrisonSport” and I was hoping I could speak to you about one of the inmates featured in my film, Kenny Stallings, who you also worked with. I’d love it if you could drop me an email and I can tell you what I’m looking for. Thanks for your time. ~Bob Makela

Comment on A Pepe Urquijo Infomercial by pepelicula

pepelicula — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:13:40 +0000

Thanks Pachuko! I will call Don Gomez real soon and clear. Thanks for stopping by.-pepe

Comment on A Pepe Urquijo Infomercial by el pachuko de aztlan

el pachuko de aztlan — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 22:18:35 +0000

good work Carnal……alwayz good to see your work and progress, este saw ur homies movie being promoted in the streets of ELA, we need to go back to the festival! hey call the Gomez’ soon, just spoke with el Don he said ur MIA

que tal?

Comment on A Pepe Urquijo Infomercial by pepelicula

pepelicula — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:36:32 +0000

Thank you Jennifer for taking the time to write here, to hear their stories and for the hope I wish more people had. One story at a time right?
best,
-Pepe

Comment on A Pepe Urquijo Infomercial by Jennifer Hill

Jennifer Hill — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:53:56 +0000

I admire your work and the ability to tell a story that we (a community) have not able hear in the past – a positive story. Your work has made an impact and I hope to continue to follow your stories. I live near San Quentin, and now when I drive past it I think of the hope that you have given to these men. I wish all the best for you.

Comment on A Pepe Urquijo Infomercial by Parrot

Parrot — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:52:47 +0000

I’ll continue to awake early on Fridays, and search the ends of the earth for a cable TV at a friendlies place to capture the rivetting action known as “San Quentin Film School.” Can I get any help from anyone for this Friday?

Comment on A Pepe Urquijo Infomercial by pepelicula

pepelicula — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:38:33 +0000

Sure Chuy.

What happens a lot of times when folks are given a camera for the first time is they are given an opportunity to capture a world, their world. Something very powerful happens. Along with that power comes confidence and I think that’s what happened with Jesse (the vato with long hair, actually most of the men are/were long hair’s . He was simply filming and a prison guard told him not to film something. From what I’ve learned, Jesse asked why and that rubbed the prison guard the wrong way and it had to be addressed and settled by everybody. And as you saw in the episode, the relationships between the men who’ve been locked up for years with no set date to leave (for lack of a better phrase, lifer’s) and the prison guards is different than the relationships the men with dates have with the guards. It’s complex and I learned a great deal that day. I also love what Lonnie, my assistant, had to say about the entire San Quentin Film School being filmed which was, “after you all leave, we still have to live there.” This goes for all people who enter an area, neighborhood, parish, country, etc. and document or fictionalize a story. It’s something all storytellers wrestle with and must find a way to balance their impact on a location and capturing what is true.

Hope this sheds some light and I answered your question.

peace,
-P

Comment on A Pepe Urquijo Infomercial by jesus valdez

jesus valdez — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 09:55:43 +0000

Just saw the second episode! good stuff again!! i need/want to know, if you can tell, what happened?? when the guards kicked out the cameras and the students got pissed at the vato with the long hair?

can’t wait for the next episode, seems that the students are finding who the want to work with, and who they DON”T want to work with…