It’s the best way to profile Manuel the way he really is.
Nashville, TN (PRWEB) January 30, 2014
Good People Studios, a Nashville-based video production company, produces documentary on Manuel, the fashion designer best known for his flashy, rhinestone outfits that have adorned the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Johnny Cash and Elvis over the past 60 years.
The full length film follows the “Rhinestone Rembrandt” at the twilight of his career as he seeks to modernize and preserve his iconic style beyond his lifespan.
Directors Josh Harrell and Yuri Figueroa began working on this project over two years ago, compiling nearly 90 hours of footage. Figeuroa, who splits his time between Mexico and Nashville, met Manuel in their shared hometown of Coalcomán Michoacán, Mexico.
“I was showing some paintings and Manuel was having a fashion show across the street,” say Figueroa. “Our meeting lasted no more than two minutes, but I stayed intrigued ever since. I knew that that brief encounter was just the tip of the iceberg.”
Good People Studios has followed Manuel to Mexico and back, lived with him through intimate moments and chronicled the transitions he has gone through both in business and his personal life. To the directors, Manuel represents as unique a character as they’ve ever met. While living the rock and roll life, surrounded by his women, tequila and parties, he really disdains the celebutante lifestyle. To him, Elvis is no different than the next customer to walk into his shop on Broadway. And you can tell he truly believes that.
“It’s hugely important to us to have a genuine representation of who Manuel is. We’re not the type of filmmakers to start a film with ‘Manuel was born in 1938.’ We’re making this film with a verite, observational approach where we let the action and character develop themselves and then craft it into a story through our editing,” says Harrell. “It’s a tremendously challenging way of filmmaking, but it’s the best way to profile Manuel the way he really is.”
Harrell has directed several documentary shorts that were character profiles, even winning awards at festivals along the way. But this represents the first feature length film for both him and Figueroa.
With only pickups and few celebrity interviews left to complete production, the directors will be bringing in editors to collaborate with over the next several months before moving onto the final post-production processes. Their deadline to have the film complete is September and have been meeting with a variety of production companies, grant programs and private investors to ensure they have the money it takes to make the film perfect.
For more information about Good People Studios Video Production and Film Production, please visit http://www.goodpeoplestudios.com/about/.