Short film connects heartbreak, insomnia

UPDATE: The story below should say that Luminaria is March 13. Also, the story did not identify English sophomore Caroline Richardson as the writer of the screenplay for "Night Mind."

Media communications sophomore Jamie Sanchez began shooting his short film submission, "Night Mind," Tuesday for the Luminaria Arts Night celebration in March.

The six-minute film was shot in eight hours in a one-bedroom apartment in the Sage Crossing complex, 3431 Oakdale.

The film is being produced by AV Productions, a local company founded by producer Abraham Valdez about a year ago.

The two roles are Ricky, a pushover husband played by Steve Dominguez, 26, and Penelope, his unfaithful wife, played by Sylvia Soto, 28.

Sanchez directed the film based on his personal struggles with adultery, heartbreak and insomnia.

"When I first found out my wife had cheated on me, I was hurt because we have a daughter together," Sanchez said, "The thoughts that ran through my head took over my life. "Until this day, there are times when I cannot sleep for up to four days," he said.

Sanchez has been divorced from his ex-wife for two years and is happy to see his daughter on the weekends.

"I wanted to make this film because I went through many emotions during the divorce, and despite my ex-wife's actions, I took it like a man and still treated her like every man should treat the mother of his child.

"Shooting the film has given me a sense of closure to the past and an opportunity to share my story with my peers and colleagues," Sanchez said.

His last film, "There was a Love Affair," was last year's runner-up for the Film Festival hosted by the radio-television-film program and was screened during freshman orientation in Chance Academic Center last summer. Night in San Antonio is March 10 at Alamo Plaza.

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