Caldera began life in 2006.  Since then, it has evolved over countless hours of research by writer/director Doug Spice – including a month spent in West Africa exploring former conflict states such as Sierra Leone and Senegal’s Casamance region.  The promo was created in true do-or-die fashion: a tiny crew of filmmakers hopped in a couple vans and cruised across the border, crossing their fingers and having one of the most unique and rewarding filmmaking experiences of their lives.

Caldera is seeking financing to continue into production in its new form; hopefully someday soon we’ll have an amazing new batch of stories to tell from that experience.  Meanwhile, these photos tell the story of three days of true guerilla filmmaking making the promo in Mexico.

It takes a village... lucky for us the village was eager to help!

Director of Photography Natasha Bedu and Assistant Camera Vahe Papazyan set up for the shot.

The Tijuana police turned up in force for our plaza shoot. Thankfully they were more than cooperative.

Director Doug Spice and DP Natasha Bedu (foreground) direct actor Chris Starr.

Lead actor Chris Starr gets into the revolutionary mood.

We recruited local non-actors to play background and supporting roles.

... and then we gave them guns.

Trouble's coming to town.

Every republic needs soldiers that know how to model for the camera.

Actors Pedro Pano and Colbert Alembert put aside their factional differences for a moment to pose for a snapshot.

Huge thanks to all of the cast, crew, interview subjects, and consultants who have contributed to the development of Caldera thus far.