Award-winning documentary on inclusion and representation in Hollywood
"Bad Hombrewood" traces filmmaker Guillermo Casarín's journey seeking acceptance in Hollywood as a Latino creative. This critically acclaimed documentary explores the complexities of diversity and representation in the entertainment industry through intimate interviews with industry professionals and personal narratives. View on IMDB ↗
As the film's sound designer, I crafted an audio landscape that enhanced the emotional impact of talking-head interviews while supporting the documentary's narrative structure. My strategic use of soundscapes, volume modulation, and audio transitions helped transform potentially static interview footage into a compelling, immersive experience that has garnered recognition at prestigious venues including Cannes American Pavilion and the DGA Awards.
Create an immersive audio experience that elevates interview-based storytelling while navigating the complexities of diversity in Hollywood.
January 2021 - December 2022 (Development, production, festival circuit)
Sound Designer and Talent Manager
Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Field Recording Equipment, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Audition
Creating a compelling sound design for an interview-driven documentary presented unique obstacles beyond typical production challenges:
I developed a strategic audio approach that transformed these challenges into opportunities for enhanced storytelling:
News coverage highlighting the documentary's impact and reception
Creating the sound design for "Bad Hombrewood" involved a methodical approach that evolved throughout production and post-production phases, adapting to the documentary's developing narrative.
Before interviews began, I developed a sonic palette that would complement the documentary's themes of cultural identity and industry barriers. This involved researching Hollywood's sonic environments and Latin American musical motifs to create a framework that could authentically represent both worlds. I coordinated with the director to establish sound design goals that would support his vision while enhancing the audience experience.
During production, I managed dual responsibilities: capturing clean interview audio while helping coordinate talent. This phase involved visiting industry figures' homes and offices, where I implemented adaptive recording techniques to handle varied acoustic environments. Working with high-profile subjects required careful management of technical needs while maintaining a comfortable atmosphere that encouraged candid responses. For Guillermo del Toro's segments specifically, I employed specialized microphone placement to capture his distinctive vocal characteristics.
Post-production began with a comprehensive audio assessment, categorizing interviews by content themes and acoustic qualities. I created a system of ambient soundscapes that would subtly reinforce narrative elements without overwhelming dialogue. This phase involved extensive experimentation with pitch modulation techniques, developing a framework where authoritative statements received subtle bass enhancement while maintaining natural vocal quality. Each thematic segment received a distinctive audio signature that would help viewers subconsciously recognize transitions between topics.
The final stage involved refining the audio mix specifically for festival screenings, where varied venue acoustics would present additional challenges. I created multiple audio masters optimized for different screening environments, from intimate theater spaces to larger auditoriums. This preparation proved valuable during the extensive festival circuit, where "Bad Hombrewood" maintained consistent audio quality across diverse venues. Throughout this phase, I collaborated closely with the director to ensure the sound design continued to support his vision while meeting technical requirements for prestigious showcases like the Cannes American Pavilion.
"Bad Hombrewood" has achieved remarkable recognition, sparking important conversations about representation in Hollywood while showcasing innovative approaches to documentary sound design.
The documentary's reach extended beyond festival accolades to create meaningful industry impact:
The documentary featured insights from top industry professionals, including producers from major studio films
Working on "Bad Hombrewood" provided invaluable professional experience while offering perspective on the power of documentary filmmaking to address industry inequities. The project's scope and subsequent recognition delivered numerous insights that continue to inform my approach to sound design and content creation.
Beyond technical skills, "Bad Hombrewood" offered extraordinary access to industry titans in their personal spaces—an experience that revealed the human side of Hollywood's power structures. Meeting established filmmakers and hearing their unfiltered perspectives on inclusion created a profound understanding of the industry's challenges and opportunities. This project reinforced how technical disciplines like sound design serve the greater purpose of storytelling with impact, potentially influencing real-world conversations about representation and opportunity. The documentary's journey from production to Emmy nomination demonstrated how purposeful content can resonate far beyond initial expectations when technical craft aligns with meaningful subject matter.
