The Gift Wrapper

A nice WRAP for TGW festival circuit

2010-01-24T21:39:00.000-08:00

After a very successful two-year-round @ the festival circuit, we wrapped the whole adventure with a nice bow.
Last month, at the BOYLE HEIGHTS LATINA INDEPENDENT FILM EXTRAVAGANZA, The CITY OF LOS ANGELES honored me with a "MOST PROMISING" diploma and a beautiful illustration by Juan Solis.
Thank you all for joining me on this amazing and gratifying ride.
It's been a true gift!!!

The Boyle Heights Latina Independent Film Extravaganza

2009-11-09T14:53:00.000-08:00

Taking place December 11 - 13, 2009

"BHLIFE is a festival that features the creative work of Latina film directors from all across the country. An event dedicated to the ongoing effort to present the complexities of our community and the women within it, and break away from the historically negative and stereotypical images of Latinas in film. A festival such as BHLIFE creates a challenge to the inequity seen in front and behind the lens."

Check out the festival program soon:
http://bhlife.org/

Italy wants it back

2009-10-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

Anch'un altro festivale internazionale mostra THE GIFT WRAPPER. This time in the South:
Levante International Film Festival, November 7-14
Andiamo?

TGW screens in L.A. 09/21/09

2009-09-18T15:23:00.000-07:00

Come, come, come!!!!
And bring your favorite drink and/or snack for the after party!!!!

Marbella International Film Festival!!!

2009-09-16T05:38:00.001-07:00

"We are pleased to inform you that your film has been approved to be screened at Marbella International Film Festival.

Over 600 films from 50 countries were submitted for the preliminary stage of this festival.

These films are presenting some of the best independent productions, by talented film makers from all over the world. Judges had some very difficult decisions to make while reducing the number of such high calibre applicants to only 40 or so films to be awarded the screening status at the festival.

So you must feel very proud, that you work has been recognised among the very best to appear at the finals of this prestigious international film festival, we thus, congratulate you for your efforts, and wish you success."

Ciao, Italia!!!

2009-05-23T16:36:00.001-07:00

This fall, The Gift Wrapper will be premiering in the land of Giuseppe Tornatore & Ennio Morricone, Marcello Mastroianni & Sofia Loren, Dolce & Gabbana, Pizza & Pepperoni.
Italy, that is.
Si!!!
We have been accepted @ the SALENTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.
La vita é bella. BELLISSIMA!!!!!!!
No?

Check out the official web-site for details:
http://salentofilmfestival.com/english/home_eng.html

See how beautiful the region is:
http://www.salentoviaggi.com/tricaseporto.htm

Puelto Rico, Papiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!

2009-04-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

It's time, it seems, for THE GIFT WRAPPER to hit the Caribbean, as we have been invited to be part of the RINCON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL in Puerto Rico, happening April 28th - May 3rd.
http://www.rinconfilm.com/

TGW & THE KING OF ROCK R 1

2009-03-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

The Gift Wrapper has been invited to go to On Location: Memphis International Film Festival in Memphis TN - Home of the King of Rock-N-Roll.

Check out the ON LOCATION: MEMPHIS 2009 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS http://www.onlocationmemphis.org/olm/ViewNews.aspx?id=7

Upcoming Fest

2009-02-10T06:20:00.000-08:00

We got into Buffalo Niagara Film Festival (May 1-10)

http://www.buffaloniagarafilmfestival.com/

Little Sweet Things called Noms

2009-02-10T06:11:00.000-08:00

We got TWO Nominations @ the Treasure Coast International Film Festival:
1) Best Short Film
2) Best Cinematographer
Congrats, Rob!!!!!!
Take a look at the Noms @
http://www.tcifilmfest.com/2009/09Nominations.html

2009, here we come!!!!

2009-01-05T12:29:00.000-08:00

We kick-started 2009 with a New Official Selection announcement: From January 29th through February 11th, TGW will be inaugurating this year's fest circuit in Florida.

Congrats to us all and HAPPY 2009!!!!

Check out the festival's official website, including the 2009 Line-Up!!!
http://www.tcifilmfest.com/2009/09Shorts.html

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-25T12:01:00.000-08:00

TGW is on Youtube right on time for the Holidays!!!!!
Spread the love, share our gift with someone you love!

Here's the link (copy and paste):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZWdjrTmSCs

Audience Award in Filmstock, UK!!!!

2008-11-24T10:22:00.000-08:00

Check out the Royal List @:

http://www.filmstock.co.uk/home.html

Philadelphia falls in love with TGW!!!

2008-10-20T20:36:00.001-07:00

We won Best Romance in Philly this weekend!!!
Check it out:
http://www.firstglancefilms.com/phillyawards.php

We got an Honorable Mention in Orlando!!!

2008-10-13T23:08:00.001-07:00

Iuuupiiiii!!!!!!

Rocking & Rolling!!!

2008-09-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

We've been officially accepted to ROCKPORT FILM FESTIVAL!!!!
Who wants to go? It's in Texas, November 6-8.
http://www.rockportfilmfest.com/

Hola, Orlando!!!

2008-09-11T19:20:00.000-07:00

Another Latino Film Fest another double-booked weekend (October 10-12 --> also SECRET CITY Film Fest) another State another night another dream another jingle jingle jingle bells rock!

www.ohfilmfestival.com

TACOMA, HERE WE COMA!

2008-09-10T15:11:00.001-07:00

The Gift Wrapper is now part of the OFFICIAL SELECTION of this year's TACOMA FILM FESTIVAL (Oct. 2-9)

For a complete list of movies and showtimes, visit: http://tacoma.bside.com/2008/ (coming soon)

TGW Press Kits

2008-09-05T20:40:00.000-07:00

These are the press kits I took to the LALIFF office today!!!

Get Wrapped Up in Historical Excitement!!!!!

2008-09-05T20:21:00.000-07:00

Grauman's Egyptian Theater

From Wikipedia

Grauman's Egyptian Theatre interior, 1922

Grauman's Egyptian Theatre exterior, 1922

Grauman's Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California is one of the world's most famous movie theatres. Opened in 1922, it was the venue for the first-ever Hollywood premiere.

History

The Egyptian was built by showman Sid Grauman, who subsequently built the nearby Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. Grauman had previously built one of the United States' first movie palaces - the Million Dollar Theater which opened in Downtown Los Angeles in 1918. The Egyptian Theatre cost $800,000 to build and took 18 months to construct. Architects Meyer & Holler designed the building and it was built by The Milwaukee Building Company.

The Egyptian Theatre was the venue for the first-ever Hollywood premiere. The film was Robin Hood starring Douglas Fairbanks. The grand opening premiere was on Wednesday, October 18, 1922. The film reportedly cost over $1 million. Tickets were $5.00 for the premiere of Robin Hood. One could reserve a seat up to two weeks in advance for the daily performances. Evening admission was 75¢, $1.00 or $1.50. The film was not shown in any other Los Angeles theater that year.

In 1927, Grauman opened a second movie theater further west on Hollywood Boulevard. In keeping with the public fascination in that era with international themes, he named his new theater the Chinese Theatre. (It eventually rivaled and surpassed the Egyptian in popular fame because of its Walk Of Fame.)

Inspiration for other movie theatres

The layout and design of the Egyptian was emulated by other movie palaces in the US - with several being named after the original Hollywood Egyptian Theatre. Peery's Egyptian Theatre in Ogden, Utah, which opened in 1924, being a prime example [1]. The name Egyptian Theatre has become a popular name for other movie theaters to use [2].

Architecture

The courtyard of Grauman's Egyptian Theatre - circa 2007

The exterior of the theatre is in the Egyptian Revival style. However, the attentive visitor will notice roof pans above the main entrance, items which are not in ancient Egyptian style. The original plans for the theatre show a Hispanic-themed theatre, but at some point these plans where changed to an Egyptian style. It is probable that this was due to public fascination with the multiple expeditions searching for the tomb of Tutankhamun by archaeologist Howard Carter over the preceding years. (Carter eventually discovered the tomb on November 4, 1922 - just two weeks after the Egyptian Theatre opened.) [3] At the time that the change in architectural style was determined, the Hispanic-styled roof pans had already been delivered and paid for - and they were kept and used in the building.

The exterior and interior walls contain Egyptian-style paintings and hieroglyphics. The four massive columns that mark the theatre's main entrance are 4 1/2 feet (1.3 m) wide and rise 20 feet (6 m).

Capitalising on Southern California's sunny weather is the large courtyard (45 feet wide {13.7 m} and 150 feet (46 m) {45.7 m} long) in the front, complete with a fountain and queen palm trees. This is actually the "entrance hall" (the theatre doors used to open directly into the auditorium) and was specifically designed to host the theatre's famous red carpet ceremonies.

Guided tours are offered by American Cinematheque's staff on weekends.

Current state

Reflecting the ebb and flow of Hollywood's popularity as a location, the Egyptian's popularity also changed over the years. As Hollywood declined in the 1980s and early 1990s, the theatre eventually fell into disrepair. In 1996 the City of Los Angeles sold the theatre to the American Cinematheque for a nominal one dollar with the proviso that the landmark building be restored to its original grandeur and re-opened as a movie theatre. The Cinematheque committed to raising the funds to pay for the restoration and to using the renovated theatre as home for its programs of public film exhibition.

The Egyptian Theatre was re-opened to the public on December 4, 1998 after a $12.8 million renovation. The original theatre seated over 2,000 patrons in a single auditorium. In the restored Egyptian the building has been reconfigured to add a second screening theatre. The main theatre now accommodates 616 patrons and is named after Los Angeles philanthropist Lloyd E. Rigler. The smaller, 77-seat theatre is named for Hollywood producer/director Steven Spielberg.

THE GIFT WRAPPER Hollywood Premiere!!!

2008-09-05T20:02:00.001-07:00

THE GIFT WRAPPER will premiere @ the Los Angeles Latino Intl' Film Fest on Sunday, September 14th @ 12:50pm @ the Spielberg Theatre (@ the Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood).

It feels so good to write THE GIFT WRAPPER, Los Angeles and Spielberg in the same sentence!!!!!!! ;)

TGW is part of the "Shorts Love Stories" Program.

WHOHOOOOOOO!!!! (With a British Accent)

2008-09-02T00:47:00.000-07:00

We got in FILMSTOCK, a ROCKSTAR indie film fest in Luton, UK!!!!! (Nov 6-16)
The Gift Wrappeh' s going to EEENGLAND MEE FRIENDSSSS!

A word from the Festival Directors:

Luton, UK
September 2, 2008

Dani,

Let us leaving you hanging no more.

YOU ARE IN Filmstock 2008. Welcome. We can’t wait to screen The Gift Wrapper and have some Christmas romance gracing our fest.

We had about 800 films this year and it was a tougher year than ever. We say that every year but it’s true. The longer you go, the more people want to screen with you, but it’s your film and you that we want this November in Luton.

From now on, consider us at your beck and call (with regard to the festival, we won’t fetch your dry cleaning).

We hope you will come see us in November, we thank you for thinking of Filmstock and we thank you for making a great movie we can’t wait to share with our audience.

Peace

Neil & Justin

Directors

FILMSTOCK 9

6-16 NOVEMBER

LUTON – UK

www.filmstock.co.uk

Another double coming up

2008-08-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

We were accepted at the BIG BEAR LAKE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, from September 11-14... And LALIFF begins September 12...
So... take your pick... The mountains... or Hollywood? Hollywood or the mountains?
I don't think I'll be able to attend Big Bear Lake... but let me know if you are interested and I'll hook you up!

Nothing wrong with double booking

2008-08-22T16:29:00.001-07:00

So... The Gift Wrapper is double-booked this weekend!
It will be screening @ the Landlocked Film Fest in Iowa and @ the Washougal Film Fest in Washington State.
Double Double Cheers Cheers to to That That!

Honorable Mention @ Bayou City Inspirational FF

2008-08-18T13:13:00.000-07:00

Another little Award for our little collection!

Tennessee, here we come!!!!

2008-08-14T15:47:00.001-07:00

TWO NEW OFFICIAL SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED!!!

2008-08-06T15:09:00.000-07:00

The Gift Wrapper has been officially selected @ the LANDOCKED FILM FESTIVAL in Iowa City this month (http://www.landlockedfilmfestival.org/selections.htm) and @ the FIRST GLANCE PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL (http://www.firstglancefilms.com/11officialselections.php) in October.

TGW NYC Upcoming Screenings POSTER

2008-07-10T02:45:00.000-07:00

Now you can download it and send it out to ALL your friends & family, neighbors, colleagues, FaceBook peeps, iChat buddies, MySpace friends, enemies & frenemies on the face of the Earth.

B PROUD - B LOUD - B MERRY!!!!

2008-07-09T22:05:00.000-07:00

I've been collecting these since Christmas...
And I tell ya...
They're QUITE SOMETHING!!!
Hope you enjoy them as much as I did when I read them for the first time.

"Loved THE GIFT WRAPPER. It completely won me over”.
Billy Ray, producer/writer/director (Shattered Glass, Breach)
Los Angeles, CA

“THE GIFT WRAPPER is cozy and old-fashioned, like a cup of hot chocolate. Ms. De Carlo has made Christmas personal again as opposed to the massive shopping spree it is.”
Ciaran Tully
Photographer & Plastic Artist, Dublin/NY

"Wow, Dani - it's beautiful! Seriously. Great job.
We need to get you a BIG directing job now. Anything in the works?"
George Parra, film producer (Sideways)

"You have no idea how happy it makes me to see a short that actually tells a story, entertains, and is so purely (in a great cinematic way) romantic - it's Capra-esque -!
Congratulations."
Pablo Fraga, journalist
Buenos Aires, Argentina

"Wow - how impressive and very beautiful. Well done and congratulations."
Laurie Boccaccio, commercial producer
Los Angeles, CA

"I really liked your movie. Very very sweet. I loved the main actress and the film is full of many special details. In this I can clearly see the influence of your director friend, Alexander Payne."
David Lorie, lawyer/screenwriter
Oakland, California

"That was so amazing! I can't believe it - I'm sitting here with tears rolling down my face.... It's unbelievably wonderful!"
Kate Lane, neonatologist.
Philadelphia, PA

"LOVED IT! The story is well rounded and extremely warm. The photography really pretty; art and wardrobe a plus.
Maritza Tortolero, photographer
Caracas, Venezuela

"This is wonderful!! I showed my mom and she cried."
Amy Lane, fashion buyer
New York, NY

"I just watched THE GIFT WRAPPER times and could keep watching it over and over. I am so very proud of this piece. I feel so lucky to have been a part of it -thank you for trusting me with the role of Ella. You were unbelievable to work with and I am so proud of the final piece. Your vision, your writing and your ability to parlay that to your actors make you a gem."
Wendy Allyn, actor
Los Angeles, CA

"I am OVER-WHELMED with emotion! What a sweet, sweet, touching film. I actually teared up! Daniela De Carlo is TRULY such a gifted director! It is so beautiful! Everyone was perfect! Wendy Allyn sparkled! I feel blessed to be a part of this treasure! I am so amazed!"
Kelly Doherty, actor
Los Angeles, CA

BTS - TAKE TWO!

2008-07-09T20:28:00.000-07:00

Here's a "memoir" from Charlie Farrell, our very handsome leading man!!! :)

"I remember one instance in which I was preparing for the scene involving the romantic final kiss under the mistletoe. Dani recognized that Wendy and I were standing and waiting in the middle of all the technical production work preparing for the shot. There were fans blowing, lights being rigged, people talking and general set work being done all around us. Dani then came up with the idea to play slow Christmas songs on the radio and have my co-star and I dance slowly to the songs while embracing each other. Her insight worked. Instead of being lost in the craziness around us, we were, with Dani's suggestion, able to connect with each other and tune everyone else out until it was time for our final kiss together."
Charlie Farrell ("Him")

Thanks for sharing, Charlie!!!!

BEHIND THE SCENES - TAKE ONE

2008-07-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

Wendy Allyn (our precious Gift Wrapper) sent me these BTS pix today and I was inspired to invite all of our Oh So Gifted Cast & Crew to send me their "Behind the Scenes" memoirs, anecdotes & pix from the making of TGW so that I can post them here!!!...
Let's see what we get!!!...

Thanks Wen for the pix and for sparkling the idea!!! :)

b-side & Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival 2008

2008-07-09T12:25:00.000-07:00

b-side has partnered up with Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival 2008.
Check out our film's page below for great self-promoting opportunities!!!

The more people visit our film page, the bigger the BUZZ it's created... So spread this link like crazy!!

http://bayoucity.bside.com/2008/films/thegiftwrapper_bayoucity2008

TGW New York Screenings in July (@ the HBO/NY Int'l Latino Film Fest)

2008-07-08T12:20:00.000-07:00

Come see The Gift Wrapper on The Big Screen in The Big Apple!!!

Wednesday, July 23 | 10:00 PM
Clearview Cinemas
1871 Broadway (at 62nd Street)

Friday, July 25 | 12:00 PM
Helen Mills
37-139 West 26th Street (Between 6th & 7th Avenues)

Bring Your Friends, Spread The Word, Share The Love!!!

http://nylatinofilm.com/festival_schedule.php

Hollywood... Here we come!!!!!

2008-07-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

The Gift Wrapper was INVITED - repeat - INVITED to the LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL LATINO FILM FESTIVAL!!!!! (a.k.a. LALIFF)
Check out the official invitation letter from the Festival's Director/Programmer!!!

Dear Daniela:

Edward James Olmos, our chairman, and I are pleased to invite you to participate in the 12th Annual Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival to be held September 12 – 19, 2008 by including your short, THE GIFT WRAPPER in our competition program. I'd like to congratulate you on your short, I truly enjoyed it.

The Festival is already a high profile event in Hollywood: last year, over 20,000 people in ten days walked through the doors of the Egyptian Theater to attend screenings, galas and other Festival functions. Our guests are also invited to attend luncheons during their participation and meet independent distributors and industry people.

...

How cool is this?!?!?!?!

Check out their official website @ http://www.latinofilm.org/
However, this year's (12th Annual - LALIFF 2008) info hasn't been updated yet because they're still open for submissions.

TGW goes to NYC!!!!

2008-07-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

We got in the HBO/NY INTERNATIONAL LATINO FILM FESTIVAL!!!!
New York is my favorite city in the WHOLE WORLD so being able to screen our little movie there is a dream come true... And... you know what they say... "If you can make it there, you can make it ANYWHERE!!!!"
It was pretty cool to read the following in the acceptance letter too: "The festival received a record number of films this year and going through all of them is never an easy process. We thank you for giving us your best and for helping us come up with a program at we can be proud of."
I'm sure this will be an amazing fest and I'm proud THE GIFT WRAPPER is a part of it!!!

Check out the fest's official website @:
http://nylatinofilm.com/index.html

Past & Upcoming Festivals

2008-07-08T11:23:00.000-07:00

- MONTCLAIR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (New Jersey, June 11-15)
http://montclairfilmfestival.com/

- WASHOUGAL FILM FESTIVAL (Washington State, August 20-23) http://www.washougalfilmfest.org/)

- BAYOU CITY INSPIRATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (Houston, Texas; August 7-9)
http://bayoucity.bside.com/2008/films/thegiftwrapper_bayoucity2008

Kick-Start @ The Festival Circuit

2008-07-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

The Gift Wrapper first adventured in the festival circuit at the inaugural FAIRHOPE FILM FESTIVAL in Fairhope, Alabama in April 2008.
It was a great kick-start at the festival circuit since The Gift Wrapper won BEST SHORT FILM AWARD!!!!

Check out the WINNERS ANNOUNCED on their website: http://www.fairhopefilmfest.com/

I was lucky enough to attend the festival with my dear friend and one of the stars of our movie, SUMMER CLEMENTS ANDERSON. The magical part of the story is that SUMMER used to spend her SUMMERS in Fairhope as a kid, for her mom grew up there and Summer's grandma, Mop, still lives there!!!!
And of course we all hung out during the fest!!!
Here's a picture I took of Gale (Summer's mom), Mop (Summer's grandma) and Summer before I left that beautiful little town and "The Sundance of the South" Film Fest.

The Gifted Cast & Crew (a.k.a. CREDITS)

2008-07-08T10:48:00.000-07:00

Written, Produced and Directed by Daniela De Carlo

Starring
Wendy Allyn as The Gift Wrapper
Charlie Farrell as “Him”
Summer Clements as Attendant
Kelly Doherty as Donna (“Super-Mom Customer”)

The Gifted Crew
Line Producer…………………………..Elsa Vila
Executive Producer……………………Jason Sterman
Associate Producer……………………Belén Canalejo
D.P………………………………………..Rob Webb
1st A.C……………………………………Chad Eshbaugh
Gaffer…………………………………….Nathan Haener
Camera Operator………………………Jesse Bactat
Script Supervisor……………………….Rebecca Fishman
Production Designer…………….….…Amanda Fernald
Set Dresser………………………………Sarah Harwich
Set Dresser………………………………Alexander Lyle
Costume Designer…………………..…Shannon Turgeon
Stylist………………………………..…….Lilian Gavillon
Sound…………….……………….………Pedro Bromfman
Editor………………………………..…….José Luis Marra
Art Department Assistant Day 1……Mollie Binkley
Art Department Assistant Day 2…….Kimberly Pope
Hair & Make-Up Day 1……….……….Chelsea Grant
Assistant Hair & Make-Up Day 1…...Christie Gobzieba
Assistant Hair & Make-Up Day 1…...Christie Lavataio
Assistant Hair & Make-Up Day 1…...Amanda Stortz
Hair & Make-Up Day 2………………..Vickie Yoon
Casting……………………….…………..Katy Rozelle
1st A.D. ………..…………………………Justin Madero
Production Assistant…………….…….Danielle Gilbert
Production Assistant…………….…….Agatha Grancha
Production Assistant……………….….Alejandra Silva
Sign Language Technical Adviser…..Michelle Banks
Lighting………………………….……….Electro Lighting
Production Supplies…………………...Siren
Gift Wrapping Supplies………….……Soolip
Story Consultants..........................Christine Arroyo, Petra Larsen & Jason Sterman

The Director would like to thank
The whole Cast & Crew
Simon Thirlaway
Pedro, Renato & Vania Bromfman
Kelly Sweeney, Alex & everyone else @ Soolip
Each friend who helped out one way or another

Merry Christmas!!!

Filmmaker's Bio

2008-07-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

Daniela De Carlo - Director, Writer, Producer
Date of birth: 14 January 1978
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

SHORT VERSION:
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina (but also an Italian citizen), Daniela -who speaks five languages fluently- brings a wealth of passion and world experience to her directing projects.
She graduated with a Degree in Advertising from Universidad de Palermo in Buenos Aires (with an emphasis in Creative Media) and studied directing, writing and producing in Brazil. Daniela went on to work for Argentinean production house BENDERCINE as a Film and Commercial Production Coordinator, before taking the leap to Los Angeles, CA. She pursued a Post Graduate Certificate Program in Film/TV/Digital Entertainment Media from UCLA EXTENSION and landed coveted internships for companies such as LAURENCE MARK PRODUCTIONS and DAVID E. KELLEY. Daniela worked with Directors like Alexander Payne, Martin Scorsese, the Weitz brothers, Forest Whitaker and Tony Scott in movies like Sideways, The Aviator, In Good Company and First Daughter, among others.
Daniela became a Production Analyst with Ridley Scott and Associates (RSA) for two years, before leaving in 2007 to launch her directorial career.
Her most recent production, The Gift Wrapper, has won numerous awards and recognition around the world.
Other projects she’s penned which are currently in development include Reel Love (a modern romantic comedy set in Hollywood), Plaza Francia (a musical set in South America) and Blanca (a multi-plot drama set in Buenos Aires). She is also attached to direct Albuquerque, a road-trip movie dramedy written by Cuban-American David Lorié and produced by Tatiana Kelly (Wristcutters).
For her accomplishments, Daniela was honored with an “Exceptional Talent Artist Visa” in the US and for the past year she’s been coaching bilingual actors and directors in L.A.
In addition, she recently signed with CASTA DIVA films, an Italian-based production company partnered with ONYX LATIN AMERICA.

LONG VERSION:
Daniela De Carlo was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
From an early age she showed special interest and talent in storytelling and the performing and visual arts.
One of her most precious childhood memories takes her back to the age of five, when her father bought a SUPER 8 projector and she would watch Disney flicks for hours and hours in her own living room, among siblings and friends.
During her high school years she developed the habit of regularly going to the movies and her love for film solidified.
Daniela studied Advertising to get educated in areas like marketing, mass media, design and psychology while she continued to be self-taught in filmmaking. She was selected by Universidad de Palermo (Buenos Aires, Argentina) to be part of an exchange program in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she spent six months focusing her studies in film. She took courses on Directing, Writing and Producing.
When she returned to Buenos Aires she was hired at a busy production house called BENDERCINE. Working closely with the directors and the executive producers, Daniela learned the basics of Film Production from a practical standpoint.
Daniela graduated in Advertising with a Creative Major in 2001 by presenting her academically acclaimed thesis project "Tango, mate y otras yerbas" (Tango, mate and stuff) and shortly after she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career in filmmaking.
She started off by completing a Post Graduate Certificate Program in Film, TV and Digital Entertainment Media at UCLA EXTENSION and doing several internships in development for companies such as Laurence Mark Productions and David E. Kelley.
Shortly after her graduation Daniela was working with Directors like Alexander Payne, Martin Scorsese, the Weitz brothers, Forest Whitaker and Tony Scott in movies like SIDEWAYS, THE AVIATOR, IN GOOD COMPANY and FIRST DAUGHTER, among others. She assisted, alternatively, the Art, Camera, A.D. and Production Departments, learning all different crafts from the inside out.
After working with Tony Scott in DOMINO, Daniela was offered a full time job at Ridley Scott and Associates (RSA) as a Production Analyst. By working in close collaboration with acclaimed commercial Director Carl Erik Rinsch, Daniela learned all about big scale, top of the line commercial productions from boards to delivery.
In 2007, however, Daniela left RSA to launch her own directorial career and started off by creating her Director's reel with pieces of her own writing. A slice of life comedic spec commercial, a romantic comedy short and a video art piece are among the audience's favorite.
Daniela's most recent production, The Gift Wrapper, won in April the BEST SHORT FILM AWARD at its inaugural festival entry, marking a good start in the festival circuit. Ever since, The Gift Wrapper has toured the globe and gathered numerous awards and honorable mentions.
A recurring participant of Judith Weston's acting and directing workshops at the TWO LIGHTS STUDIO since 2004, Daniela has devoted most of the last few years to perfecting her directing and acting skills. Her efforts and dedication are indeed paying off, for Daniela's first feature, "Albuquerque", a road-trip-gone-stuck coming of age dramedy is in active development.
Among other projects Daniela has in development are "Reel Love" (a romantic comedy that takes place in L.A.), "Plaza Francia" (a musical that takes place in South America) and "Blanca" (an ensemble cast multi-plot drama that takes place in Buenos Aires).
For her accomplishments, Daniela was honored with an “Exceptional Talent Artist Visa” in the US and for the past year she’s been coaching bilingual actors and directors in L.A.
In addition, she recently signed with CASTA DIVA films, an Italian-based production company partnered with ONYX LATIN AMERICA.

Production Notes

2008-07-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

"The Show Must Go On"
One week before shooting we lost our leading actress.
Everything else was ready to go but we didn't have The Gift Wrapper!!!
We decided to find her but of course we didn't have time for a casting call so we spread the word instead.
Wendy came along through Kelly Doherty, who plays Donna, the Super Mom Customer, and even though Wendy had plans to go to New York during our shoot days, she decided to stay and become our Gift Wrapper.
She was certainly a gift from Heaven!!!

"Trivia Mix"
* The Gift Wrapper's store is actually our Line Producer's living room in Venice, California and it took a whole week to dress it!
* In the script, the Gift Wrapper's character's name is Ella, an homage to Ella Fitzgerald, whose voice transcended the power of words.
* The final shot with the snow falling was also the Martini shot on the last day of shooting.
* None of the actors in this film are hard of hearing.
* Michelle Banks, the technical adviser on TGW is a hard of hearing actress based in Los Angeles who starred in The Gift Wrapper's Director's video-art piece THE END three years ago.
* This is the second collaboration between helmer Daniela De Carlo and D.P. Rob Webb.

Director's Statement

2008-07-08T10:36:00.000-07:00

THE STORY
The idea for this movie started out as a challenge I set myself to tell a story with as few words as possible.
Once I had the main character be a gift wrapper, the setting for the story became obvious: Christmas time.
I've always been fascinated by all sorts of human communication and I am a romantic, I believe two people can connect in ways that transcend words and customary forms.
This is how The Gift Wrapper became a Christmas Tale about two people reaching out to each other in a way very few of us do nowadays: using everything BUT words.

THE REHEARSAL PROCESS
None of the actors in the movie are hard of hearing but all of their parts involved either being one or interacting with one, so from the very beginning I wanted to make sure that all of us would explore non-verbal ways of communicating with each other. This is why when the actors first came in for rehearsal, I stuck a note on the door that said: "Welcome to rehearsal. From now on, neither of us is allowed to speak."
It was a great rehearsal!
Later on that day, I had Michelle Banks, a hard of hearing actress I had collaborated with in the past, come and join us. She taught us the lines that needed to be said in sign language as well as many interesting facts about what it's like to be hard of hearing.
The actors asked her questions and interacted with her in their preparation for their roles.
Having Michelle on board as our Technical Adviser was without a doubt an invaluable asset to our project.

MY GIFT TO YOU
From the moment I began conceiving this movie I came to think about it as a gift to whomever would want to see it.
I hope you like it.

The Gift Wrapper, A Christmas Tale - Synopsis

2008-07-08T10:26:00.000-07:00

A gift wrapper works hard over the busy Holiday Season.
A loyal customer keeps on coming back.
There is a precious gift yet to be unwrapped down their path: Right before Christmas, when the snow starts falling and the bells go jingling, they might fall in love.