Aldo's America

I enjoyed watching your film. It was an interesting profile of the issue of immigration in America. (GL) I think people can easily distance themselves from stereotypes ("us vs them"). It's great to know that there is an outlet like CTV to contribute to the discourse of these timely issues beyond soundbytes.
*After the end of your film there is a quote (at 13:25) talking about his friends' response to his illegal status, "but you're not like them." Was that quote in the film? I thought it was a great, candid moment.
Thanks for your meaningful feedback on my films. I'm glad you took the time to watch the film about Alejandro. It gives a voice and a face to complement the issue-oriented, statistical "Border" film.

Ok Melody, technically speaking, what happened to 5 mins of the film?, its all black, then you have a piece of the edit line at the end?.
I guess you have to go back to the timeline and clean that up. BTW Current how can you NOT notice such blur? This person has produced twice for you?

Now talking about the film, I can't say I am impressed, I can't feel empathic towards his attitude, and I tell you why, I know plenty of "illegals " who are being very productive right now, legally I should ad. In fact there are millions that are very productive.
I feel that his laissez faire attitude is less than exemplary, yet his got the knockout girlfriend on his side, saying that there is nothing he can do?. Well there is and they know the answer. On the other hand he talks about latinAmerica like there is some kind of medieval system in place. How does he know that? Is not perfect, but far very far from the reality he "envisions"

I am sorry this piece is trying to exploit the latest trend in news and although I do feel strongly towards this cause, the film failed to inform me of a new objective side of this human tragedy.

Very solid piece with a really engaging main character. Why would "we" want to get rid of this guy? makes you think...

this came out really nice. i do have to agree with vladbox on one point about the the 5 minutes of nothingness and then a funny clip at the end (which should definitely be included). However i disagree on a couple other things; the whole point of the film is that being illegal limits a person from having a normal life where they can pursue their dreams uninhibited, of course he can be productive but does he have the freedom to do with his life what he wants as a citizen would? hardly. and about latin america- medieval? i dont remember that in the film, but i do remember a small piece of information that reflects the truth about how tough it is down there, other wise so many people wouldn't be trying to get out, duh.

Kundalalita, I am not saying that is not tough "down there" but in the film he mentioned something about how in LatAm there are trash companies picking up the "dead bodies of the poor kids on the streets"
That is simply NOT true. The use of "medieval" is to describe how Aldo depicted his vision of LatAm. Also freedom is a very relative term. The great thing about the US is that you could pursue that "economic freedom" Like I said I know "illegals" that own property and bussineses (some of them dont speak as good english as Aldo), they found ways legally through the system to economically be in a better position, so it can be done.

BTW I dont disagree with the essence , their plight, I do agree strongly, I just did not like the way it was presented.

Really good piece. If I was born a year earlier i would have been an immigrant myself. My older brother is, but most of my family have recieved their papers, with the exception of a few cousins that recently came over from Trinidad. This is a good piece, a definite green light.

PS: I almost didnt watch it because it listed the run time as 13:56. It is actually about 9 minutes, you have an editing error that may be discouraging alot of poetential views.

TrEVS

i'm not sure about latin america, which he didnt specify when saying this anyway, but the dead body trash pickup is true about some 3rd world countries where people die but shouldn't be left there rotting, and they can't afford a funeral.
Yes, they have more economic freedom here, but many have to cut a lot of corners and try extra hard to attain certain things that a citizen can get very simply. and i think he was talking about limitations on his dreams of going to a university and becoming educated, where you wont be accepted now without citizenship or a lot of money.
I think maybe one of the reasons you disagree with the way it is presented is because this is about a specific situation that may not apply to all illegals. this is about a person who was brought here without a choice, raised here and feels like any other person raised here, but because of a deportation notice that won't be lifted without an act passing through congress has a very tough time getting the same benefits that citizens do. this is about a ridiculous situation in which someone who was raised here feels like an outcast because of his official status, and who shouldn't be forced to go back to a place he doesn't know regardless of whether it is medieval or not.

Hey guys, Im working on getting the problem fixed. I emailed Current, so I am just waiting for a response, but the video is only 9:30, not 13:56. Hopefully it will be fixed soon. Thanks!

I empathize with Aldo's strife. This is a beautiful film that speaks to everyone, all walks of life. Just putting the understanding out there. It really moved me.

thanks!

It was like Aldo was describing my own story.

Evocative

it is a very well done peace. Strong narrative, good editing, charismatic character, and nicely shot. I do thinnk it could have been cut down a bit, as Aldo's comments got a little redundant towards the middle of the film. Just a little cutting would resolve that and make the pod, even more powerful and interesting to watch, I think? But, I feel it is worth a very big G.L. just as it is! Also, thanks for your comments on my POD. I was very touched by them. I will address the questions you asked on my site. Did you shoot and edit this piece? I think the credits said you did? Are you in LA? I may have a project to discuss with you, if interested? Good luck with this! I feel it is destined for TV!

If we let all the people into this country based on the conditions of the countries they are migrating from there will not be enough room for all of us.I'am not against immigration,but people should do it legally.If they can not follow the law let them go some where temporaily until the time comes for them to become citizens legally :we are not the only free country in this world

Nice job. I enjoyed this perspective on the issue, it broke the sterotypes that so many people have and brought about a more personal connection to the immigrant issue.

Incredible.

Sooooo ready for TV. Get it out there. Come on Current! This is it!

I loved it. Long pod, watched the whole thing. Powerful, informative, great perspective, complete story, very impressive.

Recognized some Garageband loops- hahaha. Gotta love Garageband...

Great job Alison, very powerful,
hope everything work out for Aldo

Nice job Allison, I liked it.

No sympathy for Aldo though.

How could someone not have sympathy for this person? It was not his fault that he was brought here when he was a child! No matter what your feelings about immigration what about compassion towards other human beings?
This short shows us one persons story. Imagine how many others are out there. We should help them not turn on them, everyone should deserve a chance at our "American dream" This film is an eye-opener. More things like this should be on television. Bravo! Thanks Aldo for sharing your story with us, and thanks Allison for putting it out there!

"It was not his fault that he was brought here when he was a child!"

You're right, it's his mother's. This still doesn't entitle him to citizenship no matter how much he "demands" it. He is here ILLEGALLY and he knows it but STILL feels he should be treated like any legal, tax paying citizen of the United States. Wrong.

I see United States as a Country of Immigrants in the first place. Just think where one of your grandparents or grand-grandparents is from. I think it is hypocritical to call someone an illegal immigrant who spent three quarters of his life in a country and who WANTS to pay his taxes.
And if he would have a decent education he would actually pay much more taxes and be more useful for the society.

"I see United States as a Country of Immigrants in the first place. Just think where one of your grandparents or grand-grandparents is from"


I know where they are from and they all became legal citizens.



"I think it is hypocritical to call someone an illegal immigrant who spent three quarters of his life in a country "


It's not hypocritical, it's the law. You can spin it however you want.

Uplifting and Enlightening clip.

what an incredible pod. i am SO feeling aldo. this is what is missing from this discourse about immigration reform. regardless of where you stand on the issue, it's important to take that stance from the standpoint of being informed -- we need to hear from more aldos in order to see this issue through a lens with integrity. sadly, current may be the only venue, at least on television, to hear this side of the story. well done!

Brings a welcome depth and great empathy to a subject grievously oversimplified by the mainstream media. Very nicely put together.

Brings a welcome depth and great empathy to a subject grievously oversimplified by the mainstream media. Very nicely put together.

Great pod. Good story on a hot topic. GL!

TJ Walkup of www.omnifcpictures.com says : This is a very emotionally charged issue. Good record of a man deserving of citizenship. He deserves every chance and I hope he gets it.

Melody you have heart!

Great subject on a hot topic. Check the audio. It seems to be split (L) and (R) at some points with music on one and voice on the other. Also, sometimes there is no audio on (R).

Maybe you could hold onto the stills for longer in the beginning march sequence and future sequence. I wanted to see them. Your returns from stills to interview are often jarring. Try a dissolve or fade down.

Music is great for story transitions with proper fading and mixing. The piano music is great and then, sadly, ends abruptly. Could extend it to "fork in the road" sequence and see more of similar themes in other areas of piece. It helps lessen the jarring color to profile B&W cuts later in piece.

Could be shortened a bit. "Cold, illnesses.." seems off topic. Cut any repetition. Starts off strong but slows before lawyer sequence.

This is partly style but also technical. You were great with the subject and cover important dramatic points with grace.

Thank you for making this piece.

GREENLIGHT

Very topical, and a great character. Congrats on a great pod.

I loved the human face you put on the illegal immigration issue. You did a wonderful job of developing your character. Adding his girl friend really worked. Great job!

so this guy comes in here illegally, and not only takes an american job, but our women! one of the fine ones too....man...

hello from Canada :) i just got home from my one month trip to Australia ~ it was amazing! i watched Aldo's documentary and i gave it a greenlight too! i hope that this does air on t.v. because i think that this topic is important for every American, and Canadian for that matter, to be made aware of. i will keep in touch with you and Genevieve to know what and how things are going for you both! thank you again so much for helping me, a complete stranger, out when i needed a friendly face in LA. your kindness will never be forgotten! i love you guys and consider you to no longer be strangers but friends, now and forever!!!
luv Vanessa

It feels like everyone has expressed my thoughts/opinions, but just a great and topical pod. Definite greenlight from me and can't wait to see it air on Current.

I am greenlighting this pod because I thought the central character was a very good representation of an immigrant struggling to get citizenship. However, I think this pod could have been a little more balanced in its representation of the issues. I am a child of immigrants but get very annoyed when illegal immigrants and their supporters act as if they have done nothing wrong with their action. The US has a lot of opportunity and wealth, and there should be an atmoshpere of openness and sharing here. However, citizens who reep the benefits of living here also need to pay TAXES, which keep our schools, hopitals, and all other public institutions running. I sympathize with the Aldo's story, but don't feel like he is a victim.

This is really great to see the immigration situation through Aldo's eyes. It is easy to choose a side of a debate without knowing how this debate affects the lives of others. Nice job.

This is really great to see the immigration situation through Aldo's eyes. It is easy to choose a side of a debate without knowing how this debate affects the lives of others. Nice job.

i understand you.

What a great reminder of the promise of the American Dream.

I thought these two looked familiar
link

Fantastic Work!

What a well crafted, beutiful depiction of something very important.

I cant wait to see more...