Mark and Lucas, two brothers who live in different countries, meet at a beach in an alternate reality that bypasses the limitations of time and space, to fix their strained relationship and finish the unsolved circles that chase them.

This is not only a story of universal issues like time, distance, relationships and family, but also a tale about immigrants, their challenges, and the effect that daily life has in them and their loved ones. It is crucial at this point in history to bring light to this type of narrative to help us understand our diversity. 

As latino filmmakers, we feel like this story represents us and we want to help others find themselves in it. It's our creative decision to explore this plot with elements of mystery and fantasy, bringing an innovative visual style in this type of film. We want to tell a story that is appealing and relatable to everyone but that also offers a new perspective on the matter.

Mark and Lucas appear at a mysterious beach in an undisclosed location and start meeting regularly to share moments that they can’t have in their life. As the encounters go by, they realize how strained they are by the time and physical distance between them.

Mark feels he hasn’t earned a place in his little brother’s life since he left home, and tries really hard to gain his trust back. Lucas resents his brother leaving during their parents’ divorce but also questions if he himself has anything to do with everybody around him leaving him.

The two brothers used to play with puzzles when they were younger, and the concept of the warped pieces comes to them now to show them that certain things simply don’t fit. As a result, time and space seem to be constantly adjusting at the beach, and enigmatic objects, like furniture, puzzle pieces or a suspiciously blocked set of stairs, present themselves to the brothers, to both facilitate their meetings, as well as to agitate them.

When they stop trying to make their dynamic work and they accept that they are simply at different stages in their lives, they start to understand that although some pieces will just never blend, they’re still part of the same puzzle.

FUNDING will cover the production costs necessary to complete this production. We are operating in an ultra-low budget that prioritizes the essential costs for filming: 

- LOCATION: Permits/State Park Film Monitor (El Matador State Beach, Malibu, California)

- EQUIPMENT

- PRODUCTION related expenses for shooting days (gas/parking/lunch/crafty)

Our selection of PERKS:

- $10 piece: A personal and social media thank you! - We will share our gratitude to you and our followers!

- $25 piece: A digital copy of the script. You can read Warped Pieces before it comes to the screen. Plus the personal and social media thank you!

- $50 piece: A private digital link to the finished short-film. You’ll be able to watch it before anyone else, and all of the above perks!

- $100 piece: Special Thanks in the credits of the film and all of the above perks!

- $250 piece: A personal thank you video from the cast and crew, and all of the above perks!

- $500 piece: LIMITED EDITION. A 2 changes photoshoot with Argentinian Photographer and Graphic Designer Emiliano Paez at the location of the film!

- $1000 piece: An Associate Producer Credit, and all of the above (except the photo-shoot)

Chris Echeverri - Director and Producer

Chris is a Latino independent Filmmaker, Editor and Photographer based in the San Fernando Valley. He studies Film and Television Production at California State University Northridge and has worked on different productions on set, including his own projects that he has written, directed and edited under the alias Project SXGMA. He's currently working on his Film School Thesis "Bye, Alejandro."

“I enjoy working on character relationships and I'm interested on the dynamic between Mark and Lucas in Warped Pieces. People who are close in our lives are always going to be a part of us, and that’s what we want to tell with this story. This is a short film for everyone."

Gaston Leguizamon - Creator, Writer, Producer & Actor

Gaston Leguizamon is an Argentinian actor based in Los Angeles. He has worked in theaters of Buenos Aires as an actor, writer and director and later moved to the United States where he now acts and writes for the screen. His acting training includes, in Argentina: his first mentor into the craft Gabriel Laborde, the Musical Theatre Program at Estudio CEA, and the Acting and Directing Program at Centro de Investigacion Cinematografica. In California, he trains with Acting Coach Lea Floden.

“The alternate universe in Warped Pieces has been presenting to me throughout the years. This place that exists within all of us, with no human limitations, where we can simply be freely. As an immigrant myself and the oldest of three brothers, I found in Mark and Lucas a relatable world touched by distance, disconnection and love; a story very personal to me and to all those who also decided to one day pack their bags and leave in search of new beginnings. We all know a Mark and a Lucas in our life and I can’t wait to bring them to you with this amazing team."

Xavier Orozco - "Lucas" (Cast)

Xavier is an Ecuadorian performer and singer from Texas. He's finishing his BFA in Acting for Film and Television at the Studio School in Downtown Los Angeles. His most recent work includes: "Urinetown", "Maestro" and "Casa de Amor" on film, and "In the heights", "Carrie: The Musical" and "First Date" in Theatre. He's playing Lucas, the younger brother in Warped Pieces.

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Kamilla LeGrand - Producer

Kamilla LeGrand is majoring in Television Production at California State University - Northridge. She has worked on productions with Disney, AppleTV, and most recently, the upcoming feature Lola James. She’s also planning to get her Masters at UCLA’s Producer’s Program and is currently working on her Film School Thesis "Fallen Angel".

“I had a very relatable experience reading the script as I have family abroad, and a little sister I had to watch grow through pictures and videos on my phone. I really wished I had this alternative universe that Mark and Lucas have in Warped Pieces, where I could go to be with them and spend an entire day together. I feel like a lot of people will connect to this story."

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Joseph Smith - Producer

Joseph Smith is a producer, cinematographer and aspiring photographer and musician from San Diego. He graduated from California State University Northridge with a degree in film production and an emphasis in cinematography.

Joseph’s attachment and involvement in warped pieces stems from his love of producing and making films about characters and conflicts that relate to him. With the pandemic being a heavy factor on many of the projects he has been a part of, this story relates greatly with ideas of solitude, distance from one another and the many negative reactions towards being isolated from loved ones. 

“We are trying to make a film that is not only very well story-driven and produced well but also really cinematic.”