5Q's w/Elaine Del Valle "Princess Cut" Director
#1: Describe your movie and why somebody should see it? (under 140 characters)
Two women, from opposite sides of the tracks, wind up in an all-night laundromat. Both struggling with pressures of impending nuptials, a friendship is sprung. But relationships soon unravel into bloody murder.
#2: What do you want the BSFF audience to know about your film that isn't obvious from the title?
That Princess Cut is a suspense drama that was adapted from an original, award-winning stage play.
#3: What is your movie making background.
I am an actress, director, writer/author, producer, and casting director.
I first garnered critical acclaim with my autobiographical, one-woman stage play Brownsville Bred, which depicts my true Latina coming-of-age in Brownsville Brooklyn, NY. The New York Times raved, "From Girlhood Trials to Onstage Triumph."
I subsequently adapted my stageplay into a novel; My Brownsville Bred: Dreaming Out Loud was named a "Most Inspirational Young Adult" book by the International Latino Book Awards (2020.)
With the support of Warner Media 150 and the Sundance Institute I will be making the Brownsville Bred film this summer.
My last short film, Me 3.769 (2019) can be seen on HBO.
My original drama pilot, The System, landed a development deal with CBS. Written by me, in The System, a compassionate yet jaded social worker navigates the same broken New York City system she grew up in as she advocates to resolve issues for every family she encounters while struggling to fix her own. I will also serve as co-executive producer.
As the owner and operator of Del Valle Productions & Casting, I have become the go-to person for up-and-coming diverse talent and rising stars for many high profile brands, agencies, and studios. I have led the original casting on Arturo Castro's Alternatino (Comedy Central Digital) and Sonia Manazo's Alma's Way (PBS Kids, Fred Rogers Productions). Both series highlight the multicultural talent in New York City.
I was featured in the PBS documentary Beating The Odds, alongside luminaries such as Michelle Obama. In 2019 Miami News Times named me on their "Filmmakers to Watch" list.
#4: What was the biggest lesson learned in getting your film made?
Just to keep making movies that you love, and run a tight production ship that respects every individual in their respective position.
#5: What does the future hold for your film and you?
After winning a film festival, Princess Cut will air on (and has been licensed to) the HBO Max network. You can watch for it this summer 2021.
