Five Colombian Below-the-Line Film Talents Highlighted by Variety
7 reported
Variety has profiled five below-the-line film professionals in Colombia, citing the country's competitive incentives and skilled crews as assets for international productions. The article notes that Colombia's film trade has developed through years of on-set experience and formal training, working across feature films, commercials, television series, and documentaries. It states that Netflix's "One Hundred Years of Solitude" has helped generate new talent in the region. The five individuals highlighted are Andres Barrientos (1st AD), Wilmar Benavides (gaffer), Carlos Fernando Vélez García (location manager/line producer), Diego Gallego (cinematographer), and Cristina Medina Trujillo (production designer). Each professional is described with their career background, notable credits, and personal philosophies about their work. The article is based on a single source, Variety, and has not been cross-referenced with other outlets.
What’s reported
Colombia offers incentives and rates that can reduce production budgets by as much as 50%.
Netflix's "One Hundred Years of Solitude" is described as the company's most ambitious series in the region.
Andres Barrientos worked on Zack Snyder's "The Last Photograph" and Christopher Nolan's "Tenet."
Wilmar Benavides has been a gaffer for 11 years, starting his career at age 19.
Carlos Fernando Vélez García has 23 years in the audiovisual industry, including a decade as a location manager.
Diego Gallego's international breakthrough came with Ciro Guerra's "Embrace of the Serpent," which earned Colombia's first Academy Award nomination.
Cristina Medina Trujillo has designed more than 20 series for Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, ViX, Discovery Kids, and Nickelodeon, along with over 700 commercials.
Key figures
Andres Barrientos, 1st AD
Wilmar Benavides, Gaffer
Carlos Fernando Vélez García, Location Manager, Line Producer
Diego Gallego, Cinematographer
Cristina Medina Trujillo, Production Designer
Sources: Variety
