Filming a Mezcal Documentary in Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca presents unique opportunities when it comes to exposing the viewing public to mezcal and other agave-based beverages (i.e. pulque), so working towards getting it right is of extreme importance. Part of it all is ensuring that the right subjects are selected, and that cultural sensitivity is maintained at all times. Mezcal Educational Tours assists with every step of the process, from initial consultation via email and then possibly a call or two, through post production. We even have access to professionals to assist with translations in cases where subjects are speaking in only Spanish.
Your fixer assists with releases, accommodations, palenquero (distiller) subjects, Spanish language issues, legal matters, and day-to-day filming:
The cultural milieu of Mezcal: While addressing each of the foregoing is crucial for a successful documentary film centering upon mezcal, we believe that the most important aspect of the process which will lead to the best possible production, is ensuring cultural sensitivity on the part of your crew while dealing with the local subjects you are filming. Alvin Starkman is a social anthropologist with decades of understanding and teaching the importance of what’s known as cultural relativism.
Within the context of filming a documentary about mezcal in Oaxaca through the lens of distillers and their family members, the best achieved result comes from having someone on the ground who intimately knows the people and their customs and cultural norms. Regretfully, we have on occasion worked with teams of film makers who lack the requisite sensitivity, and unless they are carefully and subtly instructed upon appropriate practices, the crew and its subjects end up working against one another, rather than in unison. It is the latter which leads to the best possible film production result.
It’s ALWAYS wise for the consultant / fixer to meet with the crew here in Oaxaca, prior to setting out on the first day of filming, or alternatively at minimum with the pre-production crew to provide a heads-up for discussion with the film crew.
FAQs
The earlier you make first contact, via email, the greater the likelihood that we will be able to accommodate your anticipated dates for visiting Oaxaca, both for pre-production and for filming.
Yes. We are a full-service consulting firm. We work closely with a bilingual Oaxacan attorney whose specialty is mezcal and other agave distillates. While we have drafted releases, and in fact Alvin Starkman is an attorney, he is not licensed to practice law in Mexico.
We have been cultivating relationships with Oaxacans involved in all aspects of mezcal production for in excess of three decades in the case of Alvin. During our first email exchange, and perhaps during our calls to the extent they are advised, we discuss your more specific requests such if you want to film both clay pot and copper alembic production methods, are interested in the agave harvest out in the fields, want bilingual subjects, want to concentrate on female producers, and so on.
Mezcal Educational Tours was the first company of its type in the state of Oaxaca to offer both educational excursions and consulting services. We have been cultivating relationships with mezcal distillers and their families in some cases for over 30 years. We have worked with documentary film production companies from the US, the UK, Canada, and even Israel, on themes including industry sustainability, agave distillates more generally, and in fact on related topics such as Oaxacan cuisine and ingredients. We are consummate bilingual professionals. A more detailed CV is available upon request.
Absolutely not. Many guests are simply curious travelers interested in rural culture and traditional craft. Our excursions emphasize education, cultural context, and personal interaction as much as tasting.
