There's a spark that ignites when Cristina Barres Isac enters the room. It's a warm, intense flame that once illuminated the lecture halls of Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, where she formerly taught oral communication and visual arts. But now, this glow is illuminating production sets across Mexico. With a transcontinental leap from the classrooms of Venezuela to the bustling production studios of Mexico, she embodies the spirit of adaptability and resilience that is always carried within her.
The projects Cristina works on are not mere additions to her portfolio-they are reflections of her passion and dedication. One standout project in her portfolio is the campaign she spearheaded for Expedia, directed by Justyna Obasi and produced by Nicole Powell.
One part of the campaign, titled "Matteo," takes viewers on a captivating journey with a manga-loving teenager who dreams of visiting Japan. To finance his trip, Matteo takes on various odd jobs, diligently saving every penny.
In Mexico City, Cristina scouted diverse locations, including downtown streets, that required meticulous traffic control and closures. The team strategically scheduled the shoot on a Friday afternoon to capture the essence of Matteo's delivery bike adventures, taking advantage of reduced traffic due to an upcoming demonstration. The result was a stunning sequence of Matteo navigating the city's streets with agility and style.
Another important location was an old house, which underwent meticulous set dressing and art design to transform it into the cozy home of a middle-class Mexican family living in California. Despite a demanding shooting schedule spanning only two days, the team successfully captured a multitude of scenes, including a lively family dinner, guitar lessons, a car wash, a supermarket visit, and dynamic shots of Matteo sprinting through the streets. Cristina, the driven production manager, deftly negotiated access to the various locations, ensuring smooth transitions between each set.
The grand finale of the commercial took Matteo to Tokyo, Japan. The talented young actor embarked on a thrilling adventure, filmed against the backdrop of the vibrant city. Taking charge of the logistics, Cristina meticulously arranged Matteo's flight and accommodation, ensuring he had a memorable experience shooting the remainder of the commercial abroad.
Another captivating aspect of the campaign was titled "Sonia & Bill," the team ventured to the scenic town of Tepoztlán, just an hour's drive from Mexico City. This part of the commercial showcases Sonia and her loyal companion, Bill, escaping from a cold climate to bask in the warmth of Mexico. The production crew dedicated an entire day to capturing the enchanting landscape of Tepoztlán, employing a drone to take breathtaking aerial shots. Despite the logistical challenges of transporting the crew back and forth on the same day, Cristina expertly managed the operations, ensuring a seamless and successful shoot.
The behind-the-scenes efforts of Cristina and the dedicated team enabled the Expedia campaign to transport viewers on unforgettable journeys, showcasing the wonders of travel and the power of dreams.
On projects like the Expedia campaign, Cristina emphasizes that one of the critical aspects of her job is making sure everyone on set, from the camera crew to cleaning services, feels valued and heard. She believes an exceptional producer understands the production process and excels at cultivating relationships with brand clients, agencies, directors, celebrities, and artists. By nurturing these connections, they create a collaborative environment that maximizes creativity and success, making their achievements in the industry remarkable.
Cristina Barres Isac sees herself continually growing within the industry, collaborating with more well-known companies like Expedia and using her experiences to guide the next generation of producers. Her journey from Venezuela to the sets of commercials for some of the world's most well-known brands is not just a career transition story-it is validation for aspiring producers that through passion, the power of kindness, and teamwork, anything is possible.
