DE GRINGO A LA TUMBA is an elevated, race-against-time DRAMA, rated “R”, set in both the U.S. and Mexico, with similar qualities to SIN NOMBRE, MAN ON FIRE, & TRAFFIC.
Director/Writer Jacob N. Stuart is an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker, with over 20 movies produced to screen, airing in over 10 different countries. His films have screened at over 60 film festivals. His latest international award-winning feature film AN ADDICTING PICTURE is currently streaming on Amazon Video. He is the Founder of Screenwriting Staffing, an online community that connects film and television industry buyers/professionals with screenwriters. His company has facilitated over 100 produced films, including the highly popular Hallmark Christmas telemovie A BRAMBLE HOUSE CHRISTMAS (2017). Jacob holds a film and entertainment business degree from The Los Angeles Film School. He previously taught
screenwriting at the Hollywood International Film Academy.
Why is now the time to make a film set along the U.S.-Mexican border? From THE BORDER (1982), which stars Jack Nicholson, set in El Paso, to SICARIO (2015, 2018), which stars Benicio Del Toro, set in Nogales, Americans & Europeans have craved content on the border. But with immigration, asylum, & a wall making headlines daily, there has never been a better time to illuminate what’s really happening on the border.
According to STATISTA, Netflix’s largest subscriber rate will come from Latin America by 2023. We are so committed and positive of the growth and sustainability of Mexican cinema that we penned an article defending our case: HOLLYWOOD MADE A DEAL WITH MEXICO; IT’S TIME SCREENWRITERS & FILMMAKERS DO, TOO!
Don’t let the word “GRINGO” fool you. This film is about a Hispanic mother and aunt working together, with the help of a gringo, to give their daughter/niece a more stable life. 4 of the top 6 characters are female.
The producers for DE GRINGO A LA TUMBA have a completed screenplay, partial funding, an award-winning director attached, a full shooting schedule, 75% of locations locked (with on-location photos), LOIs signed, above-the-line budget completed, a script breakdown, and named talent attached such as: Magi Avila (Dog eat Dog & First Kill), Eric St John (Ride the Thunder & Isle of the Dead), Michael Ochotorena (Love by Drowning & John Light), Avijah Scarbrough (Los Angeles Spectrum New Host/Reporter), & Jason DeRoss AKA Lazy Dubb (Rapper for Bad Girls Club, Ugly Betty, Keeping Up with the Kardashians & Without A Trace).
Eric St. John (playing GRINGO) recently made the first round of selections by The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, for the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his starring role as John Ripley, in the movie “Ride the Thunder”. A character based on real-life war hero Col. John Ripley from the bestselling book “Ride The Thunder” by Richard Botkin. Eric’s Instagram following is just under 70K. Eric is an American actor residing in Los Angeles. He is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts New York. Some of his Television and Film credits include General Hospital, Passions, It’s a Miracle, True Beauty This Night, Troubled Child (The Boarder original title), Being American, Bullet, with Danny Trejo, Jonathan Banks, and John Savage. As a model, Eric has worked for clients including Nike, Chrysler, Men’s Fitness, Roar Clothing, IndyMac/OneWest Bank, and Corbis. He is a highly skilled Martial Artist and won the Gold medal in the Black Belt Division in Taekwondo in the Jr. Olympics. Eric is trained in Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Jeet Kune Do, Kali, Boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is also skilled in Japanese and Filipino based weapons.
I had an opportunity to speak with Jacob while he was driving in his car on a return trip from Ciudad Jaurez, Mexico, a ‘sister’ city to El Paso, Texas. He was pumped and excited to speak about De Gringo De La Tumbra (From Gringo To Grave).
As writer, director, and a co-producer, you have a lot of time and energy invested in this film, is this a passion project?
Jacob N. Stuart.Absolutely! This film is very close to my heart and I relate to the Gringo character. Having lived in California, Texas, and now along the Arizona-Mexico border, I can tell you Mexico (and their people) play a pivotal role in our economy. For instance, there are Nurses and First Responders for the Covid-19 Pandemic in El Paso that live in Ciudad Juarez. Due to COVID border restrictions, we have actors in Mexico who cannot cross into the states with just a Visa. The closed borders make life and making a movie very difficult. My goal is to create a film that honestly represents the realities of borer life — both the good and the bad. I’ve been very blessed to meet some wonderful and caring people in Ciudad Juárez.
What made you choose Eric St. John for the lead actor?
Jacob N. Stuart. Eric St. John is Gringo! Besides the fact that he is over 6 feet, has been a body bodyguard, is skilled in Self-Defense, Martial Arts, and Weaponry, he doesn’t camouflage into the Latin population. His visible presence as an obvious ‘gringo’ heightens the tension, increases the stakes, and potentially challenges his mission. Plus, he’s a great guy and fun to work with!
Why did you want to make this film?
Jacob N. Stuart. I wanted to do an authentic story that would connect to a Global Audience. The struggle of humanity to survive and provide the best and safest world for their families and the people whose goal is to help them create that world.
Thank You, Jacob, and thanks for Screenwriting Staffing!
To fully understand the scope of the project (budget, visuals, comparables, earning a profit, ROI, production schedule), please visit: www.screenwritingstaffing.com/gringo
To access our private producer and investor page, please visit: www.screenwritingstaffing.com/producers-investors
Jacob N. Stuart & Daniela Marquez jacobnstuart@screenwritingstaffing.com
323-422-914
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