"Point of View: A Dogumentary" by Filmmaker Cristina Ramirez-Mares

Cristina Ramirez-Mares

California State University, Northridge

California

Graduation Date: 2007

Documentary

As five dog owners spend a couple of days trying to convince each other that his or her opinion of dogs is "right" and the other opinions are "wrong," it becomes evident that their clashing beliefs go much deeper than how they view their animals. Confronting issues surrounding cultural and social class differences, their encounters provide a thought-provoking look at whether or not society is willing to cast aside its judgments in order to understand different ways of life.

As humans, there are countless things that separate us from one another. Our nationality, social class and gender all contribute to our forming opinions about what is ugly, beautiful, right and wrong. Cultural upbringings cause us to see the world one particular way, and we often cannot comprehend how anyone could see things otherwise.

At first glance, it seems that these differences are only relevant regarding larger issues such as religion or politics. Yet we create opinions based on insignificant things, such as skin color, age and clothing, assuming that if others don't act or look like we do, we're superior to them. These judgments separate our society, making it nearly impossible for people from contrasting backgrounds to find something that they all agree on.

The seemingly uncontroversial topic of dogs symbolizes how our diversity and judgments keep us from agreeing on even the simplest of things.

Producer

California State University, Northridge

Cristina Ramirez-Mares has a passion for the business. Barely a year out of the Cinema-Television Program at California State University, Northridge, Cristina was hired by Weller Grossman Productions to work as associate producer on the National Geographic Channel’s television project, “Hitler and the Occult;” while in the area of cinema, she recently worked for New York based Plum Pictures as assistant to the producers for the feature film, “Trucker,” which was just accepted for the 2008 Tribeca Film festival.

Professionally Cristina’s desire is to produce and has demonstrated her gift for detail by working as a researcher for several episodes of the History Channel’s “UFO Files” and the Food Network’s “Chefography.” Through it all she continues to demonstrate her desire and ability to learn by putting in the hard work necessary to gain a foothold in the industry.

As a film student she produced “Point of View: A Dogumentary,” “Slackers,” and Rainy Day Charlie #20 in ‘04,” but outside of her course she worked on several projects in various roles. Cristina served as production designer on the independent feature, “13 Months of Sunshine,” worked as playback operator on the independent short, “Pretty Dead Girl,” featured at the Sundance Film Festival, and served in various roles on an additional independent feature and two graduate film projects. Aside from the roles already mentioned she has served as art production assistant, boom operator, best boy and production assistant.