All for the Love of Action and Horror
The Law of Conservation of Energy in Physics states that energy is not created or destroyed, it merely changes from one form into another. While it may seem odd to apply this to the world of film, it nonetheless rings true. Present day seems to offer two viable types of production: the massive CGI laden half-billion-dollar films and the Indie ones with considerably smaller funding. If there’s one lesson to be learned from the history of the industry, it’s that the adventurous nature of smaller productions tends to offer the longest lasting influence. The art of storytelling supersedes all and this is not tied to one specific genre. Vitoria Silvestre of Hillin Entertainment has contributed her skillset as an Associate Producer to a variety of films for the U.S. based production company. As opposed to the legacy production studios, Hillin Entertainment is known for films far more daring and unrestricted than most. Companies such as these and filmmakers like Vitoria Silvestre are proving that there is a sizeable market for storytelling that takes a big swing.
The responsibilities of an associate producer can be highly varied but its essence is communication. Whether facilitating this between the director, cast, and department heads, or assisting with logistics of day-to-day on-set operations, Vitoria’s work on Operation Blood Hunt was crucial to achieving its creative goals. Starring Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Primetime Emmy Award nominee Jonathan Rhys Meyers, this 2024 Action/Horror film found a warm embrace from fans of the genre. Its up-tempo, sometimes furious pace satiated the appetite of those who appreciate their jump scares with plenty of coordinated combat. Vitoria also collaborated with director Christian Sesma on the Hillin Entertainment film Into the Deep. This tale of modern-day pirates who kidnap a boat of tourists and force them to dive into shark infested waters to look for treasure is tension at a fever pitch. Filmed essentially back-to-back, Vitoria spent the better part of two years on these projects and then pivoted to the Action/Sci-Fi Speed Train (also for Hillin Entertainment). A combination of techno-terrorism meets high velocity action, Speed Train’s plethora of combat stunts and special FX necessitated a higher than normal level of production oversight, schedule coordination, logistics, and communication across departments, masterfully handled by Vitoria.
Hillin Entertainment is known for action, tension, and adrenaline laced productions which appeal to a specific type of film fan. As a self-proclaimed lifelong fan of the horror genre, Ms. Silvestre reveled in being a part of the process. She professes, “Getting to see how much work goes into making those scenes feel real, from visual effects to sound, pacing, and final polish, was incredibly interesting. Being part of the process and helping guide these films through their final stages feels very rewarding. It gives me new appreciation for how much work goes into shaping tone, tension, and atmosphere after the shoot is finished. As someone who genuinely loves horror, being involved in this project in such a hands-on way made the experience especially meaningful.”
It’s undeniable that the way the public consumes entertainment has evolved. The benevolent aspect of this is that the public has greater options than ever before. Similarly, creative professionals such as the actors on camera right down to those who orchestrate and organize behind the scenes have increased freedom to take part in the kinds of productions they feel drawn to. The old gatekeepers who dictated which options are available have faded and it will be up to filmmakers like Vitoria Silvestre, who are also fans of film, to craft the future.
Writer : Winston Scott