Guardian Angels

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

Do You Believe in Angels?

I do. Because I grew up catholic, my belief in angels was something that developed in a very natural, organic way.  When I was about 6 years old, I was having terrible nightmares that were keeping me up at night. After telling my mom about this, she suggested I prayed before going to bed. She told me that we all had a guardian angel who protected us at all times.  My mom also bought me this beautiful porcelain angel that she placed right above my bed. My nightmares immediately ceased.

What are angels?

After reading many definitions for "angel" from different sources, I chose the simple definition google offers.

an•gel   /ˈānjəl/

noun
1. a spiritual being believed to act as an attendant, agent or messenger of God, conventionally represented in human form with wings and a long robe.
2. a person of exemplary conduct or virtue.
3. a person who supports a business financially, typically one who invests private capital in a small or newly established enterprise.

I have encountered many "human"angels in my life - from my childhood best friend to two total strangers who came to my rescue when my car got stuck in the snow on a bitter cold Minnesota winter day.

We also have probably been "angels" to at least one other person in our life.  Just think about how your actions and your simple presence affect your surroundings and every single person who interacts with you. These people that are touched and affected by your actions and energy also have the same effect on others. It is like a domino effect. Well, I would describe it more like a source or "core" that branches out in every direction and multiplies exponentially.

According to the definition provided by google, there is an "angel" who financially supports newly established enterprises. We could say then that I was an "angel" to the production of "Looking for Clarissa" - at least an "angel INVESTOR." Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had chosen to not invest in this film. I start thinking of all that money I spent on the production of the film and on attorneys I hired to litigate this case... the money I lost in business due to Alfieri's slanderous allegations. I would have close to $500,000 in the bank!... Or would I? Does it really matter?

What matters to me is that when I decided to put money in this project, I did it believing it was a good investment into a future I wanted - film production. I was also helping a loved one achieve his dream of becoming a film director.

I have been so fortunate to encounter so many angels in my life path. Some have come to help me learn valuable lessons. Others have come to simply keep a door toward new ideas and opportunities open so I can walk through it.

Because we are angels to one another, we always have the opportunity to be generous and kind with our actions.  A selfless act of kindness is certainly angel-like behavior.

Thank you  - Mom, dad, Teresa, Karla, Marcela, Norma, Fernando, Sandra, Flor, Eloisa, Lourdes, Ken, Jason, Diana, Marjorie, Angie, David, Vivian, Gina, Arthur, Brian, April, Natalie, Alessia, Erik, Raul, Jorj, Tieg, Carlos, Jaime, Mike, Natalia, Hugh, Noel, Ian, Martha, Ka, Andrea, Erica, Jenna, Zee, Marco, Mary, Ricardo, Laura, Matt, John, Can, Christine, Roxane, Eva, Miguel, Marianne, Frances, Debra, Hass, David, Brad, Patricia, Dan, Becky, Sharon, Angelica, Alan, Bobby and Kevin.

And a special "thank you" to all those angels who have been supportive during this Trevino-Alfieri saga. I don't need to give specific names. You know who you are.

Some of these angels are still an important part of my life while others have left in not the best of terms. It really does not matter. What I know is that they have all touched my life in a meaningful way - they have helped me become who I am in the world today.

Disclaimer – As of October 15, 2018, all legal issues have been resolved. This resolution was reached during arbitration. There are no pending issues related to fraud or theft. The resolution was mutually agreeable. There will be no more posts written about this story.

Six Degrees of Separation

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

------

According to Wikipedia -

Six degrees of separation is the theory that everyone and everything is six or fewer steps away, by way of introduction, from any other person in the world, so that a chain of a "friend of friend" statements can be made to connect any two people in a maximum of six steps.

I could not agree more with this theory. In fact, I would not be surprised that new technology, social media networks and instant digital communication with even the most remote places worldwide, have resulted in a considerable decrease of that six-degree stretch.

Last week, I was trying to find an attorney in Rome to help me with my lawsuit. The film was shot in Italy and one of the defendants resides there. It made sense to me to get some legal guidance from someone who can navigate the Italian judicial system and who has handled cases such as mine... Maybe not exactly like mine, but cases that cross country borders.

I went to the Italian Embassy's website. The website provides a list of attorneys who are familiar and experienced with both the US and the Italian legal systems.  I wrote to all of them. Most of them replied immediately. A couple of them called me as soon as they read my message.

I have to admit that it was refreshing to talk and correspond via email with some of these Italian attorneys. They were very helpful and willing to listen. They were so animated when they talked... and that lovely Italian accent!

Because the attorneys I contacted were located in Rome, it was not so surprising that they knew of Calcata and have been there several times.  After all, it is just a 45 minute drive.  One of the lawyers said, "oh, Calcata, yes. I have been there many times. I go eat there often... beautiful place!"

I did not expect what was to happen when I googled two of the attorneys to whom I talked. I found their LinkedIn profiles. When I was about to request to connect with them, I realized that we already had over 100 connections in common.  This happened with both of the attorneys, not just one! Over 100 people in common! Who could ever imagine that!

Isn't it incredible how close we already are to people that we consider "strangers"?  Has it ever happened to you that you meet a person and when you request his/her friendship on Facebook, you realize you have at least one friend in common?... And this mutual friend lives in a different continent!

I believe that the theory of six degrees of separation is becoming increasingly evident. I would even dare to call it "six degrees of connectedness." If we had "imaginary" string and used it to individually connect to every single human being that we personally know... and if all these people were also to connect in the same manner to everyone they know, we would end up with a complex human network that covers the entire world, leaving nobody out.

It is just like our physical body. We have legs, arms, head, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, internal organs... that are somewhat independent but still part of a whole. It is the same with humanity although we sometimes seem to forget. So, let's reach out to our loved ones, our community, our nation, our neighboring countries.... and those who seem to be so far and unreachable. Remember that six degrees do not separate us... but connect us all. In reality, we could not be closer to one another... We are one.

Disclaimer – As of October 15, 2018, all legal issues have been resolved. This resolution was reached during arbitration. There are no pending issues related to fraud or theft. The resolution was mutually agreeable. There will be no more posts written about this story.

Above the Law

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

---

When I started my relationship with Victor Alfieri in 2010, he told me about all these different issues he had at that time. He was losing his California home, was getting very little work as an actor and had some debt. He showed me a court notice for a hearing to which he had to appear. It had to do with money that a credit card company was trying to collect from him.

He told me that he did not owe that money, that it was his ex-wife's debt, that she had maxed out their credit cards. I remember asking him what items had been purchased with the money owed. He pointed at his big screen tv, at the furniture. I smiled at him and said, "well, you have the items, why do you refuse to pay?" He was clearly angry and started saying that it was his ex who made the purchases, that he was not responsible. Although I believed that he should pay the balance owed, I offered to call the credit card company and/or collection agency to try to get to an agreement before the court appearance.

I did get him a $600-700 reduction. I even got them to agree to take monthly installments. I told Victor  the good news. He was not happy and said he would fight and ask the judge to order his ex-wife to pay for this debt. I asked Victor if he had gotten any other court notices. He said no.  "Everyone has the right to give their side of the story," I thought. However, I still believed he should have taken that offer.

I went to court with Victor. We were sitting in the last row of the small courtroom. He kept mocking people who were approaching the bench when their cases were called. I told him to be respectful because we were in a courtroom. Finally his case was called. He approached and stood in front of the judge.  I was surprised to hear the judge talking non-stop without giving Victor a chance to say one word. I heard the judge state that Victor had ignored all the court notices sent to him. The judge also said that Victor had been given the opportunity to respond and did not do so.

When Victor requested the opportunity to address the court, the judge loudly said, "you already had an opportunity before. Judgment in favor of plaintiff."

When we were walking out of the courthouse, Victor admitted to having received notices from the court and having ignored them, thinking they were not a big deal. I told him that when an issue is brought to civil court, it goes from the hands of the "private" parties and put in the hands of the court system.  Those notices were coming from the COURT, from a judge, I explained.

It is my opinion that Victor Alfieri believes he is above the law. He already used "the law" against me. His lawsuit contained slanderous claims about me. He used my own money to finance that lawsuit. He pocketed additional money from the budget. He finished the movie and has no intention of ever reimbursing me for my investment. And he still believes the "law" cannot touch him...  that I should "move on" and let him get away with what he did and continues doing.

I filed a complaint against him, his mother, Daniela Carloni and his two production companies on April 15th, 2014.  Alfieri was served on April 16th, 2014. See post "The Service"  for video. He has not filed an answer in court yet.  He has until May 16th to respond.

Because I have filed a "verified" complaint swearing under oath that all the statements contained in the submitted document are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, he also has to respond in a similar manner. He has to admit or deny each allegation (paragraph) of my verified complaint. And he also has to do it under oath.  It will be interesting to see his responses. I wonder if he would blatantly lie and deny facts or even statements the he, himself, previously gave under oath during his deposition.

Please go to bottom of the page for the complete complaint filed in court ---

Laws are created to govern our actions and behavior. Laws dictate what is "right" and what is "wrong," what is allowed and not allowed.  These laws are meant to protect our rights and wellbeing. In theory, laws are a great way to maintain balance and fairness. However, it is evident that there are flaws in every country's judicial system - Justice does not necessarily prevail every time.

There is an inherent "legal system" that rules human existence. It is our conscience - that inner voice that tells us when our behavior and actions are "right" or "wrong." We are our own judge. We are the toughest, least forgiving judge we will ever find. We know when we have done something that goes against our principles, morals and values. We know when we are hiding a dark truth. We are also the only ones who can ultimately forgive ourselves. That self-forgiveness can only be achieved if the "wrong" has been acknowledged and somehow rectified either with a sincere apology or proper amends for our actions. Everything can be forgiven - EVERYTHING - as long as we can regain our inner balance and peace through honest, kind, compassionate and generous actions towards others and ourselves.

Please click below [read more] for complete complaint

Final Cut

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

-----

About three weeks ago I received a DVD with the final cut of the movie I financed. I watched it right away with a good friend of mine who happened to be visiting me.  I was so happy to finally have the chance to enjoy the long awaited completed product.  Later that day, I brought the movie over to another friend's home. I watched it again with 3 more people.

Just a couple of days later I traveled to Mexico and brought the movie with me. The reason I brought it with me was that I needed re-watch it and write down comments and suggestions for the "talented" director, Alfieri.

My sister Karla expressed her excitement to see it. She could not believe that the movie - the subject of so much scandal and drama - was in fact completed. We both sat down and watched it.

I am reserving my comments and opinion for now. I will not share what others thought of the movie either.  I do promise that I will be updating this specific post when the time is right. I will share my opinion and feelings about the "final cut" I received.

What I can share right now is this:

• This movie is 100% Alfieri. It is clear that Alfieri did not listen or consider anybody else's input when having the movie edited and completed.  
• This movie shows Alfieri's talent at its best - as a writer, director and producer.
• This movie is proof of how much Alfieri has to offer to the filmmaking industry.

Due to the great shock of my watching this masterpiece three times, I got physically ill and was in bed for several days. I was not able to write detailed comments and suggestions until just a couple of days ago. As soon as I emailed my comments to Alfieri's personal assistant, I received a response informing me that they had gone ahead with the final sound mixing and completion of the movie without considering any of my comments. They claimed that I was 4 days too late. I was supposed to submit my feedback within 2 weeks after receiving the final cut.

Why wouldn't they wait for my feedback? I am the financier of this independent film! Now they claim they want to "follow the guidelines" of the agreement I signed with Alfieri and Bondolini Productions. How convenient, right?  Bottom line is, Alfieri wouldn't have considered any of my feedback anyway. So, this independent film is 100% Alfieri made. It is the product of Alfieri's limitless creativity and directorial talent.

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

Post-Production

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

-----

On January 4th, 2013, Victor Alfieri stopped communicating with me and threatened to take legal "actions" (not action, but actions).

He now has a PA with the initials C.R. who is being communicating with me and giving me updates on post-production.

I know that this personal assistant is Victor himself or one of his girlfriends. How do I know? It is a coincidence that this PA has the same writing style as Victor and makes the same grammatical mistakes.

It really does not matter what the truth is. What matters is that Victor feels comfortable communicating through a third party - real or imaginary. At least, I am getting updates on what is going on.

He claims to have new investors but fails to provide any names or executed contracts/agreements. He simply writes what he is doing and refuses to listen to any of my concerns, feedback or suggestions. He claims to be "working together" to finish the film. This is unfortunately not true. He is merely keeping me informed of some of the things he is doing (without providing any proof whatsoever) while our contract clearly states that he needs my written authorization for ANY changes in the budget or terms of the financing agreement (including other investors etc).

This is the last email I received from his "assistant" on February 20, 2013.

Ms. Trevino:

We are pleased to inform you that Bondolini Productions, LLC has obtained additional financing for the Sound Mix and Mastering.  Bondolini proposed the same deal we made for the color correction investment ($5,000) and the new investor have accepted: both of these investments is $17,000 in the aggregate is pari passu with you, one E.P credit each, the standard 120% ROI on the investment but NO BACK END DEAL (no points). 

Bondolini has received $12,000.00 from the second investor yesterday, which rounds out this most current raise.  However, as stated above, the recent raise is completely accounted for at this time, but Bondolini has no money left to pay the remaining balance to the Editor, who has already rendered services. 

NOTE:Victor had to invest his money into LLC Franchise taxes for the year and accounting balance so the sound mix and mastering will be paid with the second investor's money. Sound Mix balance $10,000.00 and Mastering 1,900.00. Victor also forward $600.00 to the Editor lowering the new balance to $2,400. 

With respect to Bondolini's balance due to the Editor we have the following options: 

 a) you can come up with the remaining cash ($2,400.00) by next tuesday Feb 26 to pay him; OR 

 b)  Bondolini will include the Editor's balance-owed as part of the production cost, and deem the balance-owed as an investment in the production, and    make him one of the EPs with the same deal terms as stated above.   

Bondolini need an answer on which way you want to go by Friday at 5 pm PST.  Once we obtain the final cut, we will send it to you so you can review it. 

SOUND MIXING AND COLOR CORRECTION WILL START ON MARCH 4TH 2013 AND IT WILL END ON APRIL 29 2013.
C.R.

I just replied to the previous email five minutes ago. My response was this:

C.R,

I do NOT agree to have the new investors get EP credits. I agreed to co-executive producer or associate producer credit. No more than that. Only people investing 50k or more should be considered for an EP credit.

I want the full names of these investors, their notarized executed agreements/contracts and proof of their investment.

I want proof of payment to editor. I want his name and a letter/receipt from him stating the total of the money he has received. I want the same from any other post-production person working on this project.

I do NOT agree to give the editor an EP credit for the 2,400 he is owed. He can get deferred payment with a 20%, second position. No EP or any other producer credit. 

I am aware of the importance to be clear with our communications since there is a binding contract that shall not be breached. So, this is why I am voicing the points with which I disagree.  

Adriana Trevino

Many might wonder why I bother to express my disagreement to the proposed points made by Alfieri. The reason is that I believe I should be clear with my communication and should not say I agree to something I do not. I am in this current position because I did not speak up when I should have. From now on, I will always act with integrity.

Let's hope this movie gets finished and gets distributed...

Disclaimer – As of October 15, 2018, all legal issues have been resolved. This resolution was reached during arbitration. There are no pending issues related to fraud or theft. The resolution was mutually agreeable. There will be no more posts written about this story.

Conflict on Set

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

--------

I am writing this particular post with no intention to badmouth or judge anyone. I understand that actors and crew are not bringing forward any complaints or claims of harassment or abuse. I certainly do not want to create animosity or hostility among anyone involved with the movie production. I will simply be sharing what I personally witnessed and experienced.

ITALY

The shooting of the film started on May 9th, 2011. This was my first project producing a feature film. It was also the first feature film for Victor Alfieri (as a writer, director and producer), Joshua Fine (production attorney), Clark J Gable and some of the other people involved in this production.

It would be reasonable to expect to run into some problems. After all, this was in independent film, shot in Italy - not an easy project to handle.

Pre-Production

Budget

Putting the budget together took extensive work. Victor spent endless hours revising the budget. The projected expenses seemed reasonable to me. I gave the OK.

Script

There were several problems with the script. The script was not completely ready until a couple of weeks before the cast and crew flew to Italy. And apparently, there were other changes and additions even during filming.

Contracts

On March 20, 2011, I signed the Investment Agreement. I had just become the "Executive Producer" and sole financier of "Looking for Clarissa" (formerly "Looking for Clara"). I read the contract and realized that it was pretty much "one-sided." I had no guarantees - not even the right to take over the film and distribute it if Bondolini Productions failed to fulfill his side of the agreement.

I remember saying to Victor, "this contract seems one-sided" and jokingly adding, "you are not going to stab me in the back, are you?" To what he replied, "of course not, baby. I would never do that. I love you."

Casting

I was not allowed to be present in any casting calls or auditions. Victor claimed that it was best not to interfere with the casting process claiming that an Executive Producer NEVER participates in this part of the process. This sounded inaccurate to me. But I did not argue, as I had so many other things to do anyway.

Wardrobe, Travel, Accounting

Victor asked me to make sure the three lead actors got the "right" wardrobe for the movie - a task I certainly did not enjoy doing. Victor would obsessively demand to see pictures of every single item of clothing, especially those clothes to be worn by the lead actress. 

I made flight reservations for the crew and American cast - an easy task for me, as I fly for work every week. I also was in charge of the accounting and of paying the crew and actors. Everyone got paid at least 50% of their fees in advance, including Victor.  I was the only person who did not get compensated - not even a penny - for any of my work.

Production

Clark J. Gable

Clark's manager, Roxane Davis, was well aware of Victor's lack of experience making an independent film. She wanted to protect her client. In a message to her attorney, she wrote: 

"There is nothing LEGAL about this production. I have an unruly, condescending director wherein numerous violations have occured.  He may just need your clarification on what the laws actually are.  All the issues could have easily been solved with simple communication, but now it's turned into one violation after another.  Clark is the only talent with a manager and Victor Alferi seems to take offense to that.  Unless simple protocol is followed from this point forward we will need to further this in a legal and effective manner under California State Law. "

Clark at Piazza San Pietro 

Victor had problems with Clark even before the beginning of the filming. Victor wrote to me a very angry email telling me that Clark was sick and missing rehearsal. Victor stated that he did not want to be Clark's babysitter.

There was another incident when Clark got sick again. This time he was extremely sick (details in my proposed cross-complaint). 

Victor initially refused to provide Clark with any medical attention claiming that it was Clark's own fault. 

Victor and I had a verbal altercation where I expressed how dangerous it could be not to take him to the doctor. I was extremely concerned about Clark's wellbeing. 

Yelling at me, Victor angrily said "I am not paying for this with production money!" I responded, "I will pay for this with the cash I brought to Italy!"

Calcata, Italy

Harassment and Abuse

It is true that Victor is Italian and likes to make sexual jokes as he stated during his deposition.  The problem is that even jokes could be considered sexual harassment in the workplace.

"If you bend over maybe I will give you more lines," "if you cuddle with me or give me a hug, you will get more lines."


Asking for sexual favors, even jokingly, as a condition for work - in this case, more lines for the actor who complies - constitutes sexual harassment.

Victor admitted himself to saying this to two of the lead actors. (See "Sexual Harassment"post).


The first Saturday I was in Calcata, Italy, Nicole Sienna, the lead actress asked to be allowed to leave the village to spend the rest of the weekend in Rome. After all, those were her days off. Victor prohibited her from leaving Calcata, the medieval village.


He explained to me that he worried that something could happen to her, that she could be abducted, be involved in an accident or something catastrophic like that. He also said that we would not be able to complete the movie if she did not come back. He said, "I am protecting the production by not allowing her to leave."



I did think that it was not a good idea for her to leave for the weekend. She did not know Rome, did not speak Italian. It would be terrible if something bad happened to her.  I thought of the movie "Taken" and backed Victor on this decision. She left anyway. She was back Monday morning on time to start the work day.

Nicole Sienna, the lead actress approached me and asked to talk to me in private.

She showed me several pages with a long list of incidents when she felt sexually harassed by Victor. She documented these incidents and had a description and date for each of them.

I went to talk to Victor immediately. I could not allow any harassment on set. He became furious when I told him what she had said.

The three of us had a meeting. She could not admit, in front of Victor, that Victor had done anything wrong or unprofessional.

She might have been intimidated by Victor's yelling and knowing that she was in a medieval fortress with nowhere else to go.

After this incident, it is my opinion that Victor became extremely hostile and abusive to Nicole. He instructed everyone not to talk to her. She was ostracized. I was the only person in the production team that was allowed to talk to her. During the filming of one scene, he angrily yelled at her simply because she asked me to hold her coat and phone while she filmed the scene.

I was so scared of Victor.  He seemed to be out of control. It could have been the long hours on set and lack of sleep. Whatever it was, I was determined to protect everyone to the best of my ability and to not allow this production to fall apart.

I will not say that everything was conflictive. There were great moments during the making of this movie. I felt that we were all a big family working together.

With some cast and crew in Rome, Italy

Disclaimer – As of October 15, 2018, all legal issues have been resolved. This resolution was reached during arbitration. There are no pending issues related to fraud or theft. The resolution was mutually agreeable. There will be no more posts written about this story.