INSPIRATIONAL TALE

Although the making of any independent film is a difficult process filled with moments of doubt, it is also a very meaningful and rewarding one. Bruce Newman’s article on our “Star Maps” (“Agony, Yes. Ecstasy? Not Yet,” July 20) didn’t convey the sense of accomplishment and growth that we experienced making a film from the ground up.

We were blessed with amazing contributions from a wide range of people. We had a wonderful group of unknown, primarily Latino actors and an eager crew who shared their incredible talents with us and from whom we learned a great deal, in a working environment of which we are proud. We are sad that they, their efforts and the joys of working with them, although discussed during our interview, were not mentioned in the article. Even when it seemed as though there was little hope of finishing our movie, we were always encouraged and inspired by people who believed in the story we were trying to tell and in the idea that films can be made with few resources.

Right now there is a positive climate for independent films; more than ever, audiences and distributors are interested in them. We are glad and grateful that people will have a chance to see our movie, and to those out there who are working hard to finish their films we’d like to say “Don’t give up. It’s worth it.”

MIGUEL ARTETA

MATTHEW GREENFIELD

Los Angeles

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Arteta wrote and directed “Star Maps,” which Greenfield produced.