Acting and Recording a Story from Salarrue: La Siguanaba!

Friday, the 6th of December 2024, 7:00 PM

           When our professor asked us to record a video based on La Siguanaba by Salarrué, we knew exactly why it had to be this story. It’s one of El Salvador’s most famous legends, and we felt proud to recreate it. Also, it’s the kind of story that grabs everyone’s attention, spooky, intriguing, and perfect for a project like this.

           The goal was to interpret the story and understand the literary elements behind it. It was part of our English Literature I course, but honestly, it felt like more than just an assignment. We wanted to make it realistic, so we went all out, even choosing to record at Ilopango Lake. That setting added a chilling vibe that really matched the atmosphere of the story, we really wanted to show that we were creative enough to recreate the story.

           Getting ready was both fun and a little stressful. We focused on costumes that resembled what fishermen might wear, which helped us stick to the story’s setting. Also, we gathered things like hats and a tree branch, and we only added a few extra lines to the original text. Those small details made a big difference when it came to making everything feel authentic.

           Of course, recording at the lake was a little bit challenging. We were terrified of dropping our phones into the water, it would have been catastrophic. On top of that, we forgot flip-flops, so walking around hurt more than it should have. Memorizing our lines fast enough was not easy either, and a few strangers were watching us, which added a bit of pressure. Despite all that, we managed to make it work, thanks to the support of the whole team.

           Speaking of teamwork, it was honestly one of the best parts. Daniel, Bryan, and I were the actors, and Bryan also took on the role of cameraman. Tania and Abigail did the narration and editing, and they were incredible. Everyone brought something special to the table, and it showed in the final video.

           Some of our best creative choices were filming at Ilopango Lake to match the vibe of the story and putting so much effort into our costumes. Those little touches made everything feel more real. Personally, I felt excited and confident the whole time. Being surrounded by friends who are so supportive made all the difference. The most memorable part? Definitely recording the dialogues and wrapping up the shoot. After we finished, we all jumped into the lake for swimming, which we had never done together before. It was such a fun way to end the recording activity and celebrate what we had accomplished.

           When I look at the final version, I feel proud. It might not be perfect, but we achieved what we set out to do: recreate La Siguanaba tale as realistically as we could. The whole process showed me how well we work as a team, and it reminded me how much I enjoy these creative projects. If I could change one thing, it would be to remember those flip-flops because my poor feet would have definitely appreciated it!

           Overall, this project was not just about recording a video; it was about connecting with a story that is deeply rooted in our culture and doing it justice. It was fun, meaningful, and a memory I will always keep near to my heart.

See you in the next post, oh wait this is the final post. Thanks for coming all the way until this point!