“Cut” she yells as the 12-hour shoot day comes to a close. She runs her hands through her hair and smiles to herself. Never in a million years did she think that beyond her younger self's love for writing would lie a lifelong passion to storytell.
“I've always been a writer,” she said. “My family knew that. I didn't know where that writing would take me, but it led me to film.”
Benavides, an RTF junior pursuing a certificate in fiction creative writing, was raised in Los Angeles as the daughter of a father who shared her passion for stories. When her father passed away in 2017, he left her with the understanding that she would finish what he started. Now, she spends her time at Moody being involved in organizations like producing for Texas Student Television or being an active member of Women in Cinema. Her film, 6 minutes and 45 seconds, started as an idea for her advanced production class.
“6 minutes and 45 seconds is a story about Carla and Miguel,” she said. “They're both 17 years old, and we get to spend the last six minutes and 45 seconds with them. I was going to do a film about gun violence, and find a way to show a story that could change people's perspectives and give them a closer look at someone that went through it.”
Benavides always knew she wanted her stories to be powerful, but it wasn’t until 2018 that her passion for providing awareness for gun violence in America was lit.
“The Parkland shooting happened, and there was a victim named Victoria Gonzalez, and her boyfriend passed away,” she said. “His name was Joaquin. She did a lot of interviews and is still advocating to this day. I remember seeing that really sticking with me. I (knew) I was going to do a film about gun violence, and find a way to show a story that could change people's perspectives and give them a closer look at someone that went through it.”
With recent events taking place in Austin, the story of 6 minutes and 45 seconds is more relevant than ever.
“It is extremely upsetting, especially for students,” she said. “The thing that lets me get a little bit more positive is that I've done something at least a little bit impactful, right?,” she said. “That's enough. That's all you can ask for, right? I think that if one person's mind gets changed, it's worth it.”
When it comes to your vision, Benavides knows that it’s a fine balance between fighting for your own creativity and fostering a space for collaboration.
“Make sure people are committed to the idea that you have, because if you have people that are not so much into the story you want to tell, then they might not put their all into doing that for you,” she said. “Make sure people are ready to tell a story as much as you're ready to tell your story.”
As she navigates working as a woman in cinema, Benavides knows that she approaches filmmaking with a unique perspective and voice as a leader.
“I'm a very unconfrontational person,” she said. “I was a director, but I didn't want to put myself in a hierarchy where everything that I say is true. I think it's also really important to listen to the people around you. Especially as a woman, it can be so hard to stand your ground.”
Looking ahead, Benavides urges student filmmakers to put themselves on an equal playing field. She encourages that a level of mutual respect and hard work will fuel everyone’s passion at the end of the day.
“No matter who you are, be kind,” she said. “That stays with people more than how good you are at doing something. If you're kind and you're fun to work with, everyone will remember you.”
As far as what’s next for her, Benavides dreams of one day directing a feature-length film fighting for more topics that she believes deserve a platform. She hopes to continue to provide a voice for the voiceless through art.
“Take care of your heart, take care of your work, especially as a woman,” she said. “Make sure you're able to tell your story, and don't let anybody change that.”
