Oswego, N.Y- Oswego State is receiving bigger name-speakers as years go on, especially for the media. The newest name on the list is Miguel Coyula, one of biggest filmmakers in Latin America. Along with him was actress Lynn Cruz who presented workshops for an audience interested in directing and acting.

Coyula is known for his political-heavy films such as Nadie (No One) and Memorias del Desarollo (Memories of Overdevelopment.) He presented screenings for both films and a Q&A session for each film.

In Cruz’ first workshop, she showed students how Coyula creates effects for his movies. Stop-motion style, Miguel adds images from magazines or other sorts of things into backgrounds of a film shot. Her second event was a presentation on the difference between acting in theatre and film. Oswego State professor Ulises Mejia, who organized the event, was present to translate what she said to the audience. Cruz says directors should learn about their actors on both the personal and work level in order for acting in a movie to feel more genuine. She also loves to co-direct with Miguel. ”I don’t only work as an actress but also behind the camera. I’ve discovered in my opinion that the actor’s role is more difficult,” Cruz said.

Coyula believes the film industry in Cuba is changing instantly because of the country’s westernization. “Directors aren’t working as independently as before, most films are now commercialize. The film industry began so filmmakers can only work as independently. But now that’s all changed,” Coyula said.

At the end of the event, Coyula showed a snippet of his current movie in production, Blue Heart.