ABOUT US
The garage, with its strange odors and eclectic mix of automotive products, fishing gear, and the occasional odd household item,
holds a special place in the heart of most musicians. Within its doors, many have discovered the primordial ooze of creativity that
fuels the birth of quixotic dreams. And so it was for two guys with a new camera, a Halloween skeleton, and some time to kill in
between band rehearsal.
Although the band Seven Echo eventually faded away in a “Summer of ’69”-like manner, the dream of having fun for a living lived
on. Unofficially formed in 2003 as a “side-side” project by Frank Dimas Aguero and Felix Ortiz, the fledgling production company
began by rigging a discarded skeleton and setting him up in front of a camera. It was crude, but it got the job done.
Helldorado Films was officially formed soon after, adding old friends Rodney and Oscar Weaver to the mix.
In 2005 Helldorado Films made its San Antonio debut with the short film Salesman of the Year, made for the SA 48HR Experience.
Although a few more short films followed, the goal was always to produce feature length movies. A chance meeting with old college
roommate Andy Ortega led to such an opportunity. While the other Helldorado team members were on a bit of a hiatus, Frank
partnered with Andy and his wife Jennifer to produce the feature-length documentary In One Room, an intimate portrait of
survivors of sexual abuse.
After finishing post-production for In One Room, it was time to resurrect Helldorado Films. The name, however, became a bit of a
problem. It was assumed by many that the name implied the company was strictly a horror movie outfit. The truth was that it had
never made a horror movie. The original name was inspired by the rebellious heroes and villains of the great Westerns of Sam
Peckinpah and John Ford. Nonetheless, it was time for a change.
In 2007, 13Echo Films was born, reuniting Frank with co-founders Rodney and Oscar. Andy Ortega, who spent countless hours
discussing films and writing with Frank at UT Austin, officially joined the fold that year. The new team brings together over 35
combined years of project, managerial, and creative experience in fields as varied as information technology, marketing, writing,
and design.
The cornerstone of 13Echo is its professionalism and commitment to producing engaging, high-quality entertainment.
And the inspiration for the new name? It’s a nod to humble beginnings - a combination of Loop 13 in San Antonio, which traversed
Frank’s childhood neighborhood and Seven Echo, whose real purpose was apparently to form a film company rather than to
become The Ramones.
13Echo is currently in pre-production for the feature film The Dream of Diego Marquez.
To contact 13Echo Films: info@13echofilms.com
The garage, with its strange odors and eclectic mix of automotive products, fishing gear, and the occasional odd household item,
holds a special place in the heart of most musicians. Within its doors, many have discovered the primordial ooze of creativity that
fuels the birth of quixotic dreams. And so it was for two guys with a new camera, a Halloween skeleton, and some time to kill in
between band rehearsal.
Although the band Seven Echo eventually faded away in a “Summer of ’69”-like manner, the dream of having fun for a living lived
on. Unofficially formed in 2003 as a “side-side” project by Frank Dimas Aguero and Felix Ortiz, the fledgling production company
began by rigging a discarded skeleton and setting him up in front of a camera. It was crude, but it got the job done.
Helldorado Films was officially formed soon after, adding old friends Rodney and Oscar Weaver to the mix.
In 2005 Helldorado Films made its San Antonio debut with the short film Salesman of the Year, made for the SA 48HR Experience.
Although a few more short films followed, the goal was always to produce feature length movies. A chance meeting with old college
roommate Andy Ortega led to such an opportunity. While the other Helldorado team members were on a bit of a hiatus, Frank
partnered with Andy and his wife Jennifer to produce the feature-length documentary In One Room, an intimate portrait of
survivors of sexual abuse.
After finishing post-production for In One Room, it was time to resurrect Helldorado Films. The name, however, became a bit of a
problem. It was assumed by many that the name implied the company was strictly a horror movie outfit. The truth was that it had
never made a horror movie. The original name was inspired by the rebellious heroes and villains of the great Westerns of Sam
Peckinpah and John Ford. Nonetheless, it was time for a change.
In 2007, 13Echo Films was born, reuniting Frank with co-founders Rodney and Oscar. Andy Ortega, who spent countless hours
discussing films and writing with Frank at UT Austin, officially joined the fold that year. The new team brings together over 35
combined years of project, managerial, and creative experience in fields as varied as information technology, marketing, writing,
and design.
The cornerstone of 13Echo is its professionalism and commitment to producing engaging, high-quality entertainment.
And the inspiration for the new name? It’s a nod to humble beginnings - a combination of Loop 13 in San Antonio, which traversed
Frank’s childhood neighborhood and Seven Echo, whose real purpose was apparently to form a film company rather than to
become The Ramones.
13Echo is currently in pre-production for the feature film The Dream of Diego Marquez.
To contact 13Echo Films: info@13echofilms.com