Coming of Age Documentary

Sara, Zoe, Sharon, and Astghik—four inseparable childhood friends—have just graduated from a bilingual elementary school. As they step into middle school, each girl embarks on a different path, attending separate schools and facing new challenges. Their daily connection begins to fade, replaced by distance, unfamiliar routines, and the quiet ache of growing apart.

This coming-of-age story follows four girls as they navigate the uncertainty of adolescence without the constant presence of the friends who helped shape them. It’s a tender exploration of identity, resilience, and the enduring power of friendship—even when life pulls you in different directions.

Budget Allocation

• Meals and Snacks: Providing food and refreshments

• Transportation Costs: Covering gas and travel expenses for location shoots and crew mobility.

• Equipment Rentals: Supplementing our existing gear with additional equipment as needed to maintain high-quality production.

• Festival Submission and Exhibition: Supporting costs associated with submitting the film to festivals and securing venues for public screenings, helping the story reach a wider audience.

Your support helps us create a meaningful, inclusive documentary that honors the voices of young girls navigating change—and ensures that every step of the process is handled with care, professionalism, and respect.

Team Bios

Director: Bryan Gomez

Bio: Bryan Gomez, the director of Así Somos: Nuevo Comienzos (This is Us: New Beginnings). Bryan Gomez, being 24 years old, was born in Ventura County and then moved to the San Fernando Valley. He is a CTVA TV Documentary Major with an emphasis in Sound and Editing.

Producer: Martin Saenz

Bio: 28 years old and a CSUN student. He is a CTVA TV Documentary Major, specializing in cinematography and sound. He has worked on several class projects and served as both producer and cinematographer for the film “Asi Somos”

DP: Adrian Laguna

Bio: Adrian Laguna is the cinematographer for “Así Somos (This is Us)”. He is a 23 Year Old from East Los Angeles who is also a first generation college attendee. He is a CTVA TV Documentary major with an emphasis in cinematography and editing.Cinematographer: Guadalupe Blancas Mayorasgo 

Bio:  Guadalupe Blancas Mayorasgo is one of the Cinematographers & Director of Photography for “Así Somos (This is Us) - New Beginnings”. She is 23 years old and was born and raised in the San Diego County. She is a Television Production Major with an emphasis in cinematography and a Minor in Public Relations.

Sound: Hirayma Vizcarra

Bio: Hirayma Vizcarra is a 25 year old documentary film student at CSUN, pursuing a degree in TV Production with a minor in Communications. She specializes in editing and sound and has gained extensive experience working on both individual and collaborative projects. Her roles have included editor, producer, cinematographer, and sound designer, most recently contributing to the documentary “Así Somos.”

Post Sound Production: Joshua Hurst

Bio: 21-year-old CSUN student from Ladera Heights, California. He is a CTVA TV Documentary Major specializing in sound design and post production. He is also the founder of Hustle Nation Sound and a Hip Hop/RnB Record Producer.

Editor: Benny Arcano Jr 

Bio: Benny Arcano Jr is the editor for “Asi Somos (This is Us) - New Beginnings”. He is a 21 year old student at California State University Northridge, majoring in Documentary Production with an emphasis in video editing. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Benny discovered his passion for storytelling through film early on and enjoys using editing to bring emotion to stories. From making short little funny videos to being an editor for a thesis documentary will always amaze him. He is excited to work with his team and finish this last semester strong!