By: Logan Beck 

On Nov. 2 in Temple Performing Arts Center, David Miranda Hardy, an MFA graduate from the Film and Media Arts Program at Temple University, presented the pilot for his new Chilean TV series, Bala Loca.

Since its release, Bala Loca has received rave reviews in Chile. The show finished airing in September.

The series is about a 50-year-old seasoned journalist turned entertainment mogul. After an accident, Mauro Murillo is confined to a wheelchair, and must rebuild his life as he knew it.

After a fellow journalist and colleague is murdered in a supermarket shooting, Murillo suspects that her death was no random incident, and decides to begin investigating corruption within the Chilean society.

Following the screening, Hardy participated in a Q&A session with FMA department chair Jeff Rush, in which he engaged with students and faculty alike about his experiences at Temple, in the industry, and beyond.

According to Hardy, the inspiration for Bala Loca began when a close friend started using a wheelchair in his 30s.

“I wanted it to be about a man becoming disabled in the peak of his career,” Hardy said.

Hardy built the narrative of Bala Loca based on his personal experience learning about disabilities, combined with the theme of distrust in Chile regarding institutions.

According to Hardy, the series has been extremely well-received in Chile, resulting in what he calls “immediate fandom.” He credits Temple with giving him his first experiences writing, directing, and collaborating with peers while sharing his creative process.

“The courses were great too,” Hardy said. Both Eran Preis and Jeff Rush really did teach me how to write.”

Hardy believes that every young aspiring filmmaker or professional should find their “partners in crime,” and build a network to rely on for support, encouragement, and constructive criticism.

“For me, makes the pleasure bigger when you succeed and the grief shorter when you don't,” Hardy said. “I am not great with self-discipline, so it also helps to be accountable to your partners.”

Hardy says that maintaining a positive attitude, requesting feedback from others, and always looking for ways to improve are key to being successful in the industry. As for the future, Hardy hopes to continue his career in academia, as well as in film.

“In general I want to keep generating content that is meaningful, that is political, that has some social commentary and that engages as much people in the conversation as possible,” Hardy said.  “I hope I can do that as producer, writer or director.”