previous heroes
Frame Hall unfolds as a collaborative research initiative that gathers voices from the cinematography world. The project shifts attention away from the best known faces in film—actors and directors—and toward the skilled professionals across the many craft disciplines that shape cinema. The aim is to illuminate the craft and the interconnected careers that sustain the Spanish film industry through a multidisciplinary lens crafted for modern audiences in North America and beyond.
This effort is supported by the Art Department of Miguel Hernández University, with teachers and researchers guiding the work. The Massiva Research Group contributes its expertise, coordinated by Guillermo López Aliaga, alongside three registered names and two seasoned editors: Pablo Blanco, a three-time Goya Awards winner, and María Luisa Pino, a veteran of special effects. Their collaboration reflects a shared commitment to documentary-style inquiry and archival rigor within a contemporary cinematic framework.
Paul White has earned recognition across numerous projects, including contributions to There Will Be No Peace for the Wicked. Spanning four decades, his career highlights include substantial achievements in sound editing and documentary storytelling. He has received honors such as the Goya Award for sound work on projects associated with Juanma Bajo Ulloa’s framework in 1997, Enrique Urbizy’s film There Will Be No Peace for the Wicked in 2011, and Alex de la Iglesia’s Witches of Zugarramurdi in 2013. His professional network has supported him through many productions, and he was honored with the Honorary Golden Ficus at the Sant Joan d’Alacant Film Festival in 2022 for long-standing contributions to cinema.
The Frame Hall team is pictured with editor Pablo Blanco at the center, symbolizing a collaboration that brings together the Massiva Group and the Miguel Hernández University community in a shared exploration of film craft and editing practice.
Mary Louise Pino has established herself as a significant figure in the field of special effects, drawing from a background in cinematic montage that includes early influential works. Her career features involvement in major productions such as Conan the Barbarian, directed by John Milius in 1982, and later projects including Titan’s Wrath, Red Warrior, Endless Story, and other large-scale endeavors that showcase practical effects artistry. Her work has been recognized with high honors in the field, reflecting a sustained contribution to the language of visual effects in cinema.
Elements of this collaboration are captured in a photograph that shows the team alongside María Luisa Pino, illustrating the close ties among the professionals driving this research initiative.
In a section devoted to earlier portrayals, the collection highlights recent documentary interviews conducted with the editors. Notable contributors include Theresa Font, a two-time Goya Award recipient for makeup and character work with ties to Alicante, and Pepe Quetglas, an eight-time Goya winner known for enduring impact on screen artistry. The project also features the esteemed cinematographer José Luis Alcaine, a figure celebrated for decades of achievement in the field. The goal is to present a candid, multi-faceted view of the people who shape visual storytelling, beyond the most visible stars.
The Blanco work has already been published and is accessible for study in both physical and digital formats. It is archived in academic repositories and bibliographic collections, and the project was directed by López Aliaga with collaboration from the Sant Joan City Council and the involvement of Miguel Garví, Toni Cristóbal, and Antonio Ruzafa. The collaborative efforts of María Luisa Pino and Aliaga, along with Fran Mateu and Rafael Bonet, reflect a roster of contributors who bring technical and organizational strength to the research project.
As a whole, the initiative emphasizes a grounded, documentary approach to understanding cinema. It connects a network of professionals who influence what audiences eventually see on screen. The emphasis lies on craft, collaboration, and the evolving language of editing and effects that continually reshape film history, while honoring the legacies of those who have shaped the field over the years.