Union Editorial has taken charge of the editing for the groundbreaking four-part series, The Foundation of Belleza, produced in collaboration with SEPHORA, Digitas, and NBCUniversal.
The series features Latine beauty entrepreneurs Babba Rivera, Desiree Verdejo, Carina Chaz, and host Adrienne Bailon-Houghton. Daniel Luna served as Supervising Editor, with Nadine Mueller and Eleanor Infante editing individual episodes, and Otto Mertins handling trailer editing.
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The series, helmed by award-winning writer and director Gabriela Ortega, explores the wisdom passed down through Latine generations, unraveling the essence of “belleza” (beauty). Produced in collaboration with NBCUniversal’s Creative Partnerships, Digitas, and creative studio Ventureland, the series began streaming exclusively on Peacock shortly before Thanksgiving.
In The Foundation of Belleza, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton interviews influential beauty entrepreneurs, including Babba Rivera, Founder/CEO of Ceremonia; Desiree Verdejo, Founder/CEO of Hyper Skin; and Carina Chaz, Founder/CEO of Dedcool. The series delves into Latine beauty culture, rituals, and the entrepreneurial journeys of these inspiring figures. Watch below:
REELated:
“What I love the most about filmmaking is collaboration, and when it comes to post, communication and openness is key,” said Ortega. “Working with such experienced, creative and honestly fun teams at Union and Hunter made this project not only creatively fulfilling but allowed us to deliver at the highest level. I am also very proud of and happy with my collaboration with Daniel Luna, our supervising editor. Working with someone culturally connected to the project was key to setting the tone of the whole series. This series needed representation in front of and behind the camera, and I was grateful to have Latine’s leadership in the edit room so that we could lend the project the sensitivities it deserved.”
“This was my first collaboration with Gabi, and we really clicked,” added Luna, whose recent work includes the Save Our Water campaign starring Niecy Nash and Danny Trejo; he is currently editing Honda for Nate Edwards/Orci. “Docs are about finding the story; it begins with examining tons of raw material, then finding the throughline. Adrienne was a fantastic host and catalyst of these conversations about themes of beauty culture and rituals in Latine culture, transmitted through the stories of these entrepreneurs.”
Ortega acknowledged the unpredictability of documentary filmmaking, noting the opportunity to reshape the narrative during the editing process. “Documentary is very unpredictable and by the time we get into the edit, we have the opportunity to rewrite the story from scratch,” Ortega concurred. “This project was an ambitious one and it demanded the best of everyone involved. I am so excited for future collaborations with these incredible teams.”
The series marks a significant step in bringing authentic Latine representation to the forefront of storytelling in the beauty and entrepreneurial landscape, with Union Editorial playing a pivotal role in shaping its narrative.
CREDITS:
BRAND: Sephora and NBCUniversal/Peacock
AGENCY: Digitas
CREATIVE STUDIO: Ventureland
- Director: Gabriela Ortega
- Executive Producer: Natasha Wellesley
- Agency Producer: Marissa Mackel
PRODUCTION COMPANY: North of Now
Producer: Nick Boak
EDIT: Union Editorial / LA
- Supervising Editor: Daniel Luna (and Editor of Episodes 2 & 4)
- Editor: Nadine Mueller (Episode 3)
- Editor: Eleanor Infante (Episode 1)
- Assistant Editor: Julia Armine
- Assistant Editor: Otto Mertins (edited episode trailers)
- Producer: Haydee Robles
- President / Managing Partner: Michael Raimondi
- EP: Joe Ross
TELECINE: Hunter
- Colorist: Carolyn Woods
- EP: Logan Aries
VFX: Hunter
- VFX Artist: Mannix Rickenbacher
- Composer: Rene Boscio
- Sound Design Company: Hunter
- Sound Designer: Milos Zivkovic
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