I filmed this video last year, and didn't have the energy and time to edit it until now. I tried to work on it a few times, but it was not until last week that I felt ready to share what I wanted to say,. And I noticed how, when I felt ready, all the editing process, recording my voice, color grading it, etc., everything just felt easier than usual. The sharing part still feels scary, but I am so proud of creating something real, raw and honest that I can barely feel the fear. I want so bad to see more authenticity in the world, so this is my offering to the universe. Thanks for letting me share it with you. Love, Ale Directed, produced, shot and edited by: Ale Fragoso Starring and voice over by: Ale Fragoso Music: Birdsong - They Dream By Day Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ale_fragoso/

Special thanks to Emils Gludins ( https://www.instagram.com/egp.psd ) Thank you for being my friend! Thank you for helping me with this video! Thank you for everything! Here's to more years of having fun like kids! And Thanks to My "UlaFam", Z, Christel, La Nena, Diana and Guillermo. For being there! You guys are special! I see you! I love you! I am here for you! Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ale_fragoso/ Website – https://alefragoso.com/ -- Music Planting the Seeds - David Celeste Paradigm Shift - Gavin Luke

Closeness I believe that the best part of being human is the capacity for real intimacy and connection, which, at the same time, is one of the hardest things to achieve in life. We feel terrified by it because, to be able to achieve that, we need to allow ourselves to trust, to be vulnerable with someone and be truly seen by that person. I am all up for being vulnerable, but I also know we need to choose who we trust. I know it can be scary to choose who you can be open with, but remember that “Trust is not built in big, sweeping moments. Its built in tiny moments every day.” If you already have someone with whom you can feel that closeness, be grateful for it. And if you haven’t found that person yet, I hope you find them soon. We all deserve to feel that. (Thank you to Alejandro- http://hum4nb0rn.com/ for helping me make this video. Thank you for being my husband, my best friend, my source of inspiration, my everything. Thank you for showing me how real connection feels like! Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ale_fragoso/ Website – https://alefragoso.com/ Music Dismantle - Peter Sandberg ------------

The Darkness That Lurks: A film about anxiety I’ve been struggling with anxiety lately. Or, I think, until recently, I realized that I have suffered from anxiety my whole life, but I never knew what it was. I have been using my fine art photography as a tool to learn more about it lately, and, when I discovered these mini grants, I decided to make a video this time. I had an anxiety attack immediately after I made the decision, so I knew it had to be a video about anxiety. This is how it usually feels for me – when I manage to control it. I know I am not the only one, and I hope this video helps others to remember: You are not alone. There is someone else out there who gets it. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help. With all my love, Ale -------------------- Audio and Music by http://hum4nb0rn.com/

I spent many years in physical pain, I had always hoped it would go away, but I was recently told that pain will be a constant for the rest of my life. I am grateful I have a life I can enjoy; I am also afraid to live in pain. It makes me feel angry and tired. I am afraid of becoming a bitter person. Pain can do that. I know in my heart I need to keep creating happy moments whenever I can if I want to avoid that. And being in silence, in nature, is one of the only things that make me feel hopeful and happy, even when I am in pain. Making videos and art gives me that too. It not only makes me happy… I think it keeps me sane. That is how I battle those inner demons. I went to this amazing place, and just when I was feeling the happiest, someone accidentally hit me in the head, and I had a concussion. I was in so much pain, that after leaving the hospital I just wanted to cry and go back home. We ended up spending the night there because it was safer. I couldn’t stop thinking how it can always get worse. I had already received bad news, and then I get hit in the head in a moment when I was feeling so much happiness without thinking about pain or anything else… just the lake, my loved ones and me. I cried all night. The next day, I couldn’t stop feeling defeated, like I sometimes do when I am in pain. But then, a part of me screamed ‘You will not be defeated, not today!! You can’t go back home feeling this way.’ I was hit on my right temple, so the right side of my face was swollen. I could barely talk. My head felt like pounding and exploding the whole time, so I knew it wouldn’t be possible to film what I planned. But I thought ‘I’m just going to try and film something, anything; I just know I can’t go back home feeling this way.’ Thankfully, I was with these 2 amazing angels that offered to carry my equipment and help me with whatever I needed to make this video. So, this video is about remembering that I can be resilient too! Being resilient is about remembering the things that make you happy and hoping you will feel that way again. In this case, for me, it was more about not wanting to feel defeated. I was so afraid that a part of me would feel defeated forever, that I drew strength from that fear. And to remember resilience is about remembering that you don’t have to do it alone, and being humble enough to ask for help when you need it; when we ask for help, we allow others to do the same, and that helps to nurture more empathy in the world, hopefully leading to more connection… Love, Ale Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ale_fragoso/ Music - Imaginary Answer - Hanna Lindgren Motions - Edgar Hopp Sounds - Swedish Winter Snow Landscape - SFX Producer ES_Autumn Field In England - SFX Producer

I am always nervous when I'm filming alone in nature. I am so afraid of cougars and bears. But at the same time, I never feel more in peace. Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ale_fragoso/ Website – https://alefragoso.com/ Music Angels - Yonder Dale

I filmed this video last year. It was my first time filming myself and by myself. Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ale_fragoso/ Website – https://alefragoso.com/ Music The Dawning - Anna Dager