A long time ago, Angel Cassani found inspiration in a faraway place. As a child, he watched his grandfather play movie screenings on Montevideo beaches. That was back in the 1970s, and growing up, Cassani knew he wanted to work in cinema. After spending his youth working at Wall Street around the ’90s, he decided to push forward with his ambition to develop entertainment media pieces.
Along the way, Cassani also found his love for Southern California, which he would eventually call home. Later in life, he became a financial guru and filmmaker, and Beverly Hills has been a place of inspiration.
A Filmmaker’s Investment in the Talent of Puerto Rico
After many trips to different places in the Caribbean for various productions over the last couple of years, Cassani found something special in the vibrant landscape of Puerto Rico. In 2022, he became enthralled by the island’s natural beauty and many filming locations. From a business point of view, Cassani was captivated by the island’s rich cinematic potential.
His journey into the island’s film industry was supported by the Puerto Rico Film Commission, which extended many benefits to high-end productions seeking refuge on the island. With its diverse landscapes, streamlined production processes, and skilled talent pool, Puerto Rico was an ideal place for Cassani to grow as a filmmaker, all within the familiar confines of the United States. Angel says he is working toward “Making Puerto Rico a main hub for media production.”
Cassani notes, “From our company, Desment Studios, there’s great interest in developing structures and teams to train our professionals further and give back to the community all the comfort and love they send us!”
The Producer’s Surprising Collaboration
Cassani’s encounter with fellow producer Joel Ivan Rivera, a Puerto Rican filmmaker, further solidified the island’s status as a burgeoning hub for mainstream productions. Rivera, a prominent figure in New York’s film scene, extolled the island’s virtues as a premier filming location.
“Joel is a well-known producer on the island,” says Cassani.
Despite residing in Manhattan, Rivera’s steadfast commitment to Puerto Rico as a primary filming destination underscored the island’s allure. His endorsement of the island’s top-notch professionals, many of whom were born and raised locally, highlighted the depth of talent available for productions of any scale. As Cassani and Rivera set their sights on resuming back-to-back productions following the resolution of industry-wide strikes, the pair became collaborators—Cassani based in Los Angeles, Rivera based in New York, both filming Puerto Rico. They developed an ideal fusion of mainland expertise with Puerto Rican talent.
Cassani assures, “Puerto Rico always makes me feel welcome.”
Still a California Creator at Heart
As beautiful as Puerto Rico can be, Cassani’s cinematic work still has its nexus in the illustrious neighborhood of Beverly Hills. Drawing inspiration from the palm trees, rolling hills, and an unparalleled sense of security, Cassani made it his home base for producing cinema. The ambiance and environment of the city provide Cassani with the ideal backdrop to nurture his creativity and foster artistic expression.
