Prime Video’s groundbreaking series “Every Minute Counts” brings 1985 Mexico City earthquake to life
A look behind the scenes
Prime Video’s latest high-budget series, Every Minute Counts (Cada Minuto Cuenta), debuted at the prestigious Iberseries & Platino Industria event in Madrid. This project marks the streaming giant’s most expensive production in Latin America to date. The series is directed by Jorge Michel Grau and produced by Amazon Studios in association with Leo Zimbron’s Traziende Films.
An unprecedented use of technology in Latin American productions
One of the most remarkable aspects of Every Minute Counts is its innovative use of technology. The series employs Unreal Engine, a cutting-edge virtual screen technology first popularized by Disney’s The Mandalorian. This represents a groundbreaking moment for Latin American television, as such advanced techniques have not previously been used at this scale in the region. Showrunner Jorge Michel Grau explains that while the technology has been utilized in smaller productions within Latin America, Every Minute Counts takes it to a new level.
Recreating 1985 Mexico City in stunning detail
The series portrays the catastrophic earthquake that struck Mexico City on September 19, 1985, shifting its focus to the human stories that emerged from the disaster. Pre-production for the series took six months, followed by another half-year of shooting. Grau explains that the production team utilized a massive 200-square-meter screen to re-create the 1985 streets and buildings of Mexico City with extraordinary attention to detail.
“We obtained the original blueprints for each building and the surrounding areas,” Grau shared. “These were turned into models at a 1:24 scale with almost 85% fidelity in textures and finishes. We scanned the models centimeter by centimeter to generate them in 3D. Using the Unreal Engine software, all these buildings were given a 100% final look based on original blueprints and photographs taken after the earthquake.”
A focus on human resilience
Starring Osvaldo Benavides, Maya Zapata, Jesús Zavala, and Antonio de la Vega, Every Minute Counts narrates the gripping hours following the earthquake, highlighting the resilience and solidarity of the Mexican people during one of the nation’s most tragic events. The earthquake measured 8.1 on the Richter scale and leveled large parts of the city in just 10 seconds. However, the series’ central theme is not the catastrophe itself but the transformation of the individuals affected by it.
“The story,” Grau explained, “is not about the earthquake; it’s about the people who changed because of it. We aimed to tell the stories of characters who became better due to the experience.”
Technical excellence and historical fidelity
The production team’s commitment to historical accuracy and technical excellence is evident in every frame. Grau highlights the meticulous process of recreating 1985 Mexico City down to the smallest details: “What you’ll see in the series isn’t just the buildings but also the hanging sheets, the smoky windows, and the parked cars—all meticulously replicated.”
Adding to the series’ depth, Grau notes, “We also examine how the government attempted to cover up the extent of the tragedy since Mexico was set to host the World Cup the following year—a pivotal moment that they did not want to jeopardize.”
Anticipated global release
Prime Video is set to release all ten episodes of Every Minute Counts worldwide on November 8. The series joins a lineup of standout Latin American titles such as Pimpinero, ¿Quién lo mató?, and a sequel to Betty la Fea titled Betty la Fea: The Story Continues, underscoring the platform’s investment in diverse, high-quality content.
Final thoughts
Every Minute Counts is not just a series; it is a monumental achievement in storytelling and technical innovation. Produced by Amazon Studios and Traziende Films, and executive produced by Mónica Vargas, Juan Manuel Borbolla, and Leo Zimbrón, the series promises to be an unforgettable viewing experience that challenges the boundaries of traditional TV production. Directed by Grau, Moisés Urquidi, and Fernando Urdapilleta, with screenplays by a talented team of writers including Alfredo Félix-Díaz, Victoria Orvañanos, Natalia Quevedo, Alejandro Valenzuela, Venancio Villalobos, and Grau himself, Every Minute Counts is set to captivate audiences worldwide.
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