Colby Vasquez '25

Tender, Love, & Care

An amusingly whole hearted first date between a picky eater and a foodie.

Tender Love & Care is a comedic script exploring the awkward yet charming dynamics of a first date between Colby, a picky eater, and Linda, a daring foodie. Can Colby act as a foodie, or will she be herself in hopes to win Linda's heart?

Q&A

Fellowship Cohort: Fall 2024

Why did you choose this project? 
I chose to do this project to test my skills as a director and more importantly to make a short film based on Linda and I’s relationship. Not only is it a my final production at UCSD but a memorable gift for me to and family to look back on many years from now. This production has tested my skills, leadership, and exit my comfort zone.

How was this fellowship meaningful or impactful to you? 
This fellowship was extremely meaningful for me as I got to use state of the art equipment, have vast resources that made this project possible, and for me to ensure we got the perfect location for filming and that cast and crew were fed during those long days of filming. Without this fellowship my thesis would have been shot on an iPhone, in a dorm, with only a crew of 3. I got to film at my dream location and have the best of the best for crew and equipment.

Have you showcased this work in any other ways or places? Do you have any future plans related to this work? 
I have only shown the film to my thesis advisor, cast/crew, friends, and family. It is still undetermined if it would be shown anywhere else.

Colby Vasquez is a proud Triton Alumni, class of 2025. He is a Theater major with a small concentration in Business at the University of California, San Diego, and a Regents Scholarship recipient. Drawing on his experiences as an actor, playwright, and director, Colby’s work delves into themes of vulnerability, humor, and human connection. His senior thesis, and swan song, Tender Love & Care, is a heartfelt comedy inspired by personal experiences and his relationship with his partner. The project centers on Colby, a picky eater navigating the challenges of a first date with a daring foodie, blending wit, relatability, and introspection. This production showcases Colby’s commitment to authentic storytelling and collaborative artistry. Support from the Suraj Israni Center for Cinematic Arts has enabled Colby to expand his theatrical vision into a short film format, utilizing UC San Diego’s cinematic resources to create an engaging and visually dynamic work. He is eager to share this project with the broader artistic community as part of the fellowship forum.