Are American Latino Film makers getting a fair chance in Hollywood?

// February 16th, 2010 // Where's the Beef

Franc Reyes Director/Writer

Director Franc Reyes in the ADR room

Alumbra Films presents: A night with Director Franc Reyes. On December 8th, 2009 The creative coalition along with Eva Langoria invited 50 leaders in the entertainment industry to speak with writer/director/producer Franc Reyes about the crisis of American Latinos in Hollywood. Among the guest were Richard Dreyfus, Tim Daly, Dana Delaney and Ruben Santiago-Hudson. This is the First of 4 clips.

CLIP No. 2

CLIP No.3

CLIP No. 4

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13 Responses to “Are American Latino Film makers getting a fair chance in Hollywood?”

  1. Emilio says:
    March 30, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    Srs; Latino Film.

    La razon de mi contacto con ustedes es para tratar de comunicarme con un director de cine que le interese mi historia, es real muy espiritual y de importante informacion para toda la humanidad, si hay alguna persona entre ustedes que haga posble este encuentro desde ya le estoy profundamente agradecido.
    La historia la tengo escrita lista para la pantalla grande, si les es posible y me pueden contactar con alguien que tenga verdadero interes en lo divino desde ya les agradesco infinitamente; Pueden conectarse conmigo a los correos que les mando.

    Y por favor si les es posible denme un numero de telefono para llamarlos.

    ATT EMILIO

  2. Emilio says:
    March 30, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    Se que hablan y escriben en español, asi que prefiero escrivirles en mi propio idioma, espero que no les moleste.

    Srs de latino film, la razon de mi contacto con ustedes es por que me gustaria que me ayuden a conectarme con un director de cine que sea latino y le interese escuchar mi historia, la tengo escrita lista para la pantalla grande,

    Si estan interezados en ayudarme contatctesen conmigo por los correos que les he provehido, y si es posible denme un numero de telefono para llamarlos, desde ya les agradesco infinitamente su favor.

    ATT EMILIO

  3. ashok says:
    October 27, 2010 at 6:43 am

    i want to work with you

  4. rana says:
    August 28, 2010 at 1:01 am

    i want contect u

  5. Richard Troche says:
    July 16, 2010 at 9:55 am

    I loved the way Franc was able to let loose and embrace his characters in the movie Empire, I choose Empire because the way Franc organized every scene specifically, especially in the intro were we see the protagonist Vic talking about himself, then Intro to each one of his friends.

    And the dialogue between the characters was amazing done well. Till this day I watch the movie Empire as inspiration for me not to give up on my writing and also as there is light at the end of the tunnel for all Latinos in American based movies.

    Empire shows me that Franc was like I said before able to embrace his story, which is not east to do. I hope to see that even more in his future projects and I hope to be able to the same, “Embrace” what you do, and let the work speak for itself, let go and embrace is Francs “hidden message” to all of us, that is what I learned when I watched Franc talk at conferences and in his movies, Embrace….

  6. Marc says:
    July 5, 2010 at 8:53 am

    It’s a stupid article and it makes ‘Latinos’ sound dummer than the article itself. Incredible writing. Really? Next time write it in crayon so we know not to waste our time.

  7. MALLIKARJUN says:
    June 20, 2010 at 2:13 am

    Hi, i am mallik
    i have been completed my film direction course and been waiting for a chance to get in to film industry.

  8. Lilian Roland says:
    May 30, 2010 at 2:39 pm

    latinofilmchatter.com’s done it once again. Incredible writing.

  9. Israel Marrero says:
    February 19, 2010 at 12:18 pm

    Casper, i am sorry. i didn’t get a chance to respond. I am a fan of Franc’s and have supported, whether it be with my time, money or support. We just need to band together period. Forget about everything else. And just come out with quality content, and band together more with time, and resources.
    God Bless,
    Israel

  10. Israel Marrero says:
    February 19, 2010 at 12:15 pm

    How are you Casper? As for me I am sorry if I didn’t respond in a timely manner. But as far as I’m concerned I have made comments about the whole latinos in the industry situation. I happen to be a fan of Franc’s work, and feels he’s an outstanding writer, producer, and director. I am a fan of yours, Luis Guzman, and Luis Antonio Ramos, and countless other latino actors. The problem as well with us. Is that we have a huge presence but, we do not band together enough. It could be like you said jealousy, or what ever other reason. But if we don’t stop that amongst ourselves. I feel… we’ll never progress. I firmly believe the meek shall inherit the earth. I am a fan of anything latino. One of my favorite writers is my friend Ivan Sanchez. As far as poets are concerned La Bruja. But at times even amongst our own people. At times our intentions can be very misconstrued. We need to help one another period. This is why we’re getting our asses kicked by everyone else in the game especially by the Anglo community, and the African American community.

    God Bless,
    Israel

  11. Lopez says:
    February 18, 2010 at 9:05 pm

    I loved this series of clips. There were so many good points especially about representing a sector of film making that has such little representation prior.
    The presence of more American Latino films would not only be such a great contribution to the film industry- but I truly do believe it would open the eyes of some people to the American Latino culture who would have otherwise been ignorant.
    Just like Spike Lee opened the eyes of so many to black films and culture.

  12. Felix says:
    February 18, 2010 at 2:44 pm

    Good information, I believe frank hits it home when he talks about how we are going to have to do the production, marketing and distibution ourselves. I’m not waiting on a check from a studio to make my projects. Real filmmakers push forward regardless

  13. Vicky says:
    February 18, 2010 at 10:26 am

    I was going to leave this comment on FB but if I’m going to talk the talk, I gotta walk the walk! Try to get these conversations on your site instead of FB: http://www.backtype.com/plugins/connect.

    Anyways, my response to your comments from FB re: these videos:

    I’m confused. Did you post the videos of Franc to elicit a conversation on Facebook or to promote the videos?

    Maybe no one commented b/c there’s nothing new being said. I saw the videos you posted. Or rather I saw the first 5 minutes before I stopped it. I get it. I know what the problems are. Hearing people talk just doesn’t do it for me. But I’m the wrong target for these videos and maybe b/c you’re contacts are industry, they just didn’t want to continue beating a dead horse.

    Facebook is great for passive support. Clicking “like” doesn’t take much effort to feel like an activist. You’re right about one thing: the weight of the community should fall on one person’s shoulder. I don’t think I should have to watch a film just b/c a Latino is in it or b/c a Latino made it. (I know it’s not the popular answer) I watch b/c I want to and not b/c I have to. With that said, I don’t expect other Latinos to do anything just b/c they’re Latino. It’s easy to blame Latinos for issues that only a handful find important and sorry to be the voice of reality, US Latinos are not in the majority within the US and probably not even within the “Latino/Hispanic” community. (Need stats for that one)

    We seem fragmented b/c we are. Should we be? That’s another story. But in life we pick and choose our battles. You can be a filmmaker or you can be an activist. Sure some try to be both but without having leverage in one area, you can’t effective succeed in both.

    We use the word Latino almost to our detriment and that’s probably why we struggle as much as we do. Instead of trying to get the collective Latinos to support a film, why not try to get the whole world to support the film. Funny that Ivan mentions “followers” (I was going to say just that) because following really is our human nature. Everyone’s not born to lead and for the most part people are followers. That’s a people thing, not just Latinos. Lead by example – you can’t do more than that.

    Groups on FB are for people who want to feel apart of something without the responsibility of doing something in the real world. And I’m starting to see the illusion of leadership is valued more than real leadership. A movement is not a movement if it’s not going anywhere.

    “Let’s be Latinos” is not a marketing tool. It’s a courtesy and it’s flawed thinking. After seeing the Ministers the marketing feel short not b/c Latinos didn’t go see it but b/c the responsibility to carry the film fell on a demographic that doesn’t feel the need to be part of a collective voice. A great film will connect with a global audience. Instead of focusing on getting Latinos to support, focus on getting great projects out there (Latino-centric or not).

    Stop looking at Tyler Perry b/c the African American community and the Latino community, despite commonalities, are rather different. We have different issues and b/c of that, what would work for them may not be as successful for us.

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