María Jiménez Henley pioneering Latina actress, choreographer and stage manager. She began her career when she played  the role of “Teresita” in the motion picture WEST SIDE STORY. Latinopia learned that  after María was accepted into the cast of the film, something happened which nearly ended her career before it began. We hear this story in her own words.

Rey Villalobos is the acclaimed Director of Photography of such motion pictures as “Urban Cowboy,” “Nine to Five,” “A Bronx Tale,” and “American Me.” He has also directed numerous episodic television dramas.In 1993, when César Chávez passed away, Villalobos joined Latino directors Greg Nava, Edward James Olmos, Jesús Treviño, Luis Valdez and producer Moctesuma Esparza in a very special assignment, the filming of the César Chávez funeral. He recalls the day.

John Valadez is an accomplished documentary filmmaker who directed and produced the award-winning PBS documentary “The Chicano Wave” and the highly acclaimed documentary “The Longoria Affair.”  Latinopia was surprised to learn that John got his inspiration for becoming a filmmaker and storyteller from a visit to a village bonfire in India.

Pepe Serna is an accomplished actor with more than 100 films to his credits and numerous television appearances. One of his most memorable roles was that of “Angel” in the motion picture “Scarface.” In that film Pepe acted opposite screen legend Al Pacino. Latinopia asked Pepe how he came to get the role and what it was like working with Pacino.

Richard Yñiguez is a veteran television and motion picture actor who has starred in Boulevard Nights, Raíces de Sangre, The Deadly Tower and River of Promises as well as numerous television series. Latinopia asked Richard how the role in the motion picture Bouleveard Nights came about and discovered that Richard tried to steer the film away from it gang theme.

Ritchie Valens (Richard Valenzuela) was the first Latino rock star in music history. He died at age 17 in a tragic plane crash in 1959 along with two other rock legends, the Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson) and Buddy Holly. The story of  Ritchie’s brief career is told in the motion picture La Bamba, written and directed by Luis Valdez. What few know is that it was Luis’s brother, actor/musician Daniel Valdez, who spent many years pursuing the Ritchie Valens story and finally securing the right to tell the story from Ritchie’s family. Here Daniel recounts how the making of  La Bamba came about.

Henry Darrow is a pioneering Puerto Rican actor who won acclaim when he starred as “Manolito” in the western television series “High Chaparral,” (1967-1971). Latinopia caught up with him at the Gene Autry museum in Los Angeles at a book-signing for his biography, “Henry Darrow- Lightning in the Bottle,” co-authored with Jan Pippins.

Evelina Fernández is a versatile actress and playwright whose acting roles include such motion pictures as Zootsuit, L.A.Confidential, and American Me. Frustrated over the lack of true depictions of Latinas in television and cinema, Evelina decided to write and produce her own motion picture titled Luminarias. Latinopia asked Evelina how this came about.

What is it like to act opposite a screen legend? Richard Yñiguez, star of the classic movie Boulevard Nights and of numerous television shows, learned early in his career when he landed a role acting opposite movie icon Anthony Quinn in the television series “The Man and the City” which was broadcast in 1971-72. Richard shares his novice experiences with Latinopia.

How does  an actor audition for a role? This is a question that every actor must ask before they walk into a casting room often facing not just the casting director, but the writer of the film or TV show, the director and often the producer as well. Latinopia asked veteran Latino actor Pepe Serna, with more than 100 films to his credit, how he approaches the addition process, how he deals with rejection,  and what advice he would give to fellow actors

Rose Portillo is a gifted actress who starred as Della in the acclaimed play Zoot Suit as well as many roles in television and movies. Her first major role was in the movie “The Exorcist II: The Heretic,” playing opposite Richard Burton. Latinopia discovered that Rose’s first movie shoot was full of surprises.

Latinopia Cinema Ruth Livier from Latinopia.com on Vimeo.

Ruth Livier was the star of the Showtime drama series Resurrection Blvd.  Now she has now created her own webisode drama series about a struggling Latina in Hollywood titled Ylse.Com.  Latinopia interviewed Ruth about the series and her career.

Danny De La Paz is an accomplished actor of stage and screen whose motion picture credits include Boulevard Nights and American Me. Known for his portrayal of cholos or gang members, Latinopia was surprised to find that Danny had to “learn” how to portray a cholo.

Danny De la Paz is a celebrated actor of stage and screen. With a career that spans decades, he is perhaps best remembered for his riveting portrayals of”Chuco” in the movie “Boulevard Nights” and “Puppet” in the movie “American Me.” Latinopia asked Danny the difference in these two iconic roles and how he came to be cast as “Puppet.” To find out more about Danny De La Paz visit his website: www.krazyvatosemporium.com

Latinopia Cinema – Villalobos Urban Cowboy from Latinopia.com on Vimeo.

Rey Villalobos is a director of photography for such motion pictures as Urban Cowboy, Nine to Five, A Bronx Tale and American Me. He explains how he got the job of Director of Photography for Urban Cowboy without an agent.

Roberto Olivares is a member of the “Ojo de Agua” (Eye of Water) film collective based in Oaxaca, Mexico. The group produces documentaries about the indigenous communities of Mexico while also empowering these communities with instruction on video production so that they can tell their own stories. Latinopia asked Roberto to tell us about “Ojo de Agua.”

Hector Galan is an award winning documentary filmmaker who has produced documentaries for the NOVA and American Experience series on PBS. He was the Supervising Producer of the acclaimed PBS documentary series, CHICANO! History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement. Latinopia asked Hector to tell us about how he approaches making documentary films, a vision that has won him numerous awards and recognitions.

Dennis Leoni is the creator and Executive Producer of the ground breaking drama series Resurrection  Blvd. Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona where his early experiences working in motion picture was as a stunt actor at the Old Tucson Studios.  Prior to Resurrectiom Blvd Leoni worked as a writer on such television series as The Commish and McKenna.  Latinopia asked Dennis how the Resurrection Blvd drama series came about.

Alas Media is a multi-media film and video production company based in San Fernando, California. The members of Alas Media represent a new generation of Latino filmmakers whose focus on producing documentaries, promotional videos, websites and educational workshops also includes representing Latino community artists and groups as well.

Victor Millan, who passed away on April 3, 2009, was a pioneering Mexican American actor who graduated from UCLA Theater Arts in 1945.  His early film credits include The Ring (1952), a recurring role in the Ramar of the Jungle television series (1952-53) as well as important roles in Walk the Proud Land (1956), Touch of Evil (1958), and The FBI Story (1959). His memorable portrayal of the ranch foreman in Giant (1956) allowed him to work opposite Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and Sal Mineo. In later years he acted in such films as The Man of Bronze (1975) and Scarface (1993).  Millan has also worked as director on the Ahora! PBS series on KCET. He taught Theater Arts at Santa Monica College where he served as Dean for many years. Here Millan recounts how he was cast in the classic noir mystery Touch of Evil and what it was like working opposite actor/director Orson Wells.

Joel Juarez is an independent Latino filmmaker who resides in Los Angele. He speaks about the making of and success of his first dramatic short, Pelea de Gallos (The Cockfight). TO PURCHASE A COPY OF PELEA DE GALLOS OR FIND OUT MORE ABOUT JOEL JUAREZ VISIT: www.usumacintafilms.com