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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.