As I was preparing my schedule for Los Angeles recently, I asked the spiritual guru of Rays Podcast Jim “Dali” Lujan who should we interview during our one free afternoon. In the midst of La La Land, what Ray of Light could we talk to that could shine some life changing wisdom on us while giving Latinos all over the country a some insight into the life of Latinos in Hollywood?

As always, Jim came through. He recommended we meet up with Flavio Morales, a longtime Hollywood Producer who is also a real dude from East LA. At first, I thought securing an interview with Flavio would be a longshot. This is the man that developed the “I Love Jenni” series that touched so many of us and made her untimely death even more of a touchstone for U.S. Latinos. Sure he’s pretty busy. Indeed, Flavio is swamped, but he was gracious enough to squeeze us into his schedule for an interview we recorded recently in his Burbank office.

Even before we began interview, Flavio and his colleague Vicky already provided an incredible life lesson: you are never too ‘busy’ to serve others. ‘Being up there’ is no excuse for closing the door behind you to the next person looking for opportunity, guidance and a mentor.

Our time with Flavio was a Masters’ Lecture on how a Latino imagecan thrive in Hollywood while not leaving their identity ‘at the door.’ Flavio’s message is chock full of great advice on how to thrive in Entertainment or any career path.

Listen to full podcast as Flavio Morales of Big Vida Entertainment shares what we all can learn from each step in his path.

Highlights of conversation with Flavio Morales included:

–How Flavio began his Televsion career without even knowing what “internship” meant.

–How Flavio became one of the seminal ILLEGAL INTERNS?

–What we can all learn from Flavio’s “schizophrenic” resume and his father’s philosophy about working “because there is work to be done?”

–The importance of NEVER SAYING “don’t’ do it” to your loved ones as they pursue their dreams.

–Why the quote “You’ve Got to Chase It” is so central to Flavio’s personal philosophy.

–How Flavio balances being a Latino Content Producer while not becoming marginalized.

–When Flavio broke a fax machine to get his big break on LA Radio.

–How to prepare for success to maintain collaborative spirit throughout your journey.

–Why your honest reputation helps lead to that “crack of opportunity.”

–Flavio provides his state of Latinos in Hollywood. How is emerging Latino focused media changing the game? Is this biggest TV year for Latinos ever? –How does Devious Maids impact the ongoing debate amongst Latino media images?

–Who is the most powerful Latino in Hollywood that Hispanics don’t even know?

–Which Superstar does Flavio believe epitomizes how young Latinos can create their own unique voice.

–What TV Show Idea did Ray Collazo pitch to Flavio right on the spot?

Also, Flavio updates us from his latest home at Big Vida Entertainment. Listen to how Flavio and his primo Steve Alfaro have developed a cutting edge Latino Production Company that is developing programs with NCLR and El Rey Network.

I want to thank Flavio Morales of Big Vida Entertainment for his generous time to record this exhilarating edition of Rays Podcast: Latino Talk That Will Change Your Life. And definitely want to shoutout Jim Lujan for co-hosting the episode and setting up the interview with Flavio and Vicky. Keep shining Big Vida and the Dali Lujan!

Listen to Ray's Podcast interview with Flavio here! 

BY Andrew S. Vargas

It seems the Mayans were a couple of years off with their apocalyptic predictions. According to recent statements by MTV Latin America, the world will actually end this September. For those who want to watch it go down in flames, there will be weekly installments aired on MTV Tr3s under the title Acapulco Shore.

Sound vaguely familiar? Does the name bring back hazy, post-traumatic flashbacks of Snooki poufs, tribal tattoos, and painstakingly sculpted blow-outs? Well, that’s because this is the Latin American remake of Jersey Shore.

Yes, they went there.

According to María Iregui, brand manager of MTV Latin America, the show has taken on the solemn task of exporting timeless American values of “drama, friendship, and partying” to a Latin American audience apparently wanting in shameless, tacky, trash TV. Furthermore they have promised arguments, love triangles, and plenty of scandalous moments to keep us entertained and intellectually stimulated.

What is even more astounding is the revelation that Jersey Shore has actually already been remade three times as Geordie Shore (U.K.), Warsaw Shore (Poland) and Gandía Shore(Spain). It seems that the U.S.A. isn’t happy just exporting democracy; we also had to make an exceedingly profitable global industry out of bad taste.

While details are still scarce, we do know that Acapulco Shore will feature ugly tattoos, muscles, bulging packages, belly-button rings, and skimpy bikinis. And we wouldn’t be surprised if el Alebrije makes an appearance.

To start getting us pumped up for the end of times, the network has released this scintillating teaser that features nothing more than sculpted, rotating torsos and a couple of butts thrown in for good measure. If you have a porn firewall at work, you have to wait till you get home to check this one out.

Check this out on Remezcla.

12 exceptional women artists will be invited to work on their projects at a private 100-acre farm in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont during prime New England Foliage Viewing Season. ARC Residencies offer an inspired setting for work and reflection during the day, with evening gatherings over healthy prepared meals, followed by presentations from fellow artists, plus an artist’s empowerment workshop during your stay. You will have a room (single or double) in one of three charming country houses shared with other ARC artists in a Vermont estate overlooking organic hay fields, forests, a private pond, and nearby Jay Peak Mountain. Outings to some of the nearby attractions including the Wine Route of the Brome Missiquoi region just across the Canadian border, a visit to artisanal food producers and other local attractions.

RESIDENCY COST: There is no residency fee for Artist Center Residencies. There is a fee of $350.00 for healthy and delicious meals prepared at the farm. You are responsible for your travel to the Burlington, VT airport, where a van will take ARC residents to the farm 1 ½ hours away for $150.00 round trip.

RESIDENCY FELLOWSHIPS AVAIL: The ARC fellowship provides up to $700.00 travel and food stipend to offset the cost of transport and meals for the ARC residency. A limited number of fellowships are available.

TRAVEL DETAILS: Residents will be responsible for booking travel to and from Burlington, VT airport to arrive by Saturday Sept. 13 before 4 pm and return Monday Sept. 21 after 1 pm. A shared ride will be available to take you to and from the farm 1 ½ hours from the airport for an additional $150.00 round trip. The ARC is located near the town of North Troy, VT in a private estate, 3 ½-hour drive North of Boston, or an 8-hour drive from NYC. Address will be given only to confirmed ARC fellows. Bring passport to enter Canada for group field trip! 

WORK DETAILS: Each artist is expected to work independently on their project and will be asked to present to the group on their work in the evening after dinner at least once. Projects most suited to this residency include writing or laptop-based editing projects (you are expected to bring your own technology). Each artist is assigned a quiet private space for work, and is not to be disturbed during the day, although all are welcome to gather in common areas or enjoy walks in the private woods or to the nearby waterfall, and to swim in the pond on the grounds. A few group outings will be organized for those wishing to explore the area.

APPLICATIONS DUE –  August 11, 2014

NOTIFICATION- Applicants will be notified of admission status on August 14.

Artist Residency Center Application for Residencies and Fellowship: The application is intended to be as simple as possible. You can be in any phase of your project to apply. There are no word limits or character counts, but please try to keep your answers to a few paragraphs at most.

Send to: [email protected] with the subject line: ARTIST RESIDENCY CENTER application.

Application: Please put in one document:

1. Contact info – name, mailing address, email, cell phone, home phone.

2. Synopsis/Idea/subject.

3. Style/aesthetic and approach.

4. Intended final product and distribution plans.

5. What part of the project would you intend to do/work on while at the retreat?

6. What is the current status of your project?

7. Your bio: A couple of paragraphs will be good, plus links to your website or other social media if available. 

8. Work Samples: a writer’s sample can be in pdf or word, a video sample should be on Vimeo or through a YouTube link.

9. Please do not apply if you are not sure you would be able to join us for the full time.

Acceptance emails go out Aug. 14, we need to hear confirmation by Aug. 16, so we can offer the residency to another worthy artist if you cannot make it.

by Maria Angelica Molina via REMEZCLA 

Only a native can provide a rich portrait of the habits, local fare, and eclectic characters that can make Southern California, despite its expanse, feel like a quaint little town. Filmmaker Alberto Barboza is just that kind of guide and his debut film, Cry Now, provides an insider’s tour of the highways and dives where Chicanos retread old country in post-punk attire. Barboza hails from South Gate, a mostly working class Latino neighborhood nestled between Watts & Downey. Cry Now, a film recently featured by New Filmmakers Los Angeles, centers on Vincent and Luzy, two star-crossed lovers whose attraction for one another is bridled by their respective significant others.

Vincent’s search for Luzy, a chola Madonna practically lifted off the pages of Love and Rockets, is the vehicle by which we experience LA’s unique music scene; Very Be Careful, Doghouse Lords and a lusciously understated Irene Diaz treat the audience to live performances. We caught up with Barboza to discuss East L.A. as muse; filming inside the legendary Self-Help Graphics, where the Chicano punk scene was born; and what it was like to work with such distinguished talents as Lupe Ontiveros, an award-winning actress and great supporter of independent cinema, who unfortunately passed away before the film’s completion.

Where in Southern California did you grow up? What was it like?

I grew up in South Gate, which was mostly first generation, Mexican-American families working to own their homes. The 80s were sunny: the Dodgers were champs and the Olympics were cool. The 90s were darker and moodier: Seattle grunge, British rock, gangster rap, and banda were popular at the Record Store. The 2000s were rough and tough as the city of South Gate was riddled with corruption. My family still owns their home in South Gate. We shot the scenes with Lupe Ontiveros in that house.

What is the one movie you remember watching that made you decide you wanted to be a filmmaker? What was it about it?

Los Olvidados, by Luis Buñuel. It’s about poverty as experienced by children. It was inscribed on UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” Register in 2003 in recognition of its historical significance. It’s a masterful film both in content and aesthetics. The nickname ofCry Now’s protagonist is Ojitos, which is a reference to a central character in Los Olvidados.

What was the genesis for Cry Now? Is it autobiographical?

Originally the film was titled On The Run. It was a film our company, Cinético Producitons, thought we could make quickly and for a low cost. I wrote it with that in mind, but then you put together a reasonable budget and realize you have to raise money. It’s not autobiographical, but it’s set in a world I know very well. Most of the collaborators on the film were written into the first draft. All of them agreed to go on this ride with us.

There are some incredibly fierce female characters in your film. Who did you base them on?

My friends. In the film the two female leads run their own business. So do my friends. I consulted with fellow filmmakers and friends on the female characters and made adjustments given their feedback or advice.

What are some lessons you gathered from working with such talented veteran actors like Sal Lopez and Lupe Ontiveros?

Lupe was a godsend. She was irreverent to the politics of the industry and proudly portrayed her characters. Lupe will be with me for the rest of my life. She believed in us. It’s my second time working with Sal and I look forward to the next ten. He’s hands down, one the best actors on film and stage. Working with actors like them elevated the entire production.

How did you choose the music for the film? Did you know the artists? What about some of the tracks themselves?

Very Be Careful, Hermanos Herrera, The Delirians, T’aarach and the Phony Bastards, Irene Diaz, Doghouse Lords, Quetzal Guerrero, CC Valentine, Profesor Galactico, Clemente Ruiz, are all inspiring artists on our soundtrack. I am fortunate to know them as friends. It started with “Ojitos” by Very Be Careful. I wanted our protagonists to meet under the spell of such a proclamation of love as “Ojitos”. The next big find was “Voodoo Lucy” by the Doghouse Lords. It helped close the first act of the film. Both bands perform live in the film.

What are some great, lesser-known East L.A./BoHo locations that we should look out for in the film? Do any of them have special meaning for you?

Self Help Graphics is one of our greater known locations on the Eastside, and we had an opportunity to film at their old venue. We open our film there. The folks at M Bar, Corazon Del Pueblo, Eastside Luv, Casa 0101, Liliflor Art Studio, and shops on 1st Street, are really cool and were very supportive.

What do you think Latino/Chicano films and stories have to offer American and international audiences?

Our dignified point of view from the working class. Our imagination and our aesthetics. Our ideas of a future society.

 

NALIP member, Director/Writer/Producer Walter Dominguez and Executive Producer Shelley Morrison (Chasing Light Pictures, LLC) have announced that their award-winning feature length documentary "Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery" is set to have its world premiere gala on Friday, August 15, at 7:00 p.m. at the Laemmle Playhouse 7 theater complex in Pasadena, California's historic Playhouse District. "This film is about family, history, heroes, justice and finding meaning in life," said Dominguez. "It's been an emotional and deep process for me that took many years to complete. This film focuses on courageous Mexican immigrants one hundred years ago, but whatever your ethnic background or political stance on immigration, the film reaches your core. Everyone has someone in the family history that has overcome great adversity and acted selflessly and heroically to benefit and help others. This documentary honors that dignity, nobility and courage in our ancestors."

Shelley, who co-starred as "Rosario" on the groundbreaking television comedy series, Will & Grace, said, "This remarkable documentary is garnering acclaim in preview screenings and from critics, and has won awards in international film competitions. We are excited about this film's potential to reach a broad audience." 

‘Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery’ is set to have its world premiere gala on Friday, August 15, at 7:00 p.m. at the Laemmle Playhouse. 

Notable Los Angeles and Pasadena dignitaries, social justice activists and church leaders are among those attending opening night. Pasadena Mayor, Bill Bogaard, will introduce the film. A Mexican fiesta-themed reception will follow at El Portal Mexican Restaurant.

The film’s exclusive engagement runs from Friday, August 15, to Thursday, Aug 21, 2014. Daily screenings during the run are 1, 4, 7 and 10pm.