1 00:00:05,320 --> 00:00:08,400 Speaker 1: Welcome to More Anita, a deep dive into the Latin 2 00:00:08,640 --> 00:00:11,920 Speaker 1: X experience. With Monita, we want to create a community 3 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:15,640 Speaker 1: and a shared space with you while sharing knowledge and inspiration. 4 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:19,120 Speaker 1: This show is about celebrating our culture with guests who 5 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:29,240 Speaker 1: exemplify the best of us. I'm Darrylene Gastillo. Vito, oh yeah, 6 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:33,479 Speaker 1: be hinted. Today we have a great conversation lined up 7 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 1: for you with Kenneth Gastillo, an independent filmmaker from l A. 8 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:43,680 Speaker 1: While speaking with Kenneth, I began thinking what movies mean 9 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:46,840 Speaker 1: to me and how they've always been a vital part 10 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:50,640 Speaker 1: of my life, and how you've affected me as an actor, 11 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:54,120 Speaker 1: as a performer, as a producer, and as a person. 12 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:58,840 Speaker 1: I've always loved movies because I've been obsessed with storytelling. 13 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:01,640 Speaker 1: Even as a little girl, I used to set up 14 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:04,760 Speaker 1: my own productions with kids in the neighborhood. When my 15 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:08,200 Speaker 1: cousins would come over, you better believe we were putting 16 00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:12,800 Speaker 1: together a show, whether it was dancing or singing, or 17 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:16,720 Speaker 1: even speaking poetry. I'm sorry to everyone who had to 18 00:01:16,880 --> 00:01:21,880 Speaker 1: endure me during those days. However, those moments they led 19 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:25,360 Speaker 1: me to being the actor and performer and producer that 20 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:29,120 Speaker 1: I am today. One part that has always fascinated me 21 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:32,920 Speaker 1: the most is how movies are made. It takes a 22 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:38,639 Speaker 1: village to create a spectacular story a spectacular film. Now, 23 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:41,960 Speaker 1: on top of the many endeavors I have, I've also 24 00:01:42,080 --> 00:01:45,240 Speaker 1: been a producer for many of my own shows and 25 00:01:45,319 --> 00:01:48,320 Speaker 1: for all of my music videos. The one thing that 26 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:52,960 Speaker 1: was consistent within all of my personal experiences is having 27 00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:57,760 Speaker 1: the right squad. Creating a strong team in any position 28 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:00,640 Speaker 1: or any job that you have is the only way 29 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:05,120 Speaker 1: to be successful. Nothing can succeed without it. If someone 30 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:08,239 Speaker 1: is bringing down the crew, it can affect the work 31 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 1: that you put out, and you don't want that. I'll 32 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:14,079 Speaker 1: never forget my first time on a professional set, Law 33 00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:17,320 Speaker 1: and Order Organized Crime. I had the honor of being 34 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:20,680 Speaker 1: on season two episode to feel free to check out 35 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:24,280 Speaker 1: that episode and see your favorite Moranita first off. Law 36 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:27,079 Speaker 1: and Order is a staple show for actors, and as 37 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:29,960 Speaker 1: a New Yorker, it was a dream come true to 38 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:32,880 Speaker 1: find out I was going to be making my TV 39 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:37,200 Speaker 1: debut on this iconic show. I was thrilled to be 40 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 1: able to check that off my bucket list, and it 41 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:42,840 Speaker 1: was a memorable day when I arrived to set I 42 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:45,920 Speaker 1: was like a kid on a playground, but I was 43 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:49,800 Speaker 1: more impressed by the squad. To see all the puzzle 44 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:54,280 Speaker 1: pieces that are necessary to film a story absolutely blew 45 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 1: my mind. There were so many people there for this 46 00:02:57,480 --> 00:03:03,639 Speaker 1: small four minute scene that I was in extras, writers, assistants, wardrobe, 47 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 1: camera crew, and so many more. To give you some perspective, 48 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:12,560 Speaker 1: that four minutes scene took ten hours to film. That 49 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:17,560 Speaker 1: experience gave me a huge appreciation and respect for TV 50 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:21,800 Speaker 1: and filmmakers. That's what brings us to our next guests 51 00:03:21,840 --> 00:03:24,880 Speaker 1: and why I'm so excited to have Kenneth share with 52 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:29,320 Speaker 1: us his path to making films. We dive deep into 53 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:32,720 Speaker 1: what it takes to truly make a film, and how 54 00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 1: the industry today is shaped and working or not working 55 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:40,320 Speaker 1: for us Latinos, and how he works differently than any 56 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:44,720 Speaker 1: other director to connect with his audience. Not only does 57 00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:47,720 Speaker 1: Kenneth have a passion and a power in connecting with 58 00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 1: his audiences, he also connects with his crew, his actors, 59 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:57,280 Speaker 1: his storytellers. Because without connecting with the crew, how can 60 00:03:57,320 --> 00:04:00,600 Speaker 1: you connect with your audience. Kenneth has a lot in 61 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:03,560 Speaker 1: store for you here, So grab your popcorn and get 62 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:07,000 Speaker 1: ready to soak it all in staying Vito on this 63 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:12,720 Speaker 1: deep movie dive with Kenneth. Hello, Kenneth Castillo, what's popping? 64 00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 1: Welcome to mor Anita. Finally, thank you so much. I 65 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:20,320 Speaker 1: appreciate you having me. But yeah, that was a few 66 00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:22,560 Speaker 1: weeks went by really fast. But I'm very excited to 67 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:24,240 Speaker 1: be here, and thank you so much for inviting me. 68 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 1: I love your style. Oh, thank you. I'm so excited 69 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 1: to have you on here. Um. And I've been, you know, 70 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 1: looking at your work and and checking you out and 71 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 1: and your direct your director, and you're in the film industry, 72 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 1: and um, I think the most interesting thing is how 73 00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:45,880 Speaker 1: did you get involved? How how did this dream become 74 00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:50,360 Speaker 1: a manifestation for you? That's a great question. It's always 75 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:52,800 Speaker 1: been very hard for me to answer. I'll try to 76 00:04:52,800 --> 00:04:54,960 Speaker 1: give you the cliff notes version of the short version 77 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:57,119 Speaker 1: of it. But I initially started out as an actor. 78 00:04:57,160 --> 00:04:59,640 Speaker 1: I went to an acting academy, and so I'm a 79 00:04:59,640 --> 00:05:02,320 Speaker 1: class trained actor. I'm not very good, but I'm a 80 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:06,880 Speaker 1: classically trained actor. Um. And so, but it wasn't a 81 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 1: total loss. I met my wife there so and we're 82 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:11,680 Speaker 1: still together. So it was a while ago. But when 83 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 1: I graduated. Um, I started seeing that there wasn't a 84 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:17,919 Speaker 1: lot of work for Latinos, you know, in Hollywood, and 85 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:21,960 Speaker 1: having grown up here my whole life and not seeing opportunities. Uh, 86 00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 1: there was a little there was an eye opener, um. 87 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:27,800 Speaker 1: But the good thing is I just started, me and 88 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 1: my wife at the time, she was an actress too. 89 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:31,960 Speaker 1: We just started producing our own our own one acts, 90 00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:34,240 Speaker 1: and producing our own plays and doing our own thing. 91 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 1: When we graduated, Um, we started producing our own stuff. 92 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:40,040 Speaker 1: And I was just kind of looking at the independent 93 00:05:40,120 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 1: film world was starting to come up and digital was 94 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:44,880 Speaker 1: starting to take off as well. So I didn't want 95 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:47,640 Speaker 1: to go to film school, you know, for three years. 96 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:50,599 Speaker 1: So I invested in a camera, and I did a 97 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:53,239 Speaker 1: lot of research first, but I invested in a digital camera, 98 00:05:53,279 --> 00:05:55,640 Speaker 1: which at the time it was the Cannon Xcel one. 99 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 1: I don't know if you've seen this camera, but it's 100 00:05:57,720 --> 00:05:59,920 Speaker 1: very odd looking. It's really cool looking. It's red and 101 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:03,000 Speaker 1: black and white, and it's got an interchangeable lenses. And 102 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:04,760 Speaker 1: I did all this homework just on my own. This 103 00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 1: is actually even before the internet. So um. And then 104 00:06:08,520 --> 00:06:11,360 Speaker 1: over a period of two years after we got married, UM, 105 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:15,400 Speaker 1: we produced our first film. UM and that's how I 106 00:06:15,520 --> 00:06:19,159 Speaker 1: kind of learned, and you know, it went nowhere did nothing, 107 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:23,159 Speaker 1: but that was my films exactly, and that was that 108 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:25,479 Speaker 1: was my film school. I learned how to produce, I 109 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:28,120 Speaker 1: learned how to put people together. I was already writing 110 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:32,280 Speaker 1: at the time. I learned how to cast, um, secure locations, 111 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 1: you know, all these other things that um and and 112 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:40,360 Speaker 1: my acting background allowed me to communicate with actors, so 113 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 1: I already spoke their language and that was a huge 114 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:46,440 Speaker 1: advantage for me as a director. UM in any situation 115 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 1: that I'm in, I know, I consider myself an actor's director, 116 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:52,160 Speaker 1: and that's what we love its actors here. Yeah, I 117 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:55,840 Speaker 1: was really surprised by when, especially as I started working, 118 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:57,240 Speaker 1: a lot of actors would tell me, you know, this 119 00:06:57,279 --> 00:06:59,479 Speaker 1: isn't how it's done, this is not how I'm so 120 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:02,040 Speaker 1: refreshed by your process because this is not normally how 121 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:04,360 Speaker 1: it's done. I don't know how it's normally done because 122 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:07,120 Speaker 1: I developed my own process. I'm just gonna go a 123 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:09,640 Speaker 1: little further back. So for you, like when even for 124 00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:12,880 Speaker 1: even to become an actor and to get involved in 125 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:16,200 Speaker 1: the arts, have you always had a a desire and 126 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:18,360 Speaker 1: a love for that is that something that like, ever 127 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:21,120 Speaker 1: since you were little, you were just like I love movies, 128 00:07:21,240 --> 00:07:25,080 Speaker 1: I love this director, I love this film absolutely. It 129 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:27,600 Speaker 1: was It's My upbringing was very strange because I had 130 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:29,840 Speaker 1: I was going to a public where I grew up 131 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:32,640 Speaker 1: in a place where I had more than the kids 132 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:34,600 Speaker 1: I grew up with, but I had less than the 133 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:36,280 Speaker 1: kids I went to school with because I went to 134 00:07:36,320 --> 00:07:38,840 Speaker 1: a private school, so I never fit in. I was 135 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:41,480 Speaker 1: always in the middle. I never fit in with any group. 136 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 1: So what I sort of developed for myself was if 137 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:46,120 Speaker 1: you don't fit in anywhere, you can fit in anywhere. 138 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: So that's how I started to look at it. But um, 139 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:52,760 Speaker 1: I was like, I remember putting on a show like 140 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 1: when I was eight years old. I don't I was 141 00:07:54,440 --> 00:07:55,960 Speaker 1: so bored over the summer. I just put on a 142 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:58,000 Speaker 1: show like that neighborhood kids like you know, like I 143 00:07:58,040 --> 00:07:59,560 Speaker 1: don't know if you're doing with the little rascals. But 144 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:01,640 Speaker 1: it was very much. It was very much like that. 145 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:04,760 Speaker 1: And and so I was very creative. But then when 146 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:08,880 Speaker 1: I had transferred schools, Um, yeah, I became very introverted 147 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:12,120 Speaker 1: and I didn't really do any art for a very 148 00:08:12,160 --> 00:08:16,200 Speaker 1: long time. I was just very angry and self conscious 149 00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:19,320 Speaker 1: individual in high school. And so when I went to 150 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:22,800 Speaker 1: the Acting Academy, it was just me like not liking 151 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:24,480 Speaker 1: where I was in my life, even though it's only 152 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:27,360 Speaker 1: like seventeen or eighteen, but I was just very unhappy. 153 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:30,280 Speaker 1: Um And so going to the Acting Academy really like 154 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:32,640 Speaker 1: opened me up as an artist and kind of brought 155 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:34,520 Speaker 1: me back to being an artist that I was when 156 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:37,360 Speaker 1: I was eight years old. So it was a huge 157 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:40,600 Speaker 1: gap between the time I was produced my first show 158 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 1: at eight to the time that I started at least 159 00:08:43,480 --> 00:08:45,360 Speaker 1: at the very least being in place and started to 160 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:47,079 Speaker 1: write and started be confident in my art. You know, 161 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:49,000 Speaker 1: I've done seven films. There's a lot of battles, a 162 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:52,080 Speaker 1: lot of war wounds. Let's talk about the battles and 163 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:57,200 Speaker 1: the war wounds. That's what we're here for. Well, you 164 00:08:57,200 --> 00:09:00,120 Speaker 1: were you were mentioning how you being a Latin, know 165 00:09:00,280 --> 00:09:02,640 Speaker 1: in the industry, being an actor, you were seeing a 166 00:09:02,640 --> 00:09:05,040 Speaker 1: lot of things. What were some of the challenges and 167 00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 1: things that you were seeing during that part of your 168 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:09,679 Speaker 1: life as an actor, especially from my wife, that just 169 00:09:09,880 --> 00:09:13,160 Speaker 1: wasn't very many roles and the roles that were available, 170 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:15,400 Speaker 1: you know, they just weren't written very well. You know, 171 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:19,280 Speaker 1: it's really hard to to audition for a casting director 172 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 1: who might be directing, Like someone might be looking for 173 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:25,760 Speaker 1: a character from East l A right, and they've never 174 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:28,160 Speaker 1: been there. They don't know what it's like. So it's like, 175 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:30,560 Speaker 1: how am I supposed to be honest and truthful when 176 00:09:30,559 --> 00:09:32,839 Speaker 1: you don't even know what that looks like? You know? 177 00:09:33,240 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 1: But the audition process for me, I still this day 178 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:38,959 Speaker 1: you don't understand why it's done the way it's done, 179 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 1: which is why I created my own audition process, my 180 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:44,640 Speaker 1: own casting process, and of my seven films, I've never 181 00:09:44,720 --> 00:10:00,320 Speaker 1: used a casting director ever. I'm curious, how how do 182 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:03,160 Speaker 1: you find your actors and what is that process for 183 00:10:03,240 --> 00:10:06,480 Speaker 1: you for your projects? Well, it starts with the breakdown, 184 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:08,920 Speaker 1: of course, I'm very specific, and sometimes what I've learned 185 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:12,520 Speaker 1: is sometimes that doesn't um it doesn't matter. Actors will 186 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:15,000 Speaker 1: send for stuff they're not right for it in case. 187 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:17,560 Speaker 1: But um So, after I've gone through that and I 188 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:19,719 Speaker 1: bring people in, I try to really sort out the 189 00:10:19,840 --> 00:10:22,440 Speaker 1: really good auditioners from the really good actors because they're 190 00:10:22,440 --> 00:10:24,400 Speaker 1: not one and the same, you know what I mean. 191 00:10:24,480 --> 00:10:28,559 Speaker 1: There are actors, Yeah, there are actors that are really 192 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:31,240 Speaker 1: great audition at auditioning, and that's their craft. They are 193 00:10:31,280 --> 00:10:33,800 Speaker 1: there are great auditioners and getting the job, and then 194 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:35,839 Speaker 1: you get them on set and they're doing the exact 195 00:10:35,920 --> 00:10:37,960 Speaker 1: same thing they did in the audition. Yeah, and they're 196 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:41,840 Speaker 1: not playing, They're not doing anything different, they're not making choices. 197 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:44,839 Speaker 1: So what I do is if I get someone who's 198 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:47,320 Speaker 1: nervous but I really want and they blow their audition, 199 00:10:47,400 --> 00:10:50,080 Speaker 1: I'll give them a callback. You know. And even some 200 00:10:50,120 --> 00:10:51,600 Speaker 1: of the actors i've worked as I thought I blew 201 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:53,880 Speaker 1: it in the audition, I go, well, a normal casting director, 202 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:56,360 Speaker 1: you probably blew it. But for me, if I see 203 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:59,440 Speaker 1: something anything, and particularly if I see a theater background, 204 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:02,800 Speaker 1: I kind of let that go. I'll let the first 205 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:04,600 Speaker 1: audition go. I don't expect someone to come in and 206 00:11:04,640 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 1: be brilliant right off the bat. That has happened a 207 00:11:06,920 --> 00:11:09,720 Speaker 1: couple of times in casting, but for the most part, no, 208 00:11:09,920 --> 00:11:12,040 Speaker 1: I think a lot of times, Uh, the really good 209 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:14,200 Speaker 1: actors they need more time, they need you know, so 210 00:11:14,240 --> 00:11:16,120 Speaker 1: I try to get them comfortable in the room. I 211 00:11:16,160 --> 00:11:19,360 Speaker 1: will take that time because I respect the craft of acting. 212 00:11:19,679 --> 00:11:23,000 Speaker 1: I don't think it's a factory you know what I'm saying, 213 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:26,320 Speaker 1: so um, so I will do that. Once I have 214 00:11:26,640 --> 00:11:29,640 Speaker 1: three or four really solid people for the role, I 215 00:11:29,679 --> 00:11:31,840 Speaker 1: bring them back to the callback. And my callbacks are 216 00:11:31,880 --> 00:11:35,360 Speaker 1: like casting workshop, I mean, or like an acting workshop. 217 00:11:35,800 --> 00:11:37,760 Speaker 1: So I will I will tell people I said, give 218 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:40,160 Speaker 1: yourself three hours for this callback. You know, give yourself 219 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:43,360 Speaker 1: that time, and then I get the flow, partner up 220 00:11:43,640 --> 00:11:47,120 Speaker 1: different actors with different roles and and see where I 221 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:50,840 Speaker 1: can get a genuine relationship. If I'm casting a mom 222 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:54,360 Speaker 1: and a son or uh, two brothers, you know, I'll 223 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:56,600 Speaker 1: mix a match until I see what I what I'm 224 00:11:56,600 --> 00:11:59,240 Speaker 1: looking for. A lot of beautiful stuff can can come 225 00:11:59,280 --> 00:12:01,839 Speaker 1: out from that. I mean absolutely you can. You can 226 00:12:01,880 --> 00:12:05,360 Speaker 1: get a whole scene written from that, so definitely, And 227 00:12:05,360 --> 00:12:07,280 Speaker 1: that has happened as well. You know where I went 228 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:09,480 Speaker 1: back and an actor blew me away and I was like, Okay, 229 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:12,680 Speaker 1: I gotta rewrite this. I'm gonna tailor it more to them. 230 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:14,920 Speaker 1: So my I'm a little bit different, I think in 231 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:18,080 Speaker 1: terms of how I approach at least independent filmmaking. My 232 00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:21,960 Speaker 1: focus has been television and now podcast directing, so it's 233 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:25,920 Speaker 1: a little different, um than independent filmmaking. Yeah, tell me 234 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 1: more about that. What's up with the television and podcast directing? Well, 235 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:34,400 Speaker 1: with television, it's very it's very difficult to break in, 236 00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:39,080 Speaker 1: you know. It's uh. The thing right now is that 237 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:42,640 Speaker 1: even with all the talk of diversity, you know, I 238 00:12:42,679 --> 00:12:45,560 Speaker 1: don't really see much of that changing. I know a 239 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:47,280 Speaker 1: lot of film I'm not I'm not unique in the 240 00:12:47,320 --> 00:12:49,880 Speaker 1: sense that I'm a filmmaker who has done a lot 241 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:52,840 Speaker 1: of work and gotten it distributed. Um, I'm not unique 242 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:55,040 Speaker 1: in that aspect um. And I'm not unique in the 243 00:12:55,080 --> 00:12:57,560 Speaker 1: sense that there's a lot of us that are on 244 00:12:57,600 --> 00:13:01,760 Speaker 1: the sidelines and we're hearing about diversity and inclusion, and 245 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:04,840 Speaker 1: we can't get anyone even give us a general meeting, 246 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:08,160 Speaker 1: you know, for a television for a television job, you know. 247 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:12,000 Speaker 1: So with podcast filmmaking and story I mean the podcast storytelling, 248 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 1: like it's just this incredible, Like I feel like it's 249 00:13:16,040 --> 00:13:18,960 Speaker 1: a secret almost like this from I just I'm very 250 00:13:18,960 --> 00:13:20,719 Speaker 1: new to it, you know, but it's a secret that 251 00:13:20,760 --> 00:13:23,480 Speaker 1: a lot of people don't know about, especially in narrative episodics, 252 00:13:23,480 --> 00:13:26,640 Speaker 1: where people can get their stuff done and seen and 253 00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:29,520 Speaker 1: build an audience because the audience is power. That that 254 00:13:29,679 --> 00:13:32,480 Speaker 1: is it, you know, more than anything. The audience has power. 255 00:13:32,520 --> 00:13:35,559 Speaker 1: And if you can establish an audience with your your 256 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:38,920 Speaker 1: story and a podcast, then um, then you have some 257 00:13:38,920 --> 00:13:41,280 Speaker 1: some some power. What do you think it's going to 258 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:44,720 Speaker 1: take for the work that we are doing to be 259 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:48,000 Speaker 1: seen and highlighted in the way that it's deserved. What 260 00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:50,760 Speaker 1: are your feelings about that? Well, I'll say this, there's 261 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:53,480 Speaker 1: definitely been changes in terms of acting opportunities. I mean, 262 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:57,000 Speaker 1: you have an entire shows um on television that will 263 00:13:57,040 --> 00:13:59,400 Speaker 1: have Latino cast. So I think you know, I have 264 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:01,240 Speaker 1: a different spective because I'm going to pry back a 265 00:14:01,280 --> 00:14:03,600 Speaker 1: lot further than than you than you are in terms 266 00:14:03,640 --> 00:14:06,679 Speaker 1: of when your career started. So I've seen the growth 267 00:14:06,760 --> 00:14:09,040 Speaker 1: in terms of being in front of the camera. There's 268 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:10,480 Speaker 1: still a lot, there's still a long way to go, 269 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:13,800 Speaker 1: but behind the camera is where to me, the real 270 00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:17,400 Speaker 1: change needs to happen, UM to keep those strides in 271 00:14:17,440 --> 00:14:20,200 Speaker 1: front of the camera going, because if you get people 272 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,160 Speaker 1: in positions of power that are black and brown people 273 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:24,840 Speaker 1: in positions of power and they're casting and they're hiring 274 00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:29,440 Speaker 1: their own, then it's gonna be It's then now you're 275 00:14:29,440 --> 00:14:32,160 Speaker 1: talking about true inclusion. And I always use a VID 276 00:14:32,360 --> 00:14:35,560 Speaker 1: Vorne as an example someone who's absolutely doing it right. 277 00:14:35,600 --> 00:14:39,360 Speaker 1: I mean, she made a decision when she was doing 278 00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:42,120 Speaker 1: her show, Queen's Queen Sugar, that she was only going 279 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:45,600 Speaker 1: to hire women of color directors, and it didn't matter 280 00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:47,720 Speaker 1: if they were repped, it didn't matter if they were 281 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:50,680 Speaker 1: in the unions. She's that was her decision, and as 282 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:53,640 Speaker 1: a result, a lot of women of color directors are 283 00:14:53,680 --> 00:14:56,480 Speaker 1: now working there now in the union. And that's how 284 00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:58,720 Speaker 1: it gets done. It's you know, she's someone who's who's 285 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:01,320 Speaker 1: always said, enough with the plot atitudes, enough with the workshops, 286 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 1: enough with the panels, hire people. And that's really what 287 00:15:04,800 --> 00:15:06,160 Speaker 1: I say. And I get in trouble a lot from 288 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:08,920 Speaker 1: my own because you know that it's easy for people 289 00:15:08,920 --> 00:15:10,960 Speaker 1: to go on a panel that are on a TV show. 290 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:13,400 Speaker 1: A showrunner, let's say, goes on a panel and talks 291 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:15,640 Speaker 1: about inclusion and diversity. And then I raised my hand 292 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 1: and they say, yes, uh can what's your question? I said, Well, 293 00:15:19,320 --> 00:15:21,680 Speaker 1: you're talking about inclusion and diversity, but when I look 294 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:25,400 Speaker 1: at your show, you don't have any Latino directors. When 295 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:28,280 Speaker 1: I throw that fact at them, they really don't like 296 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:31,520 Speaker 1: it because their attitude is like I'm at this panel 297 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:33,920 Speaker 1: and I'm I'm talking about it, but I'm like that's 298 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:35,920 Speaker 1: not enough. I'm like, we have a lot of people 299 00:15:35,960 --> 00:15:39,720 Speaker 1: talking about it, and it's not anybody's obligation to open 300 00:15:39,760 --> 00:15:41,520 Speaker 1: the door for the send the elevator down for the 301 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:44,040 Speaker 1: next person. I'm not. But you have a lot of 302 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:45,920 Speaker 1: people that have been doing the work outside of the 303 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:49,479 Speaker 1: Hollywood system and have the resume and just need the opportunity, 304 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:52,560 Speaker 1: you know. Um. And so that's how we're gonna change 305 00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:54,880 Speaker 1: is when we finally when. But here's the thing. A 306 00:15:54,920 --> 00:15:58,000 Speaker 1: lot of Latinos that are in the business either don't 307 00:15:58,040 --> 00:16:01,760 Speaker 1: feel empowered by their superiors to hire their own or 308 00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:06,120 Speaker 1: they just don't want to, you know. So, Um, I've 309 00:16:06,160 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 1: always said that success in this businesses doing the work 310 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:11,920 Speaker 1: and then finding that person that wants to take you 311 00:16:11,960 --> 00:16:13,520 Speaker 1: to that next level or help you to get to 312 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:15,800 Speaker 1: that next level. And you don't really have a say 313 00:16:15,840 --> 00:16:20,320 Speaker 1: on who that person is. Yep, yep, yep. It's the 314 00:16:20,320 --> 00:16:22,960 Speaker 1: people behind the table. It's something that we always talk about. 315 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:26,480 Speaker 1: We need to see more of us behind the table 316 00:16:26,920 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 1: making some of the big power decisions. Um. So, you 317 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:31,760 Speaker 1: have a production company and I want to learn a 318 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:34,400 Speaker 1: little bit more about that. Can you tell me about 319 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 1: your production company and that journey building that Sian Fugos 320 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:42,760 Speaker 1: Productions came out about six years ago. I had just 321 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:47,880 Speaker 1: wrapped my sixth feature film, and I was I had 322 00:16:47,920 --> 00:16:50,800 Speaker 1: developed a company. I was, I was building something, and 323 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:53,680 Speaker 1: then it started to It started with with an acting company, 324 00:16:53,720 --> 00:16:57,360 Speaker 1: with with um, with an editor with you know, I 325 00:16:57,440 --> 00:16:59,760 Speaker 1: was trying to build a team, and it just started 326 00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:03,720 Speaker 1: to rot from the inside out. So I decided to 327 00:17:04,280 --> 00:17:07,080 Speaker 1: walk away from all of that and start from scratch 328 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:10,560 Speaker 1: because what essentially say when you say rot from the 329 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:13,200 Speaker 1: inside out, you just mean it was just getting toxic 330 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:16,840 Speaker 1: or the energy and the vibes were just shifting. Yeah, 331 00:17:17,080 --> 00:17:20,600 Speaker 1: the my, my, my. The people that were financing my 332 00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:23,119 Speaker 1: films did not see the bigger picture, and so what 333 00:17:23,200 --> 00:17:26,320 Speaker 1: they started to do was actors that I had worked 334 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:30,560 Speaker 1: with and brought in. I had learned my process, and 335 00:17:30,600 --> 00:17:33,120 Speaker 1: so they were giving them opportunities so they would work 336 00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:37,040 Speaker 1: a lot cheaper. So I was. I was asking for 337 00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:39,120 Speaker 1: bigger budgets and saying, hey, we can expand we can 338 00:17:39,160 --> 00:17:41,520 Speaker 1: do this better, we can do and I was looking 339 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:44,280 Speaker 1: to grow and they were like looking to go back 340 00:17:44,359 --> 00:17:46,520 Speaker 1: and do things cheaper and easier, and I was like, 341 00:17:46,560 --> 00:17:48,520 Speaker 1: I'm not going to do that. Like I've I've done 342 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:52,000 Speaker 1: films like that with you already, They've been successful. Why 343 00:17:52,040 --> 00:17:55,879 Speaker 1: can't we grow bigger? So um so, a couple of 344 00:17:55,920 --> 00:17:58,920 Speaker 1: actors that knew my process very intimately, and we're people 345 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:01,520 Speaker 1: that I loved and respected, it decided that they were 346 00:18:01,520 --> 00:18:05,080 Speaker 1: going to do their version of what I do, and 347 00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:07,560 Speaker 1: so I just, you know, and and a lot of 348 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:09,760 Speaker 1: my team went with them because they just wanted to 349 00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 1: quick to make a quick butt. So I just said, 350 00:18:12,080 --> 00:18:17,000 Speaker 1: you know what, I got to start over joy Yeah exactly, 351 00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:19,440 Speaker 1: So I was, you know, I I just said, okay, 352 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:23,520 Speaker 1: so I'll do that, and I produced my first film. 353 00:18:23,560 --> 00:18:25,639 Speaker 1: It was weird because it went back to like the 354 00:18:25,680 --> 00:18:27,720 Speaker 1: film I told you that I that I learned on 355 00:18:27,920 --> 00:18:30,520 Speaker 1: that went nowhere. I was kind of going back to 356 00:18:30,560 --> 00:18:33,320 Speaker 1: that process because I self financed it. UM. I did 357 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:36,080 Speaker 1: crowdfund a little bit to help me finish it, which 358 00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:38,479 Speaker 1: was great that that people came through for me on 359 00:18:38,520 --> 00:18:42,080 Speaker 1: that UM and then UM but that film I finished, 360 00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:44,639 Speaker 1: and I still haven't distributed yet because I'm trying to. 361 00:18:44,680 --> 00:18:47,880 Speaker 1: I'm still waiting for the right distributor and I've done. Look, 362 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:50,280 Speaker 1: I have six films out there. So my attitude was, 363 00:18:50,400 --> 00:18:52,320 Speaker 1: I'm in no hurry to get this out there. I'm 364 00:18:52,320 --> 00:18:54,160 Speaker 1: not going to put it out there for free, right. 365 00:18:54,560 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 1: And then I produced some documentaries, so many docks and 366 00:18:58,480 --> 00:19:01,200 Speaker 1: more episodes of a short film series called The Misadventures 367 00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:04,359 Speaker 1: of Cholo Chaplain. Uh. So I've been doing, you know, 368 00:19:04,480 --> 00:19:08,000 Speaker 1: those kinds of of projects underneath this banner, something that 369 00:19:08,040 --> 00:19:10,000 Speaker 1: I'm interested in. I know that you have an interest 370 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:13,080 Speaker 1: in the silent film world, and that's something that I know. 371 00:19:13,240 --> 00:19:16,639 Speaker 1: Look at that smile when I brought that up. I 372 00:19:16,720 --> 00:19:18,399 Speaker 1: just I want to know a lot of love for that. 373 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:22,320 Speaker 1: I want to know about Like how what about that 374 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:25,480 Speaker 1: like just makes you smile and like just brings you joy. 375 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:27,639 Speaker 1: It's funny you brought that up because me and my 376 00:19:27,640 --> 00:19:30,640 Speaker 1: wife did. There's a documentary on Showtime about Charlie Chaplin 377 00:19:30,840 --> 00:19:33,800 Speaker 1: and we I literally watched it last night, and you know, 378 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:35,960 Speaker 1: and my wife said the exact same thing you did 379 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:38,000 Speaker 1: as I'm watching it. I'm just it's just a little 380 00:19:38,040 --> 00:19:42,320 Speaker 1: moments that he can create. He's able to create these little, 381 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:46,480 Speaker 1: tiny moments that can give you a big emotional response 382 00:19:46,520 --> 00:19:50,760 Speaker 1: as an audience. Member, and you don't have dialogue. It's 383 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:56,160 Speaker 1: just so pure in its storytelling. So when I after 384 00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:59,119 Speaker 1: my my feature film went out and I've applied to 385 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:02,159 Speaker 1: a bunch of film festival and it went nowhere, I 386 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:04,880 Speaker 1: went backwards again and I had this old super eight 387 00:20:04,920 --> 00:20:08,679 Speaker 1: camera and I had I had gone to Cuba and 388 00:20:09,040 --> 00:20:11,800 Speaker 1: they were watching Charlie Chaplin. I was. Actually that's how 389 00:20:11,840 --> 00:20:14,399 Speaker 1: I came up with San Fuegos Productions. Was I was 390 00:20:14,440 --> 00:20:16,680 Speaker 1: in the town of sian Fuegos, which was named after 391 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:20,560 Speaker 1: the revolutionary Camilo Fuegos A hundred fires. That's a badass 392 00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:24,240 Speaker 1: name if that's your name, A hundred fires. So they 393 00:20:24,280 --> 00:20:26,320 Speaker 1: had this old art deco feeder there and they were 394 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:29,280 Speaker 1: playing Charlie Chaplin films. So I went into the theater 395 00:20:29,320 --> 00:20:32,040 Speaker 1: and it was packed, you know, it's all these Cubans 396 00:20:32,080 --> 00:20:34,600 Speaker 1: there and me, and we're watching the kid and on 397 00:20:34,720 --> 00:20:37,520 Speaker 1: this old I mean this this was probably an original 398 00:20:37,560 --> 00:20:40,600 Speaker 1: print from the thirties that they were watching, and but 399 00:20:40,680 --> 00:20:43,280 Speaker 1: it was still it was still in good shape. But 400 00:20:43,320 --> 00:20:45,880 Speaker 1: it ended and I got up to leave, and they 401 00:20:45,920 --> 00:20:48,760 Speaker 1: all just stayed there, and then they played the loop 402 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:51,720 Speaker 1: again and then played the movie again and so they 403 00:20:51,720 --> 00:20:55,040 Speaker 1: were just gonna watch it a million times so and 404 00:20:55,080 --> 00:20:57,439 Speaker 1: I was like, there's no language barrier, and it's Charlie 405 00:20:57,520 --> 00:20:59,920 Speaker 1: Chaplin's you know. So when I got back, I came 406 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:02,119 Speaker 1: up with the character of Cholo Choppedlin, which was like 407 00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:04,520 Speaker 1: an urban take on the Tramp and I said that 408 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:06,040 Speaker 1: all in the world of the Day of the Dead, 409 00:21:06,160 --> 00:21:09,240 Speaker 1: so all the characters have skull face. And then I 410 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 1: did little vignettes of it. I put them all together 411 00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:15,480 Speaker 1: in a DVD and I distributed it myself. And that's 412 00:21:15,480 --> 00:21:18,240 Speaker 1: actually how I got my funding from my first feature film. 413 00:21:18,280 --> 00:21:21,760 Speaker 1: I went to all the film festivals that rejected Cholo Choplin, 414 00:21:22,119 --> 00:21:24,320 Speaker 1: and I passed out my DVD. These are local film 415 00:21:24,320 --> 00:21:26,560 Speaker 1: festivals in Los Angeles, but some of them are pretty big. 416 00:21:27,359 --> 00:21:29,920 Speaker 1: And just passed out my DVD and a distributor came 417 00:21:29,920 --> 00:21:32,960 Speaker 1: across it and he said are you Are you in 418 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:35,119 Speaker 1: the festival? I said no, they rejected me. He's like, 419 00:21:35,160 --> 00:21:37,359 Speaker 1: this is great. Like He's like, I'd like to distribute this, 420 00:21:37,400 --> 00:21:39,000 Speaker 1: and I go, well, it's only a half hour. It's 421 00:21:39,080 --> 00:21:41,960 Speaker 1: it's it's six five minute episodes. He's like, do you 422 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:44,040 Speaker 1: have any feature films in the urban genre. I said, 423 00:21:44,080 --> 00:21:48,080 Speaker 1: oh absolutely. I didn't at the time, but yeah absolutely. 424 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:50,040 Speaker 1: He's like, well, when can you get it to us? 425 00:21:50,080 --> 00:21:51,399 Speaker 1: And I said, I can get it to you in 426 00:21:51,440 --> 00:21:54,600 Speaker 1: April and this was like February and uh and then 427 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:59,000 Speaker 1: I had the right of scrift, so talk about hustle. 428 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:01,840 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, And they find out that was my first 429 00:22:01,880 --> 00:22:06,280 Speaker 1: like official film. They financed. It was a seventy dollar budget. Um. 430 00:22:06,440 --> 00:22:09,640 Speaker 1: They were going to do three films and the other 431 00:22:09,680 --> 00:22:12,719 Speaker 1: two films were supposed to happen before mine. And this 432 00:22:12,760 --> 00:22:15,560 Speaker 1: is talks about ego again, like those two filmmakers had 433 00:22:15,600 --> 00:22:19,280 Speaker 1: such egos, like they weren't accepting any any notes from 434 00:22:19,320 --> 00:22:23,000 Speaker 1: these producers, which I got someone paying for paying for 435 00:22:23,040 --> 00:22:26,400 Speaker 1: You're gonna take notes, right, And they just had attitudes. 436 00:22:26,480 --> 00:22:29,920 Speaker 1: So they pulled their financing from those two films. And 437 00:22:30,119 --> 00:22:33,840 Speaker 1: I had already started my second and third film, and 438 00:22:33,880 --> 00:22:35,960 Speaker 1: I told I putted them all together, and I said, look, 439 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:38,920 Speaker 1: this is a trilogy of urban films about me when 440 00:22:38,920 --> 00:22:41,120 Speaker 1: I grew up in Wilmington's and it's called the Drive 441 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:46,400 Speaker 1: By Chronicles and it's a salacious title, but it captured 442 00:22:46,440 --> 00:22:49,600 Speaker 1: their attention, and I gave them the log line for 443 00:22:49,640 --> 00:22:51,480 Speaker 1: the second and third one, and they said, yeah, okay, 444 00:22:51,560 --> 00:22:53,280 Speaker 1: let's let's do it. They liked it, and they and 445 00:22:53,400 --> 00:22:55,600 Speaker 1: we ended up they ended up financing all three of 446 00:22:55,640 --> 00:22:58,280 Speaker 1: my films. So over a period of eighteen months, I 447 00:22:58,320 --> 00:23:03,320 Speaker 1: made three feature films about impressive thanks, just like just 448 00:23:03,359 --> 00:23:09,320 Speaker 1: super casual, like yeah films eighteen months. What what about it? Um? 449 00:23:09,359 --> 00:23:11,600 Speaker 1: I mean, that's the hustle mentality in this industry and 450 00:23:11,600 --> 00:23:13,960 Speaker 1: you gotta you gotta keep pushing and keep moving. So 451 00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:15,920 Speaker 1: the times that were like really difficult for you, how 452 00:23:15,920 --> 00:23:18,560 Speaker 1: did you keep pushing it? What? What is your mentality? 453 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:22,680 Speaker 1: What is your system when this industry continues to challenge 454 00:23:22,680 --> 00:23:28,200 Speaker 1: you and the rejection and these these issues arise, how 455 00:23:28,520 --> 00:23:31,760 Speaker 1: do you rise above it? Essentially? What it comes down to, 456 00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:34,919 Speaker 1: it's just a pure love of storytelling. And I just 457 00:23:34,960 --> 00:23:38,239 Speaker 1: love the process so much that I'm willing and I like, 458 00:23:38,359 --> 00:23:40,359 Speaker 1: I guess I'm a bit of a massochist because I 459 00:23:40,440 --> 00:23:46,480 Speaker 1: like the pain that that is associated with going through it, 460 00:23:46,600 --> 00:23:49,440 Speaker 1: and um, and just it all is worth it. Sitting 461 00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:52,840 Speaker 1: in the back of a theater and the film starts 462 00:23:52,920 --> 00:23:54,880 Speaker 1: and these and you have an audience full of people 463 00:23:54,880 --> 00:23:58,240 Speaker 1: watching it. It's just the whole thing is worth it. 464 00:23:58,320 --> 00:24:17,399 Speaker 1: For that moment. Kenneth. Okay, we are getting to my 465 00:24:17,480 --> 00:24:20,359 Speaker 1: favorite favorite part of the show, and I have a 466 00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:23,720 Speaker 1: couple of questions for you. Okay, you're ready. Yeah, what's 467 00:24:23,760 --> 00:24:28,040 Speaker 1: your favorite place You've ever traveled? To? Cuba? Oh? My god, 468 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:32,119 Speaker 1: me too. When did you go to Cuba? I was 469 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:35,639 Speaker 1: there in two thousand three. It was right after the 470 00:24:35,760 --> 00:24:38,800 Speaker 1: Iraq War started and a lot of them thought that 471 00:24:38,880 --> 00:24:42,960 Speaker 1: we were going to invade Cuba to um, which was interesting. 472 00:24:43,080 --> 00:24:46,880 Speaker 1: So yeah, I just the people there, um, the history, 473 00:24:47,080 --> 00:24:52,800 Speaker 1: the architecture, the music, Um, it was very uh. I mean, 474 00:24:52,840 --> 00:24:55,359 Speaker 1: as you know, it's not what people expect. They are 475 00:24:55,480 --> 00:24:59,160 Speaker 1: closed off society, but the people are so um. They 476 00:24:59,160 --> 00:25:02,520 Speaker 1: have such dignity, they're in their poverty, and they also 477 00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:06,680 Speaker 1: have such um resilience. I just had so much respect 478 00:25:06,720 --> 00:25:08,760 Speaker 1: for them, and they were just so warm to me there, 479 00:25:08,840 --> 00:25:11,879 Speaker 1: and um, I'm hoping to take my family in the 480 00:25:11,920 --> 00:25:14,080 Speaker 1: next couple of years. We'll see the wait. I love 481 00:25:14,160 --> 00:25:18,080 Speaker 1: that you said this because I went in I was 482 00:25:18,160 --> 00:25:21,359 Speaker 1: like fourteen or fifteen, So now I'm going to show 483 00:25:21,400 --> 00:25:27,320 Speaker 1: my age. It was two thousand nine eight when like 484 00:25:27,359 --> 00:25:30,160 Speaker 1: we weren't really allowed to go. My mother, my mother 485 00:25:30,240 --> 00:25:33,119 Speaker 1: is a writer, and we have a cousin that fought 486 00:25:33,160 --> 00:25:36,800 Speaker 1: with Chegda and my mom was writing, well, she was 487 00:25:36,800 --> 00:25:39,600 Speaker 1: starting to write her second book about his life story, 488 00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:44,200 Speaker 1: and so she used that as an excuse for us 489 00:25:44,280 --> 00:25:48,720 Speaker 1: to like travel there. So you guys want then yes, 490 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:51,520 Speaker 1: uh yeah, I have to. I have to agree with 491 00:25:51,560 --> 00:25:53,960 Speaker 1: you though. There was something about it that was like, 492 00:25:54,240 --> 00:25:55,719 Speaker 1: there's something that I used to say. I was like, 493 00:25:55,960 --> 00:25:59,520 Speaker 1: it was so like it was like beautifully sad, like 494 00:25:59,640 --> 00:26:02,440 Speaker 1: to see you know what I mean. Yeah, it's just 495 00:26:02,600 --> 00:26:07,320 Speaker 1: they have everything there to be a how do I 496 00:26:07,359 --> 00:26:10,600 Speaker 1: say economically and I mean resource wise? I have everything 497 00:26:10,600 --> 00:26:14,080 Speaker 1: there to to be a thriving country, and you know, 498 00:26:14,160 --> 00:26:16,080 Speaker 1: it's just sad to see them struggle as much as 499 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:18,080 Speaker 1: they have to struggle. It's you know, it's not it's 500 00:26:18,119 --> 00:26:20,800 Speaker 1: not romantic. Yeah, I definitely want to go back and 501 00:26:20,840 --> 00:26:23,639 Speaker 1: see what I want to just go back and see 502 00:26:23,680 --> 00:26:27,639 Speaker 1: what has changed now. Oh yeah, absolutely, yeah, I'd love 503 00:26:27,640 --> 00:26:30,800 Speaker 1: to take my family and have them experience it. Yes, 504 00:26:31,080 --> 00:26:37,080 Speaker 1: all right. Second question ready cold on tight Okay, what's 505 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:47,040 Speaker 1: your favorite podcast and why is it more? Oh? Wow, 506 00:26:47,160 --> 00:26:52,359 Speaker 1: my favorite podcast? M h. Well, I'd have to break 507 00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:55,400 Speaker 1: that down because their story podcasts and then there are 508 00:26:56,040 --> 00:27:00,880 Speaker 1: um our interview podcast and this is gonna both. So 509 00:27:01,000 --> 00:27:03,520 Speaker 1: I would say that more Nita has definitely been my 510 00:27:03,560 --> 00:27:07,359 Speaker 1: favorite experience in terms of how fun the conversation is 511 00:27:07,400 --> 00:27:10,480 Speaker 1: and how conversational it is. I hate podcasts that I've 512 00:27:10,480 --> 00:27:12,400 Speaker 1: been on in the past where I feel like I'm 513 00:27:12,440 --> 00:27:16,879 Speaker 1: running a filmmaking workshop, which is I'm not a teacher 514 00:27:16,960 --> 00:27:18,480 Speaker 1: that way, you know. I just I just like to 515 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:21,119 Speaker 1: tell my stories and if people got something from it. 516 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:24,280 Speaker 1: So I think you've been really great at just creating 517 00:27:24,320 --> 00:27:26,760 Speaker 1: a conversation and it's just been really fun talking to you. 518 00:27:26,880 --> 00:27:29,120 Speaker 1: So in terms of interview, I would have to say 519 00:27:29,119 --> 00:27:31,480 Speaker 1: this is definitely one of my favorite interview podcasts I've 520 00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:35,840 Speaker 1: done already here first, you guys, that's and that's no 521 00:27:35,960 --> 00:27:38,680 Speaker 1: lie right there, and then and then but the one 522 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:41,359 Speaker 1: I really liked and really responded to recently and it 523 00:27:41,440 --> 00:27:45,960 Speaker 1: stayed with me is uh tehanna um. And of course 524 00:27:46,040 --> 00:27:48,920 Speaker 1: you know it's on Sonoro, but still, I just I 525 00:27:48,960 --> 00:27:51,399 Speaker 1: just love the concept the idea of a of a 526 00:27:51,600 --> 00:27:57,520 Speaker 1: Latina Texas ranger. Um. There's so many different ways that 527 00:27:57,520 --> 00:27:59,800 Speaker 1: that story can go. And I'm i'm I've read that 528 00:28:00,040 --> 00:28:02,160 Speaker 1: they might be making it into a TV show, which 529 00:28:02,200 --> 00:28:05,560 Speaker 1: would be amazing because I could run forever. Yeah, so 530 00:28:06,080 --> 00:28:08,600 Speaker 1: I've read that We'll see, you know how things take 531 00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:11,919 Speaker 1: forever to get done in this town. But but Hannah, 532 00:28:11,920 --> 00:28:14,920 Speaker 1: I really enjoyed a lot like it, really like I've 533 00:28:14,920 --> 00:28:17,720 Speaker 1: probably even listened to it three or four times. It's 534 00:28:17,720 --> 00:28:21,359 Speaker 1: only six episodes, so I was hoping for a second season. 535 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:23,040 Speaker 1: But if it goes to television, maybe they won't get 536 00:28:23,040 --> 00:28:27,080 Speaker 1: a second season the podcast. Yeah, and is there something 537 00:28:27,280 --> 00:28:34,480 Speaker 1: called is the podcast I'm directing right now, and when 538 00:28:34,520 --> 00:28:36,919 Speaker 1: that airs and it's finished, that will definitely be my 539 00:28:37,000 --> 00:28:41,000 Speaker 1: favorite podcast. How to give you a plug in out 540 00:28:41,000 --> 00:28:46,200 Speaker 1: of thank you so much. I appreciate that. Um, all right, 541 00:28:46,920 --> 00:28:50,160 Speaker 1: next question, all right, if you could switch the lead 542 00:28:50,320 --> 00:28:54,000 Speaker 1: character of a movie into a different film, who would 543 00:28:54,040 --> 00:28:59,160 Speaker 1: it be and into what film? Oh? Man, I know 544 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:03,960 Speaker 1: that's a tough one. Um. So I take a character 545 00:29:03,960 --> 00:29:06,520 Speaker 1: from another movie and put them in a different movie, 546 00:29:07,400 --> 00:29:15,800 Speaker 1: exactly minting, Um, it would be interesting to take, like, 547 00:29:17,560 --> 00:29:19,320 Speaker 1: all right, it would be interesting if you took like 548 00:29:19,440 --> 00:29:21,959 Speaker 1: a Nino Brown from New jack City and put him 549 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:25,520 Speaker 1: in the Godfather and put him in the god bother movie. Wait, 550 00:29:25,600 --> 00:29:31,240 Speaker 1: I think that I think you're onto something that would 551 00:29:31,280 --> 00:29:34,760 Speaker 1: be very interesting, wasn't. Yeah, I mean I watch it, 552 00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:37,760 Speaker 1: or vice versa. You take the you take Marlon Brando's 553 00:29:37,840 --> 00:29:41,320 Speaker 1: Don Corleone and put him into New Jack City. Either way, 554 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:48,040 Speaker 1: I'll watch both of it. Are you directing? Hell? Yeah? 555 00:29:48,440 --> 00:29:51,320 Speaker 1: All right. Next question, this is a little bit of 556 00:29:51,360 --> 00:29:54,840 Speaker 1: trivia for you because you were a Chaplain fan. Apparently yes, 557 00:29:55,600 --> 00:30:01,760 Speaker 1: as we spoke about, you made the Adventures of Cholo Chaplain. 558 00:30:02,000 --> 00:30:07,120 Speaker 1: So as how many films that Charlie Chaplin starred in 559 00:30:07,200 --> 00:30:15,360 Speaker 1: have been registered in the National Film Registry three B five, 560 00:30:16,160 --> 00:30:21,800 Speaker 1: C seven or D fourteen. I'm gonna say D fourteen 561 00:30:21,840 --> 00:30:28,840 Speaker 1: because he did a lot. Okay, Carlos, I don't have 562 00:30:28,920 --> 00:30:38,680 Speaker 1: the answer, Carlos, where is the answer? Is he right? No, 563 00:30:39,240 --> 00:30:49,160 Speaker 1: I'm wrong, He's wrong. I overestimate to my love with Chaplain. Okay, amazing, 564 00:30:49,520 --> 00:30:52,960 Speaker 1: I'll keep it moving, all right. Last question, this is 565 00:30:53,000 --> 00:30:56,680 Speaker 1: a heavy one. What is the one thing that reminds 566 00:30:56,720 --> 00:31:02,560 Speaker 1: you of home? However it is that you define home? Oh? Wow, Um, 567 00:31:02,800 --> 00:31:05,360 Speaker 1: that is a that is a heavy question. It's been 568 00:31:05,400 --> 00:31:08,440 Speaker 1: a while since I've been away from my family. Um 569 00:31:08,480 --> 00:31:10,760 Speaker 1: with whether I travel or if I'm doing a movie, 570 00:31:11,360 --> 00:31:13,160 Speaker 1: and I'm trying to think of the things that remind 571 00:31:13,200 --> 00:31:16,240 Speaker 1: me of home. Um, you know, I have to say 572 00:31:16,320 --> 00:31:19,720 Speaker 1: I this is gonna sound hokey, but I carry home 573 00:31:20,240 --> 00:31:23,840 Speaker 1: with me. It's my strength. So wherever I go, I 574 00:31:23,880 --> 00:31:27,360 Speaker 1: never really feel like I'm missing because it's just so 575 00:31:28,560 --> 00:31:30,800 Speaker 1: my My family, my wife, my two kids are so 576 00:31:30,840 --> 00:31:33,920 Speaker 1: strongly embedded in my in my psyche and in my 577 00:31:34,000 --> 00:31:36,360 Speaker 1: heart that I just wherever I'm at there with me. 578 00:31:36,880 --> 00:31:40,480 Speaker 1: Love that. I love that, Kenneth. How can our listeners 579 00:31:40,600 --> 00:31:43,240 Speaker 1: keep up with you? Is there a social media handle 580 00:31:43,240 --> 00:31:44,680 Speaker 1: that you want to share? Is there a place that 581 00:31:44,760 --> 00:31:48,239 Speaker 1: you are usually on more than others? Yeah? Actually, if 582 00:31:48,280 --> 00:31:51,760 Speaker 1: everyone goes to Kenneth Gustillo film dot com, they'll have 583 00:31:52,480 --> 00:31:55,440 Speaker 1: access to everything that I've done and all my social 584 00:31:55,440 --> 00:31:59,200 Speaker 1: media is there. Um. Yeah, I just revamped my website 585 00:31:59,240 --> 00:32:01,280 Speaker 1: so I'm really happy with how it came out, and 586 00:32:01,320 --> 00:32:05,280 Speaker 1: it's just really simplified in terms of showcasing my past 587 00:32:05,320 --> 00:32:07,640 Speaker 1: work and and we're and things that I have coming 588 00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:10,640 Speaker 1: out amazing. Cannot wait to see it, cannot wait to 589 00:32:10,720 --> 00:32:13,040 Speaker 1: keep an eye on you. Thank you so much for 590 00:32:13,120 --> 00:32:16,040 Speaker 1: hanging out with us today. It's been an absolutely pleasure 591 00:32:16,560 --> 00:32:18,080 Speaker 1: that was a lot of fun. Thank you so much 592 00:32:18,120 --> 00:32:20,480 Speaker 1: for the interest and for you know, getting my story 593 00:32:20,520 --> 00:32:23,719 Speaker 1: out there. I really appreciate it. Absolutely absolutely, it's been 594 00:32:23,720 --> 00:32:30,960 Speaker 1: a pleasure. We'll talk soon for sure. Mona Nita is 595 00:32:31,000 --> 00:32:34,720 Speaker 1: a production of Sono in partnership with I Heart radiosa 596 00:32:34,840 --> 00:32:38,560 Speaker 1: podcast network. For more podcasts from I Heart Radio, visit 597 00:32:38,600 --> 00:32:41,719 Speaker 1: the I Heart Radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you 598 00:32:41,760 --> 00:32:43,080 Speaker 1: listen to your favorite shows.