I have made a career, out of being underestimated. No one thought, I could make it as an actor (father, friends, girlfriend, all thought I was nuts), back in 1980, when I turned my back, on a promising computer career. , No one thought, I could write and direct (even though, I studied with Stella Adler and attended UCLA, as a film student). My acting peers, all scoffed at me, for my belief, in myself, as a film maker. The first theater production, I directed, was A PEASANT OF EL SALVADOR. It was a critical success, even though, the initial lead actor (who called me his friend, yeah right), attempted to get me fired. I took the production, away from the producers, and had the understudy, take over the role, and we were a critical hit, with rave reviews in the Los Angeles Times. The second theater production, I directed, was LA CHUNGA. Another critical and box office success. I was not the initial director. The original director, was fired, one week, before opening night. I was brought in, to save the day, for a payment of 1k. I worked hard, figured out, how to crack this very tricky play; and we all won awards, for acting (the 3 lead actors), production, and direction. The sad part, is that the producer only paid me 20% of the initial deal, and she also credited herself, with co-directing the play (trust me, she could not direct at all); eve though, I had convinced the great artist, Gronk, to do the set, which he did, for free, no costs at all. I was not allowed to see the play, once it opened, as per agreement, for the lousy 200 bucks. I had counted on the 1k, but I knew she would never pay me, per agreement, so took what I could. The first movie, I produced, was ILL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. A Universal Television short (35 mm), that was part of the Universal Television Hispanic Film Project. I protected the director, from being micro managed, by the executive producer, who then put his name, as co-producer, even though, I had done all the work. It is a beautiful film. The first TV show, I co-created, was CHANNEL ZERO. I hooked up, my co-creators, with a cool producer, with all the gear; cameras, lighting packages editing facilities, etc. We made a cool TV pilot. However, my co-creators, stabbed me in the back, when I was out of town, working on a movie. Even after all I had done, to help them, get produced, I was forced to the margins, on this project. And now.... THE LAST BROWN BERET, which was a play that I was one of the original cast members of, when it was first produced, back in 1992, at Plaza de la Raza. This project, was and is considered, an important part of Chicano literature. Sad part? There was much back stabbing, as numerous people, jockeyed for position, to make this very important and successful play, into a good movie. Many times, I avoided being run off the project. Even though, I was one of the main draws of this production, I was to be replaced by a big Chicano star, as Rude Boy. I fought off this loss of my potential, this hindering of my opportunity, and won. It is a long story. I cast actors, I had worked with before. Many scoffed at the choices. I revel in the fact, that all of their careers, have taken off. Not because of me, or our project; but because they are damn good actors, and I have good taste, in actors. Many scoffed, at me directing it, for an impossibly low budget. I got the perfect Director of Photography, adapted a damn good screenplay, from the play; and miracle of miracles, we made a damn good movie. This s the trailer. I am grateful, that we are winning the creative battle, and that we do indeed, have a wonderful movie, being completed soon. Thanks to all our supporters. They have not been many, but their legions will grow, once they see our movie. Being underestimated, can be a powerful ally, if one is driven to prove them wrong. Thanks to all the naysayers.
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 21:01:39 +0000
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