In case you haven’t noticed, “Tinseltown” stardom is almost exclusively limited to Anglo actors and actresses, with a huge push toward African-American performers over the last 10 years. That’s great, but where’s the love for Latinos competing for Hollywood roles in cinema and television? Veteran actor and producer Edward James Olmos believes it boils down to a closed door policy in the lucrative show business industry.
“It’s an opportunity thing,” says Olmos, 74, who has won a primetime Emmy for “Miami Vice” and an Oscar nomination for best actor in “Stand and Deliver,” among other Golden Globe and Tony Award performances. “They don’t use us to play in many roles, especially American-born Latinos.”
In a career that has spanned over 50 years on Broadway, films and television, Olmos is secure and wealthy in his retirement years. But he’s also a longtime activist, proud to be called a “Chicano,” and has always sought to level the playing field when it comes to Hispanics landing gigs in a tough employment market. Back in the late 1990’s, Olmos co-founded the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, now known as the Latino Film Institute. Under that umbrella is the Youth Cinema Project, a program put together by Olmos and television writer Rafael Agustin, is now taught in dozens of school districts across California.
“We created YCP because we realized that the cavalry wasn’t coming,” laughs Agustin, the CEO of the Latino Film Institute. “Nobody was coming to save us, so we needed to save ourselves.”
The program starts accepting students as early as fourth grade all the way up through high school, and are mentored by actual professional filmmakers.
“The course is offered the entire school year, and the kids learn all aspects of filmmaking and storytelling,” says Olmos, who has always enjoyed working with young learners. “I’ve been blessed to be able to work in schools, libraries, community centers, hospitals and juvenile halls.”
The driving strategy behind programs like the Youth Cinema Project is obvious. Aspiring young Latino actors and actresses without the financial means to get advanced training puts them at a distinct disadvantage. But if public schools can offer specialized classes as part of its regular curriculum, that could be a game changer.
Another “pioneer” in this carefully planned blueprint to success is Yeniffer Behrens, a veteran actress and producer with over 20 years experience on the silver screen and the tube. The former Miss Teen Miami went through incredible adversity during her late adolescence, and was left to support her siblings even before finishing high school. Jennifer’s personal “Bio-Pic,” called “Her Choices,” is currently in the works and the release date with more info will soon be shared on this website.
For now however, this energetic lady and her husband, Mauricio Mendoza, are mentoring Hispanic youngsters via zoom and at their studio, True Form Films. The pair also encourage bilingual students to enroll so that opportunities in international projects can be explored. With COVID-19 restrictions somewhat relaxed, Yeniffer and Mauricio are incredibly busy with their own careers and continue to co-host a morning talk show called “11:11.” But True Form Films, established back in 2006, has an excellent casting track record and both remain committed in their mission. Their start-up program. Shortcut2Hollywood, offers training in everything from films, television and national commercials to voice-overs and musical theatre.
“We’ve been fortunate to connect with some amazing new talent,” says Behrens, pointing to young Sebastain Cano, who stared in Fear The Walking Dead, Jaloguin and Miss Bala.
That said, Yeniffer is very proud of her own children and their contributions. Adrian Moreira Behrens. 20, was a featured performer in After School, a major True Form production, and is now a student at Princeton University. Then there’s Yeniffer and Mauricio’s daughter Julianna, 9, who has made waves recently appearing on the television shows All Rise and SWAT, plus a Citibank commercial. Those accomplishments are important, and the drive to introduce more young Latino talent in the entertainment industry is the motivating factor for everyone determined to make a difference. The numbers must increase so the big shots will take notice.
Folks like Olmos and Behrens understand that Hispanics, due to language barriers, typecasting, economic disadvantages or for whatever reason, do not enjoy equal representation in Hollywood. Yet, according to Pew Research, Latinos are the largest minority group in the United States at nearly 20 percent. It’s time to grab a slice of the American pie.
