HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to “gossip”. In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting, performance or similarly artistic gigs and/or recognition in the media. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are listed below in boldface. To see what other HOLA members are doing currently, click here.

Paola Tonini, shown at right, was featured in an article in the Latin Times, where she spoke on her life and career, especially her lead role in the film The Hardest Love (written and directed by Henry B. Roa). The award-winning feature film also stars Francisco Ramos and Jason Torres. To read the article, click here.

Tony Plana is currently filming the feature film Butterfly Caught (written and directed by Manny Rodríguez, Jr.).

J.W. Cortés, Javier Márquez and Yenny Love are among the stars of the film Three From the Block. The film, written and directed by Antonio De La Cruz, consists of three interconnected vignettes (The Astronaut, The Police, Life is Elsewhere) that all takes place on the same city block (107th Street in Manhattan). The film is currently in post-production.

Luis Galli wrapped up work on the short film Milagro (written and directed by Andrea Betanzos). The film, which is currently in post-production, also stars Laura Patalano and Nathalie Tolentino. He is currently filming the feature film Un mordisco a la manzana (written by Luis Rodríguez and Natalia Fernández and directed by Rodríguez).

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you live in the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, why not join? If you live outside the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, you can find out more information on how to do so by clicking here. If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to “gossip”. In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting, performance or similarly artistic gigs and/or recognition in the media. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are listed below in boldface. To see what other HOLA members are doing currently, click here.

Marlene Forté, shown at right, is co-starring in I Am Gangster (formerly called Citizen; written by Moritz Rechenberg, Caroline Chang, Mark McKeown and Kelly Parker, based on a story by Rechenberg; directed by Rechenberg). The feature film (which is currently in post-production and slated in 2015) stars Rick Mancia, Abraham Bobadilla and Gilberto Ortiz.

Olga Merediz, shown at left, is co-starring in Urge (written by Aaron Kaufman, Jerry Stahl and Jason Zumwalt; directed by Kaufman). The feature film (currently filming and slated for release in 2015) stars Alexis Knapp, Ashley Greene, Pierce Brosnan, Danny Masterson and Justin Chatwin.

Luis Galli was interviewed by Wilfred Serrano for the radio program "De Noche en Nueva York" (Emisora Sol Latino), where he spoke on his career as an actor.

Allison Strong was interviewed by PIX11 (the New York metropolitan area affiliate for The CW), where her work as a singer-songwriter was highlighted. The interview aired as part of a segment on the "PIX11 Morning News". To see the interview, click on the video below. For more information, click here.



If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you live in the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, why not join? If you live outside the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, you can find out more information on how to do so by clicking here. If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to “gossip”. In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting, performance or similarly artistic gigs and/or recognition in the media. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are listed below in boldface. To see what other HOLA members are doing currently, click here.

Izzy Ruiz, shown at right, has been on a roll, creatively, as he has booked guest-starring roles on "The Blacklist" (NBC), "Gotham" (Fox) and "Allegiance" (NBC).

Blanca Camacho reports voiceover work for "Blue Bloods" (CBS), "Nurse Jackie" (Showtime), and the upcoming Netflix series "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" (created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock); as well as theater work in the form of a workshop of the Herman Daniel Farrell III play Cousins Table, directed by John Steber and presented at New Dramatists (located in the theater district of midtown Manhattan). For more information, click here.

Jorge Díaz performed a workshop production of the ensemble-derived experimental theater piece "Abstractions" (directed by Benedetto Cantarella and based on the Jerzy Grotowski), which was presented at the Alchemical Theatre Laboratory, located in Manhattan's West Village/Chelsea area.

J.W. Cortés was interviewed on the podcast "Friday Night Cartoons" (PNC Radio) where he spoke on his career (which most notably has him playing Detective Álvarez in the Fox series "Gotham").

Alicia Kaplan was interviewed on Al Cole's Live 365 internet radio station for the program "People of Distinction". For more information, click here. 

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you live in the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, why not join? If you live outside the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, you can find out more information on how to do so by clicking here. If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

HOLA's own Manuel Herrera featured in SAG-AFTRA New York e-newsletter

HOLA's very own Special Projects Director, Manuel Herrera, shown at right, was featured in the SAG-AFTRA New York e-newsletter, as a result of a Spanish-language voiceover workshop he conducted in November in conjunction with the SAG Foundation and the SAG-AFTRA National Spanish Language Media Committee. Herrera teaches a voiceover workshop with HOLA twice a year, with the most recent session having just concluded. The text from the e-newsletter is below.

VOICEOVER - en español 

The SAG Foundation and the SAG-AFTRA National Spanish Language Media Committee hosted a series of Spanish-language voiceover workshops in the New York EIF Voiceover Lab with renowned actor, producer/director and voiceover consultant Manuel Herrera. More than 30 SAG-AFTRA members attended the workshops, which focused on helping Spanish-speaking actors fine-tune skills such as diction and voicing, rhythm and narration, interpretation and professional audition technique. Reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with members expressing gratitude for a workshop expressly tailored to the Spanish-language market and praising Herrera's skill as a teacher and guide.

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to “gossip”. In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting, performance or similarly artistic gigs and/or recognition in the media. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are listed below in boldface. To see what other HOLA members are doing currently, click here.

Víctor Cruz, shown at right, was a special guest performer at the Room 28 sketch comedy troupe's holiday show (also starring Michael Díaz, also known as Juan Bago), which took place in December at the Julia De Burgos Cultural Center, located in Manhattan's El Barrio neighborhood.

Cynthia Bastidas is acting in Nicholas Gorham's A Very Muslim Christmas. Directed by and also starring Gorham, the show will have performances in December at The Wild Project, located in Manhattan's Loísaida neighborhood. For more information, click here.

A.B. Lugo will be acting in a performance of William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Directed by Richard Hymes-Esposito, the production will take place in January and February at the American Theatre of Actors (ATA), located in the theater district of midtown Manhattan. For more information, click here.

J.W. Cortés was interviewed by Rhina Valentín for the BronxNet television program "Open". To see the whole episode, click here. To see the interview (in which he also sings "Happy Birthday to You" to the host), click on the image below.

 

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you live in the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, why not join? If you live outside the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, you can find out more information on how to do so by clicking here. If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

HOLAwave: Holiday Blessings and Staying Focused

[HOLAwave represents a series of guest blogs by industry insiders giving informative and educational tidbits for the Latino performer. They can range from acting and auditioning advice, tech tips, legal advice, marketing, producing tips, and so on. Get caught up in the wave– the HOLAwave.]

Actors, artists and community members.  

Hope you are taking an inventory of all the good things you've learned and achieved this year. It is so important to count your blessings and think positive. 

It has been a good year for more inclusion of Latinos in film, television and theater. We still have a long way to go but it is good to see more involvement going on with regards to casting. Be ready for next year everyone, stay focused and remember why you are an artist... to touch lives, to represent humanity and because you love to create. 

Also, dream big and go ahead... it's okay to seek out that glorious fame and fortune (although material gain should not be your primary focus), be ready to work for it and to do good with it if it happens. When you do get a part, be grateful and count your blessings. Be ready to be a leader and lift everybody up with you. We are a small community in actuality and we need to make the most of our times! Remember not to take rejection to heart, just focus on doing great in auditions.

Everybody knows not always the best actor gets the job– it's about chemistry, sometimes that director has to recognize what you can bring and at times he/she may not. If you feel you are not auditioning well then keep practicing, studying and digging deep inside, you'll find your voice. Do not lose your charisma, passion or drive for what you love... treat it well with respect and love. Now if anybody around you can't show proper support or an encouraging word, avoid them if possible and be strong, for they secretly are in awe of your bravery.

Although I don't know you all personally, I love you and send you many many blessings for this coming year. Finish your projects and ideas! Be safe, exercise, treat your bodies better and may there be tons of big productions involving Latinos all over the place this coming year! 

Happy Holidays!!!

Renoly Santiago was born in Lajas, Puerto Rico and he spent his childhood in Union City, New Jersey. He currently resides in New York City. He made his film debut co-starring in the blockbuster hit Dangerous Minds alongside Michelle Pfeiffer. Other film credits include Hackers with Angelina Jolie, Daylight with Sylvester Stallone, and Con Air with Nicolas Cage and John Malkovich; and the indie films Punks (Sundance Film Festival selection), The Street King, Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy and Lavoe: The Untold Story (where he played Latin music legend Johnny Pacheco). Among his episodic television appearances are guest leads in "Law & Order: Criminal Intent", "Touched by an Angel", "Big Apple" and "Stand Up".

He was nominated for a Drama Desk Award by the press as Outstanding Featured Performer in a Musical in his Broadway debut The Capeman, composed by Paul Simon, and in which he starred alongside Marc Anthony, Ednita Nazario and Rubén Blades. He has appeared in many off-Broadway productions under such notable directors as Liz Swados in Lincoln Center and in workshops with Graciela Daniele in Blood Wedding and Gabriel Barre in the Kander & Ebb musical Skin of Our Teeth with Audra McDonald and Sara Ramirez.  His writing credits include the Emmy-nominated television series "City Kids", in which he was also a lead character and the book to the musical Bring in the Morning… A Wake-Up Call at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York starring Lauryn Hill.

As a singer, he can be heard singing backup for recording artist India on her album Latin Songbird, duetting with Danny Rivera and Marc Anthony amongst others, having performed with many artists of international renown.  He is currently developing new acting, writing and production ventures across some exciting genres at home and abroad, also community arts projects. He is writing new songs in English and Spanish and is presently recording music for his debut album. 

Report: Spanish Language Voiceover Workshop with Manuel Herrera

Manuel Herrera once again conducted his renowned Spanish-Language Voiceover Workshop. For six (6) sessions, which took place at the HOLA office on Tuesdays and Thursdays between December 2 and December 18, 2014, he taught eager HOLA members diction in Spanish, interpretation and audition techniques in order to make it in the burgeoning Spanish language voiceover market. His classes are usually done for small groups of students, so that attention can be paid to each student. The workshop is one of the only (if not the only) one of its caliber in the U.S.

Some of the feedback from the students are below.

• Very satisfied. The level of comfort and encouragement created by [Manuel] Herrera encouraged and supported growth and taking risks.
• This class changed my life.
• Great class.
• [Herrera is] exceptional, supportive and caring.
• [The class is] affordable.
• [Herrera is] the best, super professional.
• [Herrera is] very pleasant and he explains [concepts] well.
• [Herrera] knows a lot about the subject.
• This [class] must definitely continue existing for us Latinos.
• Manuel Herrera is a GREAT instructor.