HOLA Legends: Rita Moreno

Rita Moreno, born Rosa Dolores Alverío on December 11, 1931, is a Puerto Rican singer, dancer and actress. She is the first and only Hispanic and one of ten performers who have won an Emmy (one for "The Muppet Show" and one for "The Rockford Files"), a Grammy (for The Electric Company album, a Tony (for The Ritz) and an Oscar (for West Side Story), and at the time the second Puerto Rican to win an Academy Award.

This clip shows Ms. Moreno as Googie Gómez singing her big musical number in the film version of Terrence McNally's The Ritz.

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting and performance gigs.

The Rafael Spregelburd play La estupidez for a short run at the Repertorio Español in the Gramercy area of Manhattan and be helmed by Julián J. Mesri, a Van Lier Young Directors Fellow. The cast includes Yanko Bakulic, Mariana Buoninconti, Freia Canals, Mario Mattei and Eric Robledo and is set for a late July, early August run.

Manhattan Repertory Theater is presenting Memory is a Culinary Affair as part of their Summerfest 2010. Written by Graciela Berger Weisman and directed by Heather Violanti, the play is set to occur at Manhattan Rep's eponymous theater in the theater district of midtown Manhattan and features Ydaiber Orozco, Mariana Parma and Juan Villarreal in the cast.

Actor-playwright-producer Mario Golden e-mailed us from Berlin, Germany to tell us that he is filming You Are So Beautiful there. The film, being directed by Frieder Schlaich, deals with a Latino immigrant family in Germany. Golden, who splits his time between the U.S. and Germany, is working with Andreas Robertz on their theater project Intimate Relations Project.

Blanca Vásquez e-mailed us to let us know that she booked a TV commercial for the U.S. Census, where she played a pregnant young mom. As a result, she is now SAG-eligible. She also co-narrated (with Shari Peele and Cherise Boothe) the audiobook Jumped (written by Rita Williams-García), for which she received the following review: "The narrators give the characters flavor and texture, making them sound like genuine teens and making the narration all that much more believable."

If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellogram.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting and performance gigs.

Esteban Benito, Lissette Espaillat and Lina Sarrello (pictured at right) can be seen in René Solivan's play Cheat. Directed by Anthony Ruiz, the play is being produced by Duo Theater at its eponymous space in Manhattan's East Village. (She got the audition due to an HOLA referral.)

Moisés Acevedo e-mailed us to let us that he worked on a new TV show starring Louis C.K. called "Louie" (FX) and did two voiceovers for a book company. In addition, he is working on this short film titled Kings Of Bushwick. The film Don't Let Me Drown, in which he stars, open on August 20 in selected theaters in NYC. He also co-hosts a radio show called "Pocket Change" (with Cassandra Kate Escobar), where they talk about everything-- planning, saving money, reaching goal and financial literacy for young people. The program airs every Tuesday at 2:30pm only on WDJZ Radio.

Luis Salgado has announced that he is leaving the Broadway musical In The Heights to move on to two different projects: the first being the concert staging of the Paul Simon/Derek Walcott musical The Capeman, to take place this summer at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park and then as a cast member of the Broadway musical version of Pedro Almodóvar's Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, to be produced by and at Lincoln Center.

If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellogram.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?

Accent Reduction Seminar with Glenn Zuraw

HOLAfábrica
presents

Accent Reduction Seminar with GLENN ZURAW

Thursday, July 22, 2010
6:30-9PM

$25 (Non-HOLA members $35)

New and Returning Students

LOS KABAYITOS CHILDREN’S THEATER
@ CSV Cultural and Educational Center
107 Suffolk Street, 2nd Floor, NYC
(F to Delancey / J M Z to Essex / M14A or M9 bus)

Hey HOLA Actors!

Wanna attend a really cool and fun workshop that is geared to helping you sound more “American?” Ya know, the way Americans “sing” when they speak has a reason and you’ll learn the “why.” If English is your SECOND LANGUAGE or even if you grew up here, in NYC, by attending the workshop, you’ll get some insight on how to sound more “Standard American” and less, well, whatever you sound like now! Sure, that Latin American accent sounds so sexy to us “Americans” and why not learn how to soften it for a role that requires less of it!

Do you know how many different ways you can say the phrase “He likes the color purple?” There are at least six (6) different ways to say that simple phrase and each one is TOTALLY DIFFERENT. Come to the workshop and find out how!

We at HOLA look forward to seeing you on the 22nd!
Wine and cheese will be served (so that you are more relaxed…. )

Glenn Zuraw
Certified ESL Teacher/Accent Reduction Coach

REGISTRATION UPON PAYMENT
(212) 253-1015
AMEX, MASTERCARD AND VISA ACCEPTED
$25 (non-HOLA members: $35)

Thoughts by some of his previous students...

"He [Zuraw] was great, knowledgeable, friendly and engaging."

"He gave us many tips and insights. Very amenable and clear."
"Very fun and informative. [He] dominated the topic."
"Great teacher. Thorough. Many more people can benefit from it."
"The instructor was patient and knowledgeable. Nice, friendly and respectful."
"Very informative, fun and friendly. Helpful."

# # # #

CBS DIVERSITY INSTITUTE ACTORS WORKSHOP with Fern Orenstein

CBS and CBS Diversity recently offered a workshop focused on marketing for actors. Fern Orenstein, Vice President of CBS Casting, and Bárbara S. Matos, Manager of CBS Diversity, presented a forum to share important tips on casting for TV and a critique of individual materials. Members of the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA), American Indian Artists, Inc. (AMERINDA, Inc.), the Negro Ensemble Company (NEC), Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (AFTRA) were also invited to participate.

The majority of the workshop was spent on the impact of headshots. Fern showed examples of headshots and then went on to critique individual headshots. She took the time to review each participants’s headshot and ask them about their goals. It was apparent people weren’t aware of their own goals by their inability to answer her questions. One of those questions was, “What kind of work are you looking to book?” I admit to being one of those who stumbled when asked the question.

As the critiques went on, Fern’s comments were equally funny but brutal. Her piercing honesty was an indication of how harsh the casting process can be. In the end, it’s a reflection of how fast-paced the industry is. As a result, there’s no time for nonsense. People submitting for roles in TV need to be prepared, focused and professional. Anything less will most likely bring about a very unpleasant experience. Fern’s overall message was to focus on the reality of who you are and what types you can play to help redirect a floundering career. She warned not to let ego or self-esteem issues get in the way of what you can actually do. In the end, you need to remember the business end of acting. Be professional, know your market, know your goals and target your efforts towards that which will bring about the most success.

One of the most insightful pieces of information provided by Fern was how the TV casting process works. The difference in TV casting is that you ARE the role you’re auditioning for. You need to be the character as you walk into the audition room. Consider it “condensed casting” due to the extremely fast pace at which casting directors work. This is where your headshot can be an effective tool. Your headshot should represent your type and any other important aspects of yourself (i.e. height, weight and even whether you have an accent) so there are no surprises for casting directors when they meet you.

Regarding headshots, most people are given the tip to “be yourself” or “show your personality.” It’s not so much showing “who you are” in the headshot but showing the types of characters you can play (realistically and honestly). Keep in mind this is specific to casting for episodic TV shows and doesn’t really apply to other genres such as theatre or commercials. This is the importance of knowing your target market. I never knew this aspect of TV casting before the workshop and cannot thank Fern enough for sharing this invaluable information.

Some other tips from the workshop are below.

Keynotes on targeting work:

• Know who you are! Know your type!
• Be aware of patterns in casting
• Watch shows on networks to research roles (and types of roles) that are available
• Submit for things you are truly right for

Keynotes on what to know BEFORE you get your headshots:

• Know what kind of work you’re looking to do
• Think about the performance in the headshot, what character(s) are you portraying?
• Plan for 2-3 different shots that represent different characters you can portray

TIPS ON PHOTO SHOOTS:

• Use location shots to keep headshots from looking flat. Make sure background is appropriate for “character”
• Be very aware of color choices
• Make sure angles on poses are not awkward
• Women: avoid spaghetti strap style shirts

Keynotes on headshots that will get you seen:

• Full color!
• Make sure your materials reflect what the casting notice is asking for
• Be aware most shots are first viewed by casting director at thumbnail size. Make sure your headshots translate well at a reduced size.
  

In closing, I want to thank CBS for this workshop. It was key in shedding light to some of the stumbling blocks towards a successful career in TV. Whatever your path, be professional, stay focused and dare to reach for the stars. Wishing you all success!

...Phoenix Ximénez
HOLA Member

Report: The Mental Game of Auditioning Workshop with Hermán Chaves

Hermán Chaves held another workshop on The Mental Game of Auditioning. Produced by HOLAfábrica, the workshop is designed to help actors not get intimidated and do their best at auditions. It took place over two days at Los Kabayitos Theater in the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center (home to HOLA) in Manhattan's Loísaida neighborhood.

At the end of the workshop, students were given a survey to fill out. The opinions was pretty much unanimous in praise for Chaves and his direct, "no BS" approach. Some of the opinions are below.

• "[Hermán] is a passionate conveyor of the basic knowledge an actor needs to demystify the audition [process]."
• "Very informative and helpful. Gave me a little push to go auditioning."
• "This is one of the best seminars I've attended."
• "I gained a real life perspective of the entertainment industry and simple techniques I could use."
• "Hermán has a passion for what he does, it shows in his work."

Photo credit: Martín Chávez.

HOLAfábrica presents Audiobooks Technique workshop

HOLAfábrica presents for the first time

an intensive two-day, four-hour
Audiobooks Technique workshop
on how to audition for audiobooks

HOLA Special Projects Director and Rights Acquisitions/Director of AudioLibros, Recorded Books Productions, Manuel Herrera, will be conducting a "how to" approach to

• choosing the right audition material
• microphone practice
• characterization and interpretation technique.

August 3 & 5, 2010
Tuesday and Thursday
6:30 to 8:30pm
Air conditioned

Recorded Books Productions
826 Broadway, 10th Floor (near East 12th Street), NYC

HOLA members $80 (non-members $100)
PAYABLE IN ADVANCE
MasterCard, Visa & American Express
Limited class size
Call to register (212) 253-1015

NOTE: The workshop will be conducted in Spanish.
NOTA: El taller se va a conducir en español.