Special Supplement from the Publisher of Latin Heat Entertainment

January/February 2008

Charity
Begins with
Constance Marie

Eva

Fashion Sense

Michael Pea: Q&A

Michael Pea:

Invested in His Work

like, I am cold. You have an interesting story about how you got stated in the business, tell us about that. I went to an open call. I never acted before. I remember the producers asked So can you act? I was like, Were going to find out, man. I had no idea. After that, he was like, Whos your agent? What? I asked, after he repeaded the question a few times. Your agent? Look man, you asked me four times already, I told him. Right from there I just kept on working, but I had a lot of learning to do. Its tough. I actually came to Los Angeles with $3,000 and said Im going to make it here somehow. I had to live in a van. Stay in hotel rooms. I stayed on peoples couches sometimes. There was a time where I was doing acting just for the money, just to get along, and it wasnt fun. I wasnt even making that much money, but thats what I was going for. It kind of sounds cheesy, but I said Im going to do the best possible job I can. Im going to really invest in it. I think being engaged is the best thing you can do.

think. Tom Cruise, ObviouslyT Meryl Streep, and Robert Redford in one movie? In one movie? I showed the script to my parents and my brother, and hes like, Holy crap. Are you kidding me? Tom and Meryl, dude? Throw in a little Robert Redford. Whats it like working with Director/Producer Robert Redford? He was very much into communication. Its why hes a star. Its why hes a legend. Its why he is who he is. Hes very interested. Hes

By Anthony J. Gomez

ttending a casting call without any prior acting experience, hopeful Michael Pea was cast over hundreds of other actors to be included in Tell us about your two the film To Sir With Love 2, an American u pcoming films not television movie starring Sidney Poitier. trying to be interYears later, Pea has climbed the The Lucky Ones is with esting. When he gets talking, pretty Hollywood ranks and has worked in not me, Rachel McAdams, and soon youre talking about Babe Ruth and one, but two Academy Award winning Tim Robbins. It is directed by Neil Burger, Hank Aaron. Then after you walk away, films: Million Dollar Baby (2004) and Crash who directed The Illusionist. I think hes a youre like, I was just talking baseball with (2005). He has only built his resume really good filmmaker and I really liked his Rob Redford. stronger with roles in Babel, World Trade way of filmmaking. Its basically a road Center, and Shooter, receiving accolades story and its kind of a dark and awards for his acting from The comedy. Pinkville [directed by There was a time where I was doing acting just Foundation for the Advancement of Oliver Stone] is about the My for the money, just to get along, and it wasnt fun. Lai Massacre of Vietnam of African Americans in Film (FAAAF), Imagen Foundation, and the American 1969. Latino Media Arts (ALMA). I think this is the year of the Pea talks about his most recent role in The film takes place in Afghanistan. Where soldier. Now you have Clint Eastwood with Lions for Lambs (released this past was it actually shot? two war movies. Oliver Stone, Robert November), his career, and future projects. Redford, Stephen Soderberghall of my In Chatsworth, California. Doesnt it sound favorite directors are doing war movies Tell us what you liked about the doing weird? They had fake snow all around right now. So you know what? Lets do it. I Lions for Lambs. except where we were. To be honest with dont know how much longer I have, to do you, I was in the [real] snow and it did help First and foremost, it was the script. I these kinds of roles. Once I get older, I out. Rob Redford was like, That was thought it was kind of ballsy. [The film] dont think Ill be able to run across a field. great, I really believed you were cold. Im raises questions. It doesnt tell you what to Ill just be stuck in the cold snow.
p.84 www.vip-latino.com Special Supplement from the Publisher of Latin Heat Entertainment January/February 2008

CharityEva
E
Karina Smirnoff & Mario Lopez Jessica Alba Daisy Fuentes & Matt Gross Nicollete Sheridan

Begins with

Celebrity for a Good Cause

his past October Eva Longoria hosted the 7th PADRES Contra El Cancer Annual Fundraising

Gala, El Sueo de Esperanza at The

Lot in West Hollywood, CA. In attendance were co-host George Lopez and some of Evas closest friends, Jessica Alba, Mario Lopez, Daisy Fuentes, Constance Marie, Lisa Rinna, her Desperate Housewives cast member Nicolette Sheridan and many more. The evening was presented by Farmers Insurance Group and raised over $830,000.

Eva Longoria surrounded by (L-R) Victor Franco Jr. Ek&Ek; Lenny Sage; Luisa Acosta Franco-AVP Emerging Markets, Farmers; Dave Travers- SVP, Farmers; Cindy Travers; Kevin Kelso-EVP Farmers; Marybeth Kelso; Charles Dablegott-State ED CA Inland-Farmers; Elvia Barboa, CEO PADRES Contra El Cancer.

vas involvement with PADRES Contra El Cncer, a non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life for Latino children with cancer and their families, spans over six years, long before becoming an Lisa Rinna & international Larry Hamlin star as Gabrielle in Desperate Housewives. Eva became the organizations first spokesperson in 2005, bringing national media coverage and raising awareness to the 21 year old organization, while helping

boost its fundraising abilities. When she joined PADRES as National Spokesperson, Eva made a commitment that she would lend more than just her name, recounts Elvia Barboa, CEO of PADRES. Her commitment was to each individual child battling cancer and their families. PADRES is proud to say that she has gone above and beyond her commitment. PADRES strategically utilizes Eva Longoria to accept the donations on behalf of the organization, drawing national and international media coverage and enhancing the worlds view of Evas philanthropic image. My wish is for PADRES to become a nationally recognized organization attracting sponsors, donations and support from all communities, not only our own, to join in the battle against cancer, Longoria says.

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Special Supplement from the Publisher of Latin Heat Entertainment January/February 2008 p.85

Photos: Jeff Turose

Constance Maries

From East L.A. to Hollywood

Fashion Sense is obvious!

C
By Julio Martinez

onstance Marie beams as she thrusts her hands out to a coterie of enthusiastic teenage Latinas who have come to a local Mervyns Department store for the launch of The Constance Marie Collection, Maries signature clothing line that is exclusive to Mervyns. These are my kind of ladies, Marie laughs. When I was a teenager growing up in East L.A., I was just like them, hanging out at the mall. Marie, who has completed her long-running starring role as George Lopezs better half on ABCs The George Lopez Show, is quite aware that she is a role model for Latin women. The fun part for Marie has been her active role in designing the line. I have been dealing with studio wardrobe designers and fitters for quite a while now, she says. I have learned a lot of tricks from wardrobe [designers] on how to make a figure slimmer, younger and more alluring. All of this knowledge has gone into my clothing line.

Make up/Hair designer C l a r k R u s s e l l, voted one of the best Latino hairdressers & makeup artist in the U.S. by Latina Magazine brought his talent all the way from Walnut Creek, CA where hes one of the most coveted hair dressers and make up artists. On the shoot it was his pleasure to fuss over the girls every make-up wish and he did a fantastic job! Clark Russell the Salon at www.clarkrussellsalon.com The shoot was photographed by A n g e l a M a r i a O r t i z S. an artist in her own right whose artwork is featured in and around Los Angeles. Check her work out at www.myspace.com/amosartstudio

Hair designer P a u l S e a n took great pain to see that the models were sporting simply sexy hair. He saw to every detail from hair color, to cut, to stylingand he does wondersand not just models. Paul Sean Salon in W. Hollywood www.pauljeansalon.com

The Style Team

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Special Supplement from the Publisher of Latin Heat Entertainment January/February 2008

line, that she described as fun, fashionableand affordable, we just knew we had to feature it and needed to hire some Latina models. Where to find them? We called the Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, none there. But Janice Dickinson was inspired, and realized that if her agency was going to be competitive in todays market, she needed to represent Latinas. Janice held a casting call that was answered by hundreds of hopefuls. She signed up 20 Latinas for agency representation. She presented ViP Latino with beautiful Latinas that represented a wide spectrum of beauty. And they looked fabulous in Constance clothes! The whole booking and photo shoot process was featured in the premiere episode of the 3rd season of The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency Show this past December 4th and will be re-airing during January 2008 on Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m. (ET) and 9:30 p.m. (MT) on the Oxygen channel. Check your local listings.

Featured on the
hen ViP Latino heard that Constance Marie was working on her own fashion

Janice Dickenson couldnt resist getting into the action and modeling with her girls bringing smiles to all their faces.

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Special Supplement from the Publisher of Latin Heat Entertainment January/February 2008 p.87

Oscar Torres: Sreenwriter

Launch

Apple[s] for Latinos

have been an inveterate PC user for well over a quarter century. So it was with great trepidation that I opened the box that contained the holiday gift from my family. My daughter summed up the gift giving with a succinct, Dad, its time you joined the 21st century. My first thought when I lifted my MacBook out of its packing case was, Well, its light enough.

riter/producer Oscar Torres is a busy man, juggling four current film projects, riding the success and acclaim accorded his auto biographical feature, Voces Inocentes (Innocent Voices). Directed by Luis Mandoki, the film was Mexicos 2005 Academy Award entry. Voces Inocentes was inspired by Torres own strife-riddled early life in El Salvador, that forced him to flee his native country at fourteen. Although he made a valiant attempt to complete an education in the Latin American Studies program at the University of California at Berkeley, he found he was much more interested in cutting classes and going to the movies. Moving to Hollywood he forged the beginnings of an acting career with guest appearances in such TV series as ER, CSI: Miami, and Any Day Now. The success of Voces Inocentes solidified Torres determination to establish himself as a screenwriter and producer. Current projects include The Mexican Singer starring Latin heartthrob and Grammy winner Alejandro Fernandez. I wrote this specifically for Fernandez, says Torres. It is being produced by Panamex Films, which is headed by Jim MacNamara, the former CEO of Telemundo. Also in the works is Madre de Dios, a romantic drama focusing on the current ecological disaster befalling the Peruvian rain forests. This film is going to be the English language debut of Barbara Mori, the leading soap star in Mexico, says Torres. I am also scouting in Mexico for a young actor who can portray the legCantinflas in a bio film I am endary comic actor Mario Moreno C writing. We are looking for someone who can believably portray Cantinflas at age 16. Aside from the big screen Torres is out to make his mark as a television writer/producer. I have a pilot concept called, The Border. It is in English and focuses on the struggles of an immigration attorney. I am happy with the projects I am doing, he affirms. I love writing and I certainly cant complain about the affirmation I am getting.
--Julio Martinez
www.vip-latino.com

For the next few hours I was treated to an array of surprising goodies from this exotic wellspring of modern communication. The fivepound, one inch-thick black chassis featured an ultra bright 13.39 inch wide-screen display, more-than-passable internal stereo speakers, a built-in video camera, built-in wireless networking and a Mac OSX operating system that easily guided me through a plethora of software options. I was particularly curious about the iMovie video editing and the music-making Garage Band components. Then I spied a separate small remote control devise. After a few clicks the screen display flowed into an interface called Front Row, a facile navigation system that allowed me to move seamlessly from stored music to photos to videos. I was taken aback when the video screen listed Movie Trailers, offering a lengthy list of recently released and soon to be released feature films. I had to smile when I reached Love in the Time of Cholera, based on the novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and starring Spanish actor Javier Bardem. The novel had been my Spanish-speaking fathers favorite piece of literature.

After watching the 90-second trailer with me, my daughter quipped, Grandad would have loved the Mac. She rapidly converted the screen information into Spanish text. I am now a complete convert. The MacBook is my primary computer and I have since added the iPhone and an iPod classic to my communication/entertainment arsenal. The devices have become a synergistic trio, enabling me to download my favorite iTunes Latino music, from classic Tito Puente to contemporary Calle . I now write and dispatch 13. my features, conduct online interviews and conferences, do research, as well as edit photo stills and video clips from my home office or from the road. My career has become completely mobile. I do admit that my secret pleasure was using GarageBand to resurrect my early years as a musician. You should hear my dynamite arrangement of Santanas Black Magic Woman.
--Julio Martinez

Special Supplement from the Publisher of Latin Heat Entertainment January/February 2008 p.88

LatinoWood
T

THE Independent LIFE OF Franc.Reyes

by Bel Hernandez

h ere is no L ati no presence in Holl ywood films, and Latinos dont even know there is a pro bl em, decl ares writer/direct or Franc.Reyes.
In 2002 Reyes independently raised $3.5 million to shoot his first feature, Empire starring John Leguizamo, Delilah Cotto, Nestor Serrano, Sonia Braga & Peter Sarsgaard. The plot revolved around a Wall Street investment banker laundering money for a drug dealer looking to go straight. The film grossed $17.5 million at the box office, putting Reyes on the Hollywood map. However, Hollywood didnt tear his door down to offer him money for his next film. It took Reyes four years to raise the money for Illegal Tender, a story of a mother protecting

Reyes believes to find the answer to this problem we need only look at what has come before us. We had the Italian stereotypes until Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese came along and changed that. They gave us movies that were not so much about Italians, rather more with Italians in them, Reyes passionately explains. Then there was the Black experience. It was Spike Lee and John Singleton who changed the way America views and accepts Blacks in movies. Now its time for the U.S. Latino experience in America. But who is making movies about the U.S. Latino experience? Gregory Nava began his career focusing on the U.S. Latino experience (El Norte, Mi Familia, Selena). However, Selena was 10 years ago. Robert Rodriguezs Spy Kids, about the Cortez family was a good example, but that was back in 2003. The top three Mexican directors Alfonso Cuaron, Alejandro Iarittu and Guillermo del Toro mostly make mainstream films or films about the Latin American Experience, not U.S. Latinos. For Reyes, going independent has meant foregoing the conventional route of obtaining money through the studio system to allow him to tell the stories he feels reflect the American Latino experience in the U.S. Being an independent filmmaker allows the director to have all the control he wants, says Reyes. A Latino director going to a studio to sell his script is stupid. To truly express yourself and tell the stories you want, you need to go independent. If you want to make a commercial movie then thats a different story. However, insists Reyes that does not mean that you make films that only appeal to Latinos.
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her sons from the aftermath of a dead fathers checkered past. The cast includes Rick Gonzalez, Wanda de Jesus, Dania Ramirez and Manny Perez. Immediately after shooting Illegal Tender Reyes re-teamed with John Leguizamo on The Ministers (releasing in 2008). The catalyst for the story is the real life events of

the late 70s, when landlords in the Bronx, N.Y. burned down their own buildings for the insurance money. Leguizamos characters (he plays both twin brothers) are victims of this scam. Events are further exacerbated when NYPD detective, Joe Harvey Keitel), accidentally shoots Bruno (H the twins brother sending them on a revenge rampage, all in the name of God. I see it as a love story, explains Reyes. Very Shakespeariana Greek tragedy, he adds. I dont make movies for Latinos, I make movies with Latinos in them, declares Reyes. His casting of Latinos in lead roles affords them an opportunity Hollywood is still not willing to give them. In this manner Reyes takes his cue from Latino directors that have preceded him. Case in point, Nava catapulted Jennifer Lopez into stardom when he cast her in Selena; Robert Rodriguez cast an unknown Salma Hayek in Desperado, and the rest, as they say, is history. Indeed, looking at what has come before is a cinematic lesson well worth learning.

Special Supplement from the Publisher of Latin Heat Entertainment January/February 2008

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