COOList Hollywood News Update
President Obama takes his Oath for his 2nd term
The word for this week is “Inauguration”. For the first time in history Latinos where front and center at President Obama’s second term inauguration celebrations — in a big way. Whether is was on the dais, where among others sat Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor; poet Richard Blanco who recited a poem he wrote for the special occasion; the Rev. Luis Leon, the Episcopal priest who read the invocation; or in a rare behind the scenes (put very powerful position) role Eva Longoria (Co-chair of Obama’s Inaguration); or as one of the special performers selected to entertain at the galas like Mana and Marc Anthony, the message was undeniable.
Teresa Kumar, Wilmer Valderrama & Rosario Dawson
Moët & Chandon stepped up to help as toast Voto Latino, the non-partisan voter registration organization as they celebrated President Obama’s Inauguration on January 20, 2013. The intimate gathering of high powered D.C. Latinos and Hollywood at the OYA Restaurant. Celebrants included Voto Latino Chair Rosario Dawson, Co-Chair Wilmer Valderrama, Voto Latino President Maria Teresa Kumar, Joe Armstrong (NBCSL), Esther Aguilera (Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute), US Treasurer Rosie Rios, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Musician Shelia E. and Representative Raul Ruiz (D-CA). Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Joe Garcia (D-FL), Labor and Civil Rights Leader Dolores Huerta, Representative Ben Ray Luján (D-NM),
Back to the film world…Congratulations to producer Douglas Spain and Director Bryan Ramirez on their indie film Mission Park being selected as one of the first into the Hispanicize 2013 Film Festival taking place this coming April 9-13 in Miami. The film is about four childhood friends torn apart over time and who end up on both sides of the law: Young FBI Agents Bobby (Jeremy Ray Valdez) and Julian (Will Rothhaar) are forced to infiltrate and take down a drug organization run by the untouchable kingpin Jason (Walter Perez) and his right-hand man Derek (Joseph Julian Soria).
Don’t miss Hispanicize, which is being called the Latino South by Southwest. To find out what the hoopla is about join Latin Heat as we co-host a special Latino Entertainment Networking event on February 6th at The Falls in downtown L.A. But you need to RSVP…check it out HERE
How Many Latinos will take the SAG Award home on Sunday and will you be watching? Louis C.K., Bobby Cannavale & Sofia Vergara each nabbed two SAG Award noms each. Proud Latino Louie C.K. has the most chance to win and he deserves to win…he is funny. He not only writes the show, he produces, directs and is the star of the show…for which he is nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series for Louie.
Here he is on the Conan Show talking about the ignorant woman in Arizona and how she feels about Mexicans.
Pilot News…JJ Abrams and Alfonso Cuaron are in “Pilot Bed” together. The Oscar-nominated Cuaron has received a pilot order from NBC for the project Believe that he wrote with Mark Friedman (Home of the Brave). It’s about a girl with magic powers and the man that is freed from prison to hunt down to protect her from being hunted down and killed. JJ Abrams will produce along with Cuaron, Friedman and Bryan Burk for Warner Bros, with Cuaron directing…but of course. Casting is under way so if you young 10 year old or a Wonder Woman type…get those pictures and resumes ready to go.
Speaking of pilots can’t wait to see John Leguizamo’s ABC pilot http://www.latinheat.com/2012/12/12/john-leguizamo-to-produce-abc-comedy-based-on-his-life/ he has been working on based on his family…
A little extra…
According to writer/comedian Cris Franco, there is a Latino Ballet Dancer Invasion: “Once dominated by Russians defecting from the Soviet Union’s stringent artistic “iron curtain,” Latin America (and the U.S.) is now supplying ballet companies worldwide with a fresh Latino ballet dancers”
Legendary playwright and screenwriter Luis Valdez (La Bamba, Zoot Suit, The Cisco Kid) on the occasion of his play I Don’t Have to Show You No Stinking Badges being produced at Casa 0101 February 8 – March 10th, talks about all the history behind writing the play and the impetus.
That is this week’s COOList Hollywood News Update
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