In this Edition of NHMC at Work:
Are you an aspiring television writer? Do you want to hone your scriptwriting skills? Do you want to lend your diverse voice and experiences to a network writing room? Would you like the opportunity to meet and work with other writers as well as network with key individuals working in the entertainment industry? If so, then the NHMC TV Writers Program is right for you!
How it Works:
The NHMC television writers program focuses on the writing of an original TV pilot conducted in an environment that simulates a TV writers room. The five-week, total immersion, paid workshop is guided by former NBC V.P. of Script Development, Geoff Harris and is conducted in Studio City, California. A total of 10 writers are accepted nationwide from an established network of non-profit agencies, guilds and media organizations. The goal is for writers to develop the skills necessary to obtain employment in the industry.
Since its inception, the program has graduated 150 writers - 35% of whom have been staffed on shows at networks such as ABC, Amazon, BET, CBS, CW, Disney, Fox, HBO, Hulu, NBC, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Showtime, Starz and VH1.
On April 18th, NHMC held a Television Writers Program alumni gathering at the NBC Universal lot. Moderated by NHMC's Jordan Rubio, alumni Sierra Ornelas (Superstore, Happy Endings) and Chris Encell (The Good Place), spoke to the alumni and current program participants about their experience as writers in the writers room, as well as providing advice for how to navigate the industry.
Thank you to all of our NHMC TV Writers Program alumni and participants for attending the gathering and we hope to see you all at the next one!
Commissioner Mignon Clyburn's Departure From the Federal Communications Commission Is a Huge Loss to Latinos and All Americans
On April 17, 2018, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn announced that she will be soon be stepping down from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). NHMC released the following statement from Alex Nogales, president & CEO:
"During her time at the FCC, Commissioner Clyburn has always protected the interests of Latinos and other marginalized communities. She has listened to our communities and used her position to fight for our access to open and affordable communications. Her steadfast championing of Net Neutrality, Lifeline and prison phone rate reform will be a shining and lasting example of what it is to be a true public servant."
NHMC recognized Commissioner Clyburn in 2011 at its 2nd annual Washington, D.C. Impact Awards Reception for her Outstanding Commitment to Serving the Public Interest.
NHMC Supports California's Strong Net Neutrality Bill SB 822
On April 9, 2018, NHMC President & CEO Alex Nogales sent a letter to Senator Scott Wiener in support of California's Net Neutrality Act, Senate Bill (SB) 822. The letter states that "Net Neutrality is essential to preserving the Internet as an open platform where Latinos can foster entrepreneurship, engage in authentic storytelling, and promote civic engagement without gatekeepers standing in the way."
Additionally, on April 11, 2018, NHMC joined 40 organizations who agree that bright-line Net Neutrality rules help ensure an open Internet for consumers. As stated in the letter led by Consumer Union, states are both wise and well within their authority to enact measures that the FCC repealed. In accordance with the 2015 Open Internet Order, the legislation would prevent Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from blocking, slowing down or speeding up websites, apps, and classes of apps.
NHMC reiterated its support for the Bill in a letter on April 18, 2018 to the Senate Judiciary Chair, after California SB 822 advanced to the Judiciary Committee for review on April 24, 2018.
NHMC Joins Over 300 Civil Rights, Faith, and Labor Leaders to Demand Oversight on Census Citizenship Question
On April 12, 2018, NHMC joined over 300 civil rights, faith, and labor groups calling on Congress to hold oversight hearings on Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross's decision to include a new citizenship question on the 2020 Census. The signatories say that adding the untested question would jeopardize the accuracy of the census count in all communities for the next 10 years.
NHMC Joins Over 60 Civil and Human Rights Groups in a Letter Stating that Sentencing Fixes Must Be Included in Prison Reform
On April 13, 2018, the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) joined the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union, and 61 other groups in a letter sent to the House Judiciary Committee, expressing opposition to any efforts to pass prison reform legislation without addressing discriminatory sentencing provisions. The groups urged Congress to continue to support comprehensive reform and raised substantive concerns with the Prison Reform and Redemption Act (H.R. 3356).
NHMC and Free Press Call for Better FCC Disaster Recovery and Preparedness in Puerto Rico
On April 17, 2018, NHMC and Free Press filed joint comments with the FCC calling on the agency to increase efforts to help Puerto Rico fully recover from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which devastated the island's communication infrastructure over six months ago. The filing included specific recommendations to the FCC to ensure that the people of Puerto Rico have access to more resilient communications before the start of the next hurricane season. To read the full filing, click here.
NHMC Presents at the Social Justice & Technology Symposium
On April 17, 2018, students and advocates gathered for a symposium on Social Justice and Technology in Boulder, Colorado. Francella Ochillo, Director of Government & Legal Affairs for NHMC, spoke on a panel with Harold Feld (Public Knowledge), Dee Davis (Center for Rural Strategies), and Tony Neal-Graves (Colorado's Broadband Office). Francella highlighted NHMC's work on Net Neutrality, Lifeline, and Immigrant surveillance and explained why all Americans have a stake in keeping marginalized communities connected. Other panelists expanded on why state governments and local municipalities must find innovative ways to stay connected as they are often better equipped to address local needs.
NHMC Presents at Net Inclusion 2018
On April 18, 2018, Carmen Scurato, Vice President of Policy and General Counsel for NHMC presented at Net Inclusion 2018 held in Cleveland, Ohio. This conference brings together "practitioners, advocates, academics, Internet service providers, and policymakers to discuss: local, state and federal policies and policy innovations impacting digital equity; sources of financial and programmatic support of digital inclusion programs; and digital inclusion best practices from across the country." Carmen was on a panel discussing the FCC's policies regarding the current status of Net Neutrality as well as the FCC's proposals to fundamentally alter the scope and purpose of the Lifeline program. Other panelists included Dana Floberg (Free Press), Chris Lewis (Public Knowledge), and Olivia Wein (National Consumer Law Center). The discussion was moderated by Mozilla Fellow, Amina Fazlullah.
NHMC Continues to Oppose the FCC's Efforts to Raise the National Media Ownership Cap
On April 18, 2018, NHMC joined the United Church of Christ, OC Inc., Common Cause, and Public Knowledge in reply comments drafted by attorneys at Georgetown's Institute for Public Representation opposing proposals to raise or eliminate the 39% national cap for broadcast television stations.
Current law prohibits a commercial broadcaster's reach from exceeding 39% of American households. Despite suggestions otherwise, only Congress has the authority to raise the ownership cap. Moreover, the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) decision to reinstate the obsolete UHF discount, which allows broadcasters to discount the calculation of its audience reach, did not serve the public's interest.
NBCUniversal's Writers on the Verge application period is now open! Submissions are due by May 31, 2018. For the application and information, visit: http://www.nbcunitips.com/writers-on-the-verge/ NHMC was invited to the Los Angeles premiere of the brand new series Vida by STARZ. The show tells the story of Latina sisters who return back home to Boyle Heights, following the death of their mother, only to learn of a major secret their mother was keeping from them.
The show has made amazing strides for Latinos in the television industry, with their cast and all-Latino writers room. Read more about the writers in the Vulture feature Inside TV's First All-Latinx Writers' Room.
Vida premiered on May 6th and airs on Sunday nights on Starz.
On April 25th, the NHMC team took part in Denim Day, an annual event that asks participants to "wear jeans with a purpose, support survivors, and educate yourself and others about sexual assault."
According to the website, this year's Denim Day had 11,718,953 participants. To learn more, click here.
NHMC's Alex Nogales and Brenda Castillo attended The Craft of the Director: Guillermo del Toro "Fables and Parables," hosted by the DGA's Latino Committee and Special Projects Committee, for a conversation with the Oscar award-winning director.
The Shape of Water director spoke to the audience about directing, writing, casting, and more. In a recap from the event by DGA, del Toro is quoted as saying, "Movies are an audio-visual experience. Some of the most sacred, intimate moments we have with movies are moments that are not possible to put in words."
To read more about the evening, click here.
By Culture Clash: Ric Salinas & Herbert Sigüenza with new material by Richard Montoya Directed by Diane Rodriguez Twenty years after their searing hit Bordertown premiered, LA's very own Culture Clash returns to the southern border to investigate the state of affairs once again. Re-imagined, remixed and fully reloaded, Bordertown Now is an irreverent look at the people at the center of one of America's most hot-button controversial issues, and the walls that divide us all.
Infused with their trademark comedic approach, the nation's premier Chicano/Latino performance trio joins Obie Award-winning director Diane Rodriguez to redefine the boundaries of theater and break down the divisions between cultures.
Coming to the Pasadena Playhouse May 30th to June 24th. For information, click here.
April Podcasts
Click through the titles below to hear the podcast episodes that premiered during April: Curly Velazquez of Buzzfeed's Pero Like stopped by the NHMC office to record for an episode of Millennials Meet World with host Cruz Castillo. Stay tuned for the interview!
NHMC's Alex Nogales and Brenda Castillo attended the Annual Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction, held at the Universal City Hilton on April 30th.
According to the East West Players' website, "The Visionary Awards laud the achievements of individuals who have raised the visibility of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community through their craft. Proceeds from the gala will benefit East West Players' educational and artistic programs."
To learn more about the East West Players, visit: www.eastwestplayers.org.
Join the Culture Marketing Council for the premier marketing conference of the year!
Taking place June 4-6 at the glamorous Loews Hotel in Los Angeles, the conference will cover topics including:
Speakers include C-suite leaders from: Domino's, Target, Nestle, Intuit, AutoZone, Comcast, Pepsi, Coffee-mate, Sprint, Verizon, NFL and more!
Please use the discount code CMCLAGROUPS at check out to get $500 off.
For more information, click here.
Visit www.nhmc.org/writersprogram for more information and to apply.
Submission deadline is August 5, 2018.
NHMC Television Writers Program Alumni Gather at NBC Universal for a Q&A with Sierra Ornelas and Chris Encell
D.C. Policy Update
NBCUniversal's Writers on the Verge
Starz's Vida Premieres
Denim Day
The Craft of the Director: Guillermo del Toro "Fables and Parables"
Culture Clash's Bordertown Now
NHMC's LPFM Radio Station & Podcasts
With new episodes weekly, NHMC's LPFM radio broadcasts, and podcasts, aim to be a resource to the community as a provider of cultural, entertainment, and political news affecting the local and national American Latino community.
Tune in LIVE from 5 AM - 9 AM on 101.5 FM in Pasadena, CA or by visiting www.nhmc.org for streaming capabilities.
You can also find our latest podcasts on the NHMC SoundCloud page by clicking here.
East West Players' Annual Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction
2018 CMC Annual Conference
