July 2011

In this issue:

  • NLMC Writers, Write Their Way to Success
  • NLMC Television Writer’s Program
  • In His Own Words, Mark Valdez c/2008
  • TV or Not TV?
  • Jose Luis Sin Censura
  • NHMC’s DC Office Goes from Virtual to Actual
  • The Latest From NHMC’s Blog
  • NHMC’s 9th Annual Local Impact Awards Lucheon
  • NHMC’s 25th Anniversary Video

NLMC Writers, Write Their Way To Success

NHMC has proudly coordinated the NLMC Writers Program for many years now with great success. This success was highlighted this year when eight alumni filled highly competitive spots writing for shows this new season on major networks. Whether it be because of their creativity, the training they received from Geoff Harris, or the "door opening" that takes place at NHMC, they’ve done it and time should be taken to recognize these talented individuals. Congratulations to them for bringing the Latino experience to the writers table and thank you for representing the Latino community. We encourage our readers to check out the shows on these networks that showcase the work of the following talented individuals. Emilia Serrano is a 2008 grad of the NLMC Writers Program. She has since worked on three shows; ABC’s "My Generation", TNT’s "Rizzoli and Isles" and more recently FOX’s "The Finder". Emilia had these thoughts to say about the program: "The program challenged us to create a spec in 5 weeks. From idea to logline to outline. All of these elements are crucial to writing a script on a show. And the 5-week timeline is perfect because it’s very true to life." You can catch "The Finder" coming soon in 2012. Rob Sudduth, class of 2008, received a job writing for ABC’s "Good Christian Belles". Here are his thoughts, "Several weeks ago, I landed a Staff Writer gig on the upcoming ABC show, "Good Christian Belles." So far it’s been an amazing experience and I credit the NHMC program for playing a part in my preparation for this job. A writer’s room is all about pitching. Though the dynamics are much more intense here, the mock

room Geoff set up at NHMC was a great way to get our feet wet. I made connections with executives and landed some pretty cool friends, too."

You can catch "Good Christian Belles" this Fall 2011. Gina Monreal, class of 2008, received a job writing for CBS’ "NCIS".

"The spec I wrote in the NHMC Writers Program not only got me into the NBC and ABC programs — it also helped me get staffed on NCIS. I am so very grateful to Alex Nogales, Geoff Harris, and everyone at the NHMC for believing in me and pushing my career in the right direction."

Watch "NCIS" on Tuesdays at 8:00 PM.  Spiro Skentzos, class of 2009, is writing for NBC’s "Grimm".

"I was staffed on NBC’s new show GRIMM this fall, and getting this job can be traced back to the hard work I did in the NHMC program. The program helped me hone my writing skills and gave me the confidence to know that even if I wasn’t staffed the year I was in the program, that I did have the talent to be staffed, and this year I was. You can’t put a price on that kind of experience."Watch "GRIMM" this fall on Fridays at 9:00PM

Marcos Luevanos, Alumnus of 2008, received a job writing for BET’s "The Game". Catch "The Game", weekdays at 4:00PM and weekends at 8:00AM. Sierra Ornelas, class of 2009, received a job writing for ABC’s "Happy Endings". Watch "Happy Endings"Season Premiere Wednesday, September 28th at 9:30 PM. Silvia Olivas, class of 2009, received a job writing for Disney’s new show "Jessie". Coming soon in 2011. Mark Valadez, class of 2008, received a job writing for TNT’s new show "Perception". Coming soon this Fall 2011. The NLMC Writers Program, coordinated and run by NHMC, is a highly competitive and prestigous 5-week intensive training program. The writers are trained by former NBC V.P of Script Development, Geoff Harris, and are given the opportunity to meet with and be exposed to network executives and personalities. NHMC is now accepting applications until July 29. Please see the article below for more information on the program.

NLMC Television Writer’s Program

The NLMC Television Writers Program submission period is now open for those writers who can write at least one half-hour comedy or one-hour dramatic television script in English within a five-week period of time. The program will take place in Burbank, CA from October 8th to November 11th. Each participant is expected to complete at least one script by the end of the five-week session, which will then be read by network executives. Those writers whose scripts show promise will be interviewed and mentored by the network executives with the goal of placing them on a show. A stipend of $250 per week will be given to each participant. Air travel, housing, and meals will be provided. The NLMC Television Writers Program is an intensive scriptwriters workshop designed to prepare Latino writ ers for jobs at the major television networks, and place the writers in those jobs. This project is modeled after the previously successful Hispanic Film Project. The television scriptwriters workshop is designed to familiarize participants with the format, characters and storyline structure of specific shows that are currently on the air. This five-week, total immersion workshop is mentored and guided by former NBC V.P of Script Development, Geoff Harris. The workshop is conducted in Burbank, CA and a total of 10 writers are recruited nationwide from an established network of NHMC chapters, other non-profit agencies, schools, universities, guilds and media organizations. The goal is that the writers garner the skills necessary to obtain employment in the industry. The NLMC Writers Program was created to further NHMC’s mission to improve the image of American Latinos as portrayed by the media and increase the number of American Latinos employed in all facets of the media industry. The program directly responds to the lack of diverse writers in primetime network TV with the idea that, if there are more diverse writers present at the writer’s table, more diversity will be reflected on TV. For more information please visit https://nhmc.org/writersprogram or email Nilda Muhr at nmuhr@nhmc.org.

In His Own Words, Mark Valadez c/o2008

October 2008 will be etched forever in my mind as the point at which my whole world changed. I had been working in corporate communications for ten years, nursing dreams of someday making a living as a writer. I remember walking the streets of downtown Chicago on my lunch hour the day I go t the call, notifying me that I had made it to the finals in competition for the NHMC TV Writers’ Workshop. A month later, I was in L.A. This is not to say doors just started magically opening, but for me, the Workshop was an important first step in carving a new career path. Learning how to hone my craft was only part of it. The workshop served me well with lessons in networking and industry exposure that I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise. For me, it was a springboard into the ABC-Disney Writing Program and a first staffing assignment on ABC’s "Scrubs." At this writing, I’m a week into my new job as a staff writer on TNT’s "Perception." The journey is ongoing, and it’s hard work, but there’s nothing I’d rather be doing.

TV or Not TV?

By Geoff Harris, Teacher/Mentor of the Writing Workshop geoffOver a cup of coffee, a screenwriter friend of mine told me that he hates TV. I took his bait and asked him why. "I hate TV," he said, "because it’s so well written." I couldn’t agree with him more. TV is well written. Week in and week out, it offers compelling and memorable scripted shows. Look at the cleverly written comedies, such as Modern Family, 30 Rock, and The Big Bang Theory. And on the drama side, there are Breaking Bad, Castle, and Mad Men. A TV series, staffed with terrific writers, comes up with compelling ideas that go from script to screen in a couple of months. And the NHMC intends to prepare Latino writers for the rigors of writing on the staff of a scripted TV series, comedy or drama. Our five-week Writing Workshop is an intense (but fun) program that’s set up like the Writers’ Room. During the Workshop, each of the ten writers who are selected will, under my guidance, write at least one spec script that could be used as a "calling card" to showcase your writing talent. And, perhaps, that polished spec script can ultimately lead to work on a TV show, as it has for some of our graduates. If you or anyone you know loves to write TV scripts and would be interested in our program, sign up for the Workshop. And spread the word. It’s a once in a lifetime experience!

José Luis Sin Censura

Help Put a Stop to Hate Speech, Violence and Obscenity on the Spanish-Language Program "José Luis Sin Censura" As you may know, in February NHMC and GLAAD filed a complaint with the FCC against KRCA – Los Angeles for broadcasting José Luis Sin Censura. Recently, we entered the next phase of our action to combat this obscene and hateful show by meeting with Liberman executives to discuss the show and demand action. Please click here for the full press release. We hope that this effort will put increased pressure on Liberman Broadcasting to clean up its act. However, the FCC needs to also hear from you. Please act now to let the FCC know that you think Spanish-language broadcasters should have to play by the same rules as their English-language counterparts. To take action against this vile program or to learn more about our campaign, please visit www.nhmc.org/joseluissincensura. Check out our blog for all the latest updates!

NHMC’s DC Office Goes from Virtual to Actual

NHMC is proud to announce that on July 5, 2011 their Washington DC office went from virtual to actual. Please mark your address books: 1705 DeSales Street, N.W., 5th Floor Washington, D.C. 20036 The DC office will be staffed by NHMC’s Vice President of Policy and Legal Affairs, Jessica Gonzalez, and Policy Counsel Michael Scurato.

The Latest From NHMC’s Blog

Follow NHMC’s Blog Follow NHMC’s Blog to get the latest updates on the continuous work that is being generated by NHMC’s team. Below are a few recent posts: FCC Takes Aim at "Cramming" and "Spoofing" 07-07-2011 By: Michael J. Scurato NHMC Introduces Nilda Muhr, Our New Progams and Outreach Coordinator 06-30-2011 By: Jessica J. Gonzalez Hear Ye! Hear Ye! What Do You Think About ATT? 06-28-2011 By: Michael J. Scurato Latinos are Changing the Landscape of Television 06-27-2011 By: Fabiola Rivas

NHMC’s 9th Annual Local Impact Awards Luncheon

To find out more about sponsorship opportunities click here.

NHMC’s 25th Anniversary Video

The National Hispanic Media Coalition is a non-partisan, non-profit, media advocacy and civil rights organization established in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. Its mission is to improve the image of American Latinos as portrayed by the media, increase the number of American Latinos employed in all facets of the media and telecommunications industries, and advocate for media and telecommunications policies that benefit Latinos and other people of color.]]>

National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a woman-led 501(c)(3) non-profit civil and human rights organization that was founded to eliminate hate, discrimination, and racism toward the Latino communities.
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