Filam Creative: Voices

Director's note: This ep was filmed/recorded last year.  

FilAm Creative, AKA FAC is not just the acronym that proceeds our Voices podcast, we are an entertainment collective that advocates for the advancement and greater representation of Filipino-Americans and all who are looking for a collaborative space. Ever wonder what to do when you first get to LA? What to do when you decide to enter the entertainment industry? When it's time to follow your dreams to stardom?! Hear the stories FAC members who are writers, directors, actors, cinematographers telling their success stories, and get inspired to start on your own journey.

Michele Josue wanted to tell the story of the tragic loss of someone very close to her - Matt Shepard. In 2013 she didn't just re-tell the story of his murder, but told the story of his life, as no one was telling it, from the perspective of those who knew him best. Check out "Matt Shepard Is A Friend Of Mine" and then check out Michele's new documentary on Netflix - Happy Jail!

Bagyo joins Arlyn and Walter and talks about his amazing story of being a US Marine, Rapper, his work with Veterans, and his battle with cancer. An inspirational story you don't want to miss!

Hold on to your hats, claws, wands and swords! FAC: Voices is LIVE at the Long Beach Comic Con Expo! Emmy Award winning VFX artist Mark AJ Nazal comes back to chat about being Fil-Ams in comics, TV, and film, along with first time Voices guest, Filmmaker Patricio Genelsa. Join Walter and Arlyn and the LBCC audience while we make our FilAm Voices heard! Bonus: Voices takes questions from the a audience for the first time ever!

Not your typical Voices episode! Hosts Arlyn Dela Pena and Walter Talens go from interviewers to interviewees! With special guest host, Arnold Basingat, take a look back on season 1, get to know the hosts, and find out what's in store for season 2!

Last episode of Season 1 of Voices and it's a good one!  We sit down with Film, TV, Videogame music composer Jonathan Wandag.  Insightful, entertaining, and hilarious, Jonathan explains how he got into composing and more! Thanks to the cast and crew. Walter Talens Arlyn Dela Pena Roni Canieso Wynston Fernando Lance Huerla Rodney Cajudo Arnold Basingat Mark Tecson

A very special interview with HiFi Kitchen's chef/owner Justin Foronda! After filling up on vegan la'ing, Filipino spaghetti, and more...Walter and Arlyn chat with Justin about his road from Bboy, RN, to opening up his own restaurant to help fortify the roots of the community. Become a backer and help HiFi Kitchen reach their goals! Donate today https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/hi...

In this latest episode, Arlyn De La Pena and Walter Talens are joined by filmmaker Patrick Epino.  Patrick discusses his latest acting role in the independent movie "Bitter Melon", his work as part of National Film Society, and so much more.  

Today on Voices, if you haven’t heard of him, you’re about to. He’s a dancer, choreographer, actor, and one of the members of the Mickey Mouse Club, currently known as “Club Mickey Mouse” Gabe De Guzman is here talking with Arlyn and Walter about dancing for Bruno Mars & Missy Elliot, choreographing all over the world, and being part of a very talented and very diverse Club Mickey Mouse.

In this latest episode of Voices, Arlyn and Walter are joined by actress, producer, writer, filmmaker Rain Valdez.  Rain talks about how she got her start in Hollywood, the challenges of being a trans actress, and her big break on Amazon Studios Transparent. 

Happy New Year! New Year, new eps!  This marks our first episode of the final batch of episodes for Season 1.  Arlyn and Walter are joined by Joy Regullano, Allyn Pintal, and Erich Tamola the team behind hit comedy Improv and Sketch show Filipino AF.  Lots of laughs were had!

In this special episode, Arlyn and Walter sit down with the executive director of the Pilipino Workers Center, Aqui Soriano Versoza. The Pilipino Worker’s Center, also known as the PWC, has been an amazing sponsor for Voices and our parent organization, Filam Creative; allowing us a space to shoot this podcast and hold so many of Filam Creative’s events. For this week, we show our thanks, by providing a platform for Aqui to tell her own personal journey as well as PWC’s. It’s an inspiring story and we are so happy to be a part of their mission. Filam Creative and Voices team are so proud of the advocacy that they do for the rights of workers in the community. Learn how Aqui went from being a child actor in "Troop Beverly Hills" to becoming Executive Director of Pilipino Workers Center.  

This week, a different kind of representation, and a champion for mental health de-stigmatization: filmmaker, Youtuber Rachel Leyco joins Voices! Along with hosts Walter and Arlyn, they tackle mental health and its place (or absence) in the Asian American community, and how telling the story through film is the best tool for understanding an the age old universal issues.  

This week, Voice’s Hosts Arlyn and Walter sit down with accountant turned Masterchef season 9 contestant Ralph Xavier Degala! This self-proclaimed Houston “Trillipino” talks with us about his place in the Filipino food movement, Youtube controversies, and family sacrifice. Grab a San Miguel beer and some pulutan (bar snacks), to curb your inevitable cravings— this episode is heavy on food talk. 

Emmy-winning VFX artist Mark Nazal gets nostalgic with hosts Walter and Arlyn on this week’s episode of FAC: “Voices”. From animating fireballs in his childhood bedroom, watching obscure Filipino films that only Arlyn has heard about, to leading award-winning VFX teams; Mark talks teamwork, growing up in three different countries, and how you watch more VFX than you realize.  

Tim Cruz joins FAC voices to talk about his start in the film business. From his early days doing wedding videos to make ends meet, To directing feature films. Tim Cruz opens up about dealing with personal tragedies and starting over. Join us for an inspiring, informative and entertaining talk!

From MTV dancer, to producer, to badass female entrepreneur , and mover and shaker in Hollywood, Mia Cortez knows what she wants and knows how to get it done. Walter and Arlyn sit down with Mia and they have a fun time discussing Mia's journey, advice on how to get things done, and how she manages her personal and professional life.

Comedian JR De Guzman, joins Walter and Arlyn to talk about how he got his start, his road from NBC to Netflix, how he handles hecklers, his ambition to be a Filipino Childish Gambino, and how the phrase "What's your 5 year plan?" helped him with the ladies.

In our latest pod, Walter and Arlyn are joined by director, actress, filmmaker, Aina Dumlao.  She talks about her independent film "Diwa", her roles on shows like MacGyver, Ballers, and how she's using art to tell important stories about societal issues affecting people today.

FAC: Voices welcomes “a man from Marvel...” Anthony Francisco! The Marvel Studios Senior Visual Development Concept Artist (yes, thats his full title!) brings his art and his insight to the Voices podcast. Together with hosts Walter and Arlyn, they discuss everything from the path to becoming a concept artist to getting inspiration from nightmares and ghost stories told by Titos (Uncles). Those of you watching this episode, will get to see some of Anthony’s early concepts of Marvel favorites such as creatures from the Guardians of The Galaxy, Black Panther’s Dora Milaje, and Baby Groot.  

LAAPFF is over, but we spent more time with some LAAPFF filmmakers. Maritte Go, HBO's APA Visionary winner with her film "Remittance". Melanie Ramos talks about her film "Limboland" , and Jon Jon Augustavo talks about his film "Just a Kid from Seattle". This megapod is chock full of great insight from up and coming filmmakers, their lives, the challenges of making it in Hollywood, and how their cultural identities help shape their voice.

This week, we have a megapodcast with artists whose films made it into the 2018 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.  Director Alexandra Cuerdo and producer Rey Cuerdo of "ULAM: Main Dish" documentary about Filipino food.  Jeremy Sistoso, director/writer/actor of "Fakepino" a short film that explores the complexities of being half Filipino and half Caucasian.  Cath Gulick, the director of "The Fever and the Fret" a feature film with a majority Filipino American cast. The movie is about a troubled young woman. We learn about the films, their unique perspectives, and the process of filmmaking in the jam packed megapodcast episode! To learn more about the films, visit festival.vconline.org  

On this week's episode, Arlyn and Walter sit down with Mary Grant, aka Mary Grant the Filipina, whose viral Youtube hits have been viewed millions of times.  Mary talks about her unique upbringing, how she started on Youtube, and how she is building relationships within the local entertainment community.  Fun times had by all!  

On this week's episode of FILAM CREATIVE: VOICES, Arlyn and Walter are joined by special guest Filipino American A.J. Calomay of Xylophone films, Producer of "Lumpia 2" and assistant editor of "Mr. Robot" (previously "DC's Legends of Tomorrow," "Supergirl" and "Covert Affairs"), editor of Filipino American film "Lumpia" and part of the editorial team for "The Flip Side" and "The Debut") .  A.J. talks about his start in the entertainment field, how he found his personal mission, his talent for being a connector, and the myriad of projects he's a part of.  Projects that include Voices crew's favorite show Mr. Robot!  

FAC: Voices hosts, Walter and Arlyn sit down with Director of Diversity at NBC Universal, Grace Borrero Moss.  Grace talks about how she was inspired to persue a carreer in entertainment, her pride of being Filipino American, being a Hollywood executive and a mother, the diversity movement in Hollywood, and what she does at NBC Universal to help push representation in Hollywood forward.

Debut episode of Filam Creative's Voices podcast!  Hosts Walter Talens and Arlyn De La Pena are joined by KIIS FM radio personality, actor, musician, and overall entertainer Manny Streetz.  Manny talks about how he got his start in radio, how being an entertainer is part of Filipino culture, and the myriad of projects he's involved with.