By Mina Briseño
In a letter of support by 27 Latino Leaders released this morning the leaders advocate for the support of the striking Latino creatives stating “… we are confronted with this pivotal moment across the media industry; a double strike that will have a significantly disproportionate impact on artists from underrepresented communities.”
The strikes of both the Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Writers Guild of America come at a crucial time for Latino creatives. The momentum gained by talent, show runners and writers in the past year, as we were beginning to see more shows and films created and starring Latinos, is now at a dead halt.
Case in point, Creator/Showrunner Gloria Calderon Kellett (One Day at a Time) squeezed in the premiere of her Amazon romantic comedy With Love and the premiere of her new Amazon show The Horror of Dolores Roach just prior to the WGA and actors strike. All promotion that was going to be done by her or the talent involved in these show came to a halting stop. This happened during a crucial time, when these shows needed to be promoting to gain viewership.
Chris Estrada’s second season of This Fool, which premiered on Hulu at beginning of the SAG/Aftra strike meant all promotional interviews had to be cancelled and the show premiered with little or no promotion.
As the letter states:
“We were particularly optimistic about this summer. We were approaching a critical turning point for Latino representation as we saw the return of some of our favorite shows and characters, the launch of exciting new series, and prepared for a groundbreaking moment on the big screen – the first superhero movie directed, written, and starring Latinos [Blue Beetle]. We were hopeful that our long overdue cultural moment had finally arrived.”
Since the actors for Blue Beetle are not able to promote the film, due to guild/union rules, it is being left up to the director, Angel Manuel Soto (whose strike was settled over a month ago) to do the heavy lifting, and now it seems community leaders and the community as a whole encourage the audience to support.
One such effort is FREE community screening that Latin Heat and the Hispanic Coalition of Small Businesses and The Latino Slant have organized for August 18, at the AMC Town Center Theater in Burbank. This screening is funded by the presenting organization with a focus on bringing in students who can see themselves represented.
“For the sake of current and future generations of Latinos, we will not delay our progress any longer. We invite you to join us in our effort to amplify the work that countless Latino artists have worked so hard to create. It’s important that we show up for them at a time when they are not able to promote their projects,” the letter release this morning states
The letter is supportive of the striking creatives, and Latino creatives in particular.
“Actors and writers deserve a deal that protects their work and livelihoods, so we will continue to support them as they fight for better treatment and fair compensation. And since we represent a rapidly growing demographic with tremendous influence over the global cultural landscape, we also remain dedicated to recognizing and celebrating their artistic excellence and its invaluable role in reflecting our community and culture on screen.“
For the sake of current and future generations of Latinos, we will not delay our progress any longer. We invite you to join us in our effort to amplify the work that countless Latino artists have worked so hard to create. It’s important that we show up for them at a time when they are not able to promote their projects.
Our stories are universal and need to be told. Together, we must continue to advocate for a more equitable and inclusive industry, one that respects and honors our storytellers and stories. .
TO READ THE FULL LETTER CLICK HERE
There is also a “movement of support” . You or your organization can help Blue Beetle meet the expectations of being the biggest Latino box office superhero hit by buying out a theater or a block of tickets CLICK HERE.