With a career spanning over 30 years in the field of television and film production, Mr. Valdez’s experience includes cinematography, writing, directing as well as all aspects of production, from creative concept through finished product.  As an award-winning short film director/producer/writer, his first short film, “Sin Vergüenza” has shown at several film festivals throughout the US and Mexico.  Educational background includes a BFA with a Cinema emphasis from the University of Arizona and a MFA in Cinematography from The American Film Institute in Los Angeles.  After graduating from AFI, David was hire as 1^st Assistant Director for the Nickelodeon series, Hey Dude. He then directed The Nashville Network (TNN) series, “Exploring America Side by Side” for two seasons. As a Cinematographer by trade, David has shot over 150 regional and local commercials, “The Decoy”, a full-length feature film, and many award-winning short films such as “The Challenge Coin”, an Imagen Award Web Series winner, and “Long Story Short”, presented at the Hungarian Embassy Film Festival. He presents a mature, warm and engaging communication style that facilitates effective, professional working relationships between the client, crew and student interns conducive to a smooth running, high quality production completed on time and within budget.

EDWARD JAMES OLMOS has achieved extraordinary success as an actor, producer and humanitarian. The Tony, Emmy and Academy Award® Nominated actor, is probably best known to young audiences for his work on the SYFY television series “Battlestar Galactica” as Admiral William Adama.  Although the series kept the actor busy during its run from 2003 through 2009, it didn’t stop him from directing the HBO movie “Walkout” in 2007, for which he earned a DGA Nomination in the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television category.

Olmos’ career in entertainment spans over 50 years of working in the business. In that time he created a signature style and aesthetic that he applies to every artist endeavor, often grounding his characters in reality and gravitas. His dedication to his craft has brought him attention across the industry, and with audiences worldwide.

Originally a musician, Olmos branched out into acting, appearing in many small theatre productions until portraying the iconic El Pachuco in “Zoot Suit.”  The play moved to Broadway and Olmos earned a Tony nomination for the role, which he revised in the 1981 film version.

Olmos went on to appear in the films Wolfen, Blade Runner, and the Ballad of Gregorio Cortez before starring in his biggest role to date, that of Lieutenant Martin Castillo in the iconic 80’s television series “Miami Vice” opposite Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas.  During his time on the Michael Mann series, Olmos earned two Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominations, resulting in a win from each.

In 1988, the actor was nominated for an Academy Award® and won the Golden Globe for his portrayal of Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver.  He directed and starred in his first motion picture, American Me, in 1992.

Olmos’ passion for the arts grows every year, but he never forgets to give back to the communities that support him with their dedication and support. He is an international advocate, spokesman, and humanitarian working with organizations such as Thank You Ocean, Project Hope Foundation, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, The Boy’s and Girl’s Club of America, The River Keepers, Dr. Andros’ Diabetic Foot Global Conference and he speaks up to 150 times a year in schools, universities, and corporations.

Other credits as an actor include the motion pictures My Family/Mi Familia; Selena, which was a breakout film for Jennifer Lopez; and In the Time of Butterflies, in which he played Dominican Republic dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo.  In television, he is bringing gravitas to Mayans, M.C., in its second hit season. He enjoyed a recurring role as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Roberto Mendoza in the NBC drama “The West Wing,” portrayed a widowed father in the PBS drama American Family: Journey of Dreams, and “Dexter.” He recently Directed the YouTube phenomena “The Short Film BP Doesn’t Want You To See,” featured on Larry King/CNN.

Enrique Castillo is an award-winning actor/writer/director and author whose work spans theater, television and film. He is an Imagen Award recipient for his writing/directing. He is well known for Showtime’s television series Weeds where he played the lethal Cesar. Enrique is most recognized for his film role of Montana in Taylor Hackford’s Blood In Blood Out where he played the inspirational (albeit terrifying) leader of the Mexican prison gang. When the film was released, The New York Times singled out Mr. Castillo’s performance in their review. In Japan a film critic said of his performance as Montana “He plays the role with the wisdom of Torquemada and the strength of a Sandinista warrior.” He began his career with Luis Valdez’s El Teatro Campesino in 1969. As part of the Teatro, Enrique participated in workshops with renowned English director Peter Brook’s theater company that included now Academy Award winner Helen Mirren. In the early 70’s Enrique traveled with the Teatro to Paris where they represented the U.S. at the World Theater Festival. 

Enrique made his television debut in 1969 performing Los Vendidos with El Teatro Campesino on NBC. In 1978 Enrique made the move to Hollywood and was cast in the hit play Zoot Suit, also created and directed by Luis Valdez, where he played the lead role opposite Edward James Olmos. Since then, he has appeared in over 50 television shows and feature films. His first feature film was acting opposite Charles Bronson in Borderline. Since then he has worked with such notable film directors as Tony Scott, (Déjà Vu) Taylor Hackford, (Blood In-Blood Out) Stephen Frears (The Hi-Lo Country) Wim Wenders (The End of Violence) Gregory Nava (My Family and El Norte) Oliver Stone (Nixon) and Tim Bur- ton (Mars Attacks) Miguel Arteta (Beatriz at Dinner) Starring Salma Hayek. In the mid 90’s Enrique adapted, starred and directed the award-winning play The Last Angry Brown Hat, written by Alfredo Ramos that toured to rave reviews for over four years. He then wrote and directed Veteranos: A Legacy of Valor, a theater piece honoring the military contributions by Latinos in America’s defense that had two national tours to standing ovations and much critical acclaim. Veteranos was awarded a special recognition by the Hispanic Congressional Caucus and received the prestigious Imagen Award for Best Live Theatrical Production in Los Angeles, CA. Enrique has written various screenplays including Yo Solo (I Alone), The Cobra, Valley of The Dead, Deerdancer and the screen version of The Last Angry Brown Hat. Enrique’s debut novel, The Dead of Summer is a suspense thriller/crime drama that takes place in the US/Mexico.

RICHARD “RIMO” MORENO
Senior video / film Editor (Online & Offline), Producer , Manager, Music Supervisor, Rimo Productions, Tao Music & Post / Tao Creative /Tao 3DS and a current Entrepreneur of various technology environmental and social media platforms.
An award winning producer /editor from numerous Theatrical marketing campaigns to full feature documentaries and films.

Over 25 years of experience in all aspects of creative, audio/video post-production while cutting motion picture trailers, television spots, music videos and domestic & international home video campaigns. He has been have been involved with numerous successful marketing campaigns for many notable studios and their films.

Credits in Motion Picture Advertising include numerous titles for such studios as Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, Universal Pictures, New Line Cinema, MGM, Miramax, Lions Gate Entertainment, Paramount, and Disney.
Credits paired with such Networks as ABC, NBC, FOX, The WB, Lifetime Television, MTV, award winning HBO and Showtime.
Produced and edited the Award winning feature-length documentary “BEISBOL. Yesterday ,Today and Tomorrow” about the impact of Latinos in Major League Baseball.

Partnered with Tao Music and Post offering a full post production audio studio as well as a talent representation and promotion umbrella that facilitates marketing, production, and development for music artists, along with a state-of-the-art music and post-production studio. We are currently involved with numerous artists from Rock, Rock en Espanol, English/Latin Hip-Hop, R&B, Latin Jazz, R&B and World and spiritual music. Tao Music & Post has the support of many well-known power music producers, musicians & actors.

A past President of Optimist International, past member of NALIP (National Association Latino Independent Producers) and has served as Vice President of a non-profit organization, L.E.M.I. (Latino Entertainment Media Institute) in Los Angeles founded in 1997 to provide through various educational means the knowledge necessary for Latinos and others to gain access to the entertainment media and communications industry in the U.S. and the international market place. He was also a past president of Optimist International, working with youth programs for a more positive lifestyle.

Author, scriptwriter, poet, publisher and award-winning filmmaker, Tina Huerta, began winning awards for her creativity and organization skills in high school. A long time ago! Tina has three books of poetry and one children’s book published to date. Tina also has a small publishing house and their last book, From Saigon to Katum: Two Exchanges of War, is a double-memoir from two courageous men originally from two different cultures and their experiences before, during, and after the Viet Nam American War.

Her filmmaking awards availed her the positions of Festival Ambassador in 2013 and 2014, as well as a member of the Selection Committee in 2015 for her Tucson, Arizona hometown Arizona International Film Festival (AzIFF). Tina’s background also includes radio, television, commercials, and music videos. She also runs the gambit between comedy, drama, and fantasy. Tina is one of the writers for Ugly Little Monkeys, a documentary feature, currently in post-production.

Karina Noelle Castillo is an actor, producer, director and entrepreneur from Los Angeles, CA with 18 years of hands on experience in film/ television and theatre production, and a decade of creative direction, graphic design, and social media management. Her film and television acting credits include NCIS, The Good Doctor, Grey’s Anatomy, L.A.’s Finest, Better Things, and Promised Land as well as feature films Holidays and Missing, the highly anticipated sequel to independent smash hit Searching starring John Cho.

Karina is the recipient of the Mexican-American Cultural Education Foundation (MACEF) Filmmaker Production Grant and was a Second Rounder in ScreenCraft Film Fund Grant. She was chosen to be a part of the inaugural MACEF Film Masterclass taught by Moctesuma Esparza and Jesus Trevino.

Karina is the co-founder and CEO of Courtyard Entertainment, LLC, a production company that specializes in narrative films and acting services.

Thelma Don Gutiérrez is a documentarian who honed her craft as an interviewer, researcher and writer over a 25-year career as journalist. A self-described “news gypsy,” Gutiérrez worked for PBS, ABC, NBC and CBS affiliates and retired from CNN after a 25-year career covering social issues. The recipient of numerous journalism awards, Gutiérrez was Senior Producer on Reasonable Doubt, a homicide reality series on the ID Investigation Discovery Network. She is currently working for the United States Census Bureau as a liaison for nonprofit organizations. Gutiérrez earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Arts and Communications from the University of Arizona and a Master’s Degree in Social Entrepreneurship from Pepperdine University. A native of Tucson, Arizona, Gutiérrez is currently based in Los Angeles where she works on passion projects. Her most current is Ugly Little Monkeys – The True Story of Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson.