Crew Bios
Rick Najera, Screenwriter/Actor
Rick Najera is an award-winning writer-actor-director and producer with credits in film, television, theatre and Broadway. Najera is a true pioneer of comedy and an innovator of humor in the U.S. and internationally as well, honored twice by Hispanic Magazine as one of the ‘100 Most Influential Latinos in America’. Most notably, his writing credits include LATINOLOGUES™ on Broadway, his newest comedic stage play Sweet 15, and groundbreaking television comedies such as MAD TV and In Living Color.
On the corporate side, Najera is currently Vice President of Development for LATV, a bilingual television network that launched nationally with Post Newsweek in April 2007, and is responsible for creating new original content to this network. Najera recently created, developed and executive produced three new cutting edge comedies for the LATV network: ‘The Homies Hip-Hop Show’, ‘Ceasar and Chuy’(co-creator), and Mas Comedy, which have already proven themselves to be ratings winners. ‘The Homies Hip-Hop Show’ is a half hour sketch comedy and hip-hop show using the internationally popular two-inch ‘Homies’ figurines, and is the first nationally syndicated Latino stop-motion animation series on LATV. ‘Ceasar and Chuy’ is a half hour series based on two animated characters that provide comedy relief to a host of today’s popular videos. Mas Comedy is a half-hour compilation of Latino stand-up comedians and hilarious comedy sketches.
Najera lends writing and vocal talents to the series and has led efforts in creating a new genre for this network television station.
For the third consecutive year Najera will direct the popular CBS Multicultural Sketch Comedy Talent Showcase, and currently stars in (writes and executive produces) his own comedy ‘BBQ Bill’ on CBS.com’s Innertube. Najera is most notably recognized for his highly successful award-winning play, LATINOLOGUES™ which was recently featured at the 2007 Latino Laugh Festival and ran on Broadway in New York City at the Helen Hayes Theatre for 16 weeks, (137 performances with an extension), a historical achievement for a Latino oriented show. The Broadway version of LATINOLOGUES was directed by Cheech Marin and has toured the country with more than 75 different guest actors performing in the show making it the only showcase of its kind. Najera’s latest comedy, “Sweet 15 – Quinceañera”, which he wrote, created and performs in, is already another theatrical success with standing ovations and sold-out houses. With numerous productions of his work produced at venues across the country, Najera is one of the most produced Latino playwrights in the country.
Najera grew up on the stage and graduated from The American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) and the Warner Bros. Comedy Writing Program. From there, he landed writing assignments such as the groundbreaking comedy sketch show, In Living Color, as well as Robert Townsend Television and Culture Clash for FOX. He moved on to Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and Ponderosa for Pax Television, for which he was nominated for and ALMA Award for Best Writer. He also wrote a comedy special with Whoopi Goldberg that was filmed in San Diego and a telenovela (soap opera) for the Spanish network Televisa, which was filmed in English. In addition, other writing credits include MAD TV, for which he was nominated for two consecutive Writers Guild of America Awards in 2004 and 2003. Najera has written four pilots for the major networks, animated pilots for Disney and for ‘Condorito’ (Latin America’s #1 cartoon) and more. He recently wrote a dramatic screenplay for State Street Productions and a comedy for Panamax Films.
Najera stars in the upcoming film ‘Universal Remote’ written and directed by Gary Hardwick and can also be seen in the upcoming Spanish-language movie ‘Ladron Que Roba A Ladron’ by Panamax Films. Najera co-starred in National Lampoon’s, ‘Pledge This!’ with Paris Hilton and played a lead role in ‘How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer’, screened at the Sundance Film Festival. He also appeared in the feature film ‘A Day Without a Mexican', guest starred on NBC’s West Wing, and was an original cast member on the WB pilot, “The Help” with Tori Spelling. Najera was also a featured actor in the HBO Latino special, ‘Habla’. Najera has appeared in numerous television shows as well.
Najera has authored numerous plays including, Latin’s Anonymous, Peculiar People, A Quiet Love, The Pain of the Macho, Latinologues™, and most recently Sweet 15 - Quinceañera. Three of his plays are compiled into his book, ‘Pain of the Macho’ which is required reading in several universities. His award-winning comedy, Latinologues™ ran on Broadway in New York City and has been featured at Showtime’s Latino Laugh Festival, HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival, at the Big Stinking’ Comedy Fest in Austin and has had successful runs at major theatres across the country including The Bailiwick Theatre in Chicago, South Coast Rep, San Diego REP, Coronet Theatre, Alley Theatre and dozens others which can be found on the latinologues.net website.
Awards and Recognition:
*'ALMA Award' 2009 Special Achievement-Writer of Movie "Nothing Like The Holidays"
*‘Hispanic Pioneer of America’ - Discovery Channel en Español (2006)
*‘Top 10 Celebrities to Watch’, San Diego Latino Film Festival (2006)
*‘Father of the Year’ – Telemundo, Miami (2006)
*‘100 Most Influential Latinos in America’ - HISPANIC Business Magazine (2005 and 1996)
*Writers Guild of America (WGA) Award Nomination, Best Writing in a Comedy / Variety (2004)
*Image Award, Best Live Theatrical Production, LATINOLOGUES™ (2004)
*Writers Guild of America (WGA) Award Nomination, Best Writing in a Comedy / Variety (2003)
*ALMA (American Latino Media Arts) Award Nominee, Best Writer for a Television Drama, ABC
*Nosotros Golden Eagle Award, Best Writer, Latino Laugh Festival for Showtime
*‘50 Most Influential in Hollywood’ - VARIETY
Rick Najera has been featured in publications such as Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Hispanic Magazine, Hispanic Business, Latino Leaders Magazine, Latina Magazine, Bello, Latin Style, Latin Heat, Sister Cities, Hispanic Outlook and on television shows such as A&E’s Breakfast with the Arts, PBS’s Life and Times, NBC’s Hispanics Today, Univision’s Aqui y Ahora, Despierta America, Escandalo TV, Primer Impacto, El Gordo y La Flaca, LATV, Mun2, Perfect Image TV, American Latino among others. During his four month run on Broadway, Rick Najera joined Broadway’s brightest, most influential and well-loved personalities when his caricature was placed on Sardi’s exclusive ‘Wall of Fame’ in midtown Manhattan.
For more information on Rick Najera visit ricknajera.net, myspace.com/ricknajera or contact
Scott Montoya at The Collective at 310-288-8181.
On the corporate side, Najera is currently Vice President of Development for LATV, a bilingual television network that launched nationally with Post Newsweek in April 2007, and is responsible for creating new original content to this network. Najera recently created, developed and executive produced three new cutting edge comedies for the LATV network: ‘The Homies Hip-Hop Show’, ‘Ceasar and Chuy’(co-creator), and Mas Comedy, which have already proven themselves to be ratings winners. ‘The Homies Hip-Hop Show’ is a half hour sketch comedy and hip-hop show using the internationally popular two-inch ‘Homies’ figurines, and is the first nationally syndicated Latino stop-motion animation series on LATV. ‘Ceasar and Chuy’ is a half hour series based on two animated characters that provide comedy relief to a host of today’s popular videos. Mas Comedy is a half-hour compilation of Latino stand-up comedians and hilarious comedy sketches.
Najera lends writing and vocal talents to the series and has led efforts in creating a new genre for this network television station.
For the third consecutive year Najera will direct the popular CBS Multicultural Sketch Comedy Talent Showcase, and currently stars in (writes and executive produces) his own comedy ‘BBQ Bill’ on CBS.com’s Innertube. Najera is most notably recognized for his highly successful award-winning play, LATINOLOGUES™ which was recently featured at the 2007 Latino Laugh Festival and ran on Broadway in New York City at the Helen Hayes Theatre for 16 weeks, (137 performances with an extension), a historical achievement for a Latino oriented show. The Broadway version of LATINOLOGUES was directed by Cheech Marin and has toured the country with more than 75 different guest actors performing in the show making it the only showcase of its kind. Najera’s latest comedy, “Sweet 15 – Quinceañera”, which he wrote, created and performs in, is already another theatrical success with standing ovations and sold-out houses. With numerous productions of his work produced at venues across the country, Najera is one of the most produced Latino playwrights in the country.
Najera grew up on the stage and graduated from The American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) and the Warner Bros. Comedy Writing Program. From there, he landed writing assignments such as the groundbreaking comedy sketch show, In Living Color, as well as Robert Townsend Television and Culture Clash for FOX. He moved on to Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and Ponderosa for Pax Television, for which he was nominated for and ALMA Award for Best Writer. He also wrote a comedy special with Whoopi Goldberg that was filmed in San Diego and a telenovela (soap opera) for the Spanish network Televisa, which was filmed in English. In addition, other writing credits include MAD TV, for which he was nominated for two consecutive Writers Guild of America Awards in 2004 and 2003. Najera has written four pilots for the major networks, animated pilots for Disney and for ‘Condorito’ (Latin America’s #1 cartoon) and more. He recently wrote a dramatic screenplay for State Street Productions and a comedy for Panamax Films.
Najera stars in the upcoming film ‘Universal Remote’ written and directed by Gary Hardwick and can also be seen in the upcoming Spanish-language movie ‘Ladron Que Roba A Ladron’ by Panamax Films. Najera co-starred in National Lampoon’s, ‘Pledge This!’ with Paris Hilton and played a lead role in ‘How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer’, screened at the Sundance Film Festival. He also appeared in the feature film ‘A Day Without a Mexican', guest starred on NBC’s West Wing, and was an original cast member on the WB pilot, “The Help” with Tori Spelling. Najera was also a featured actor in the HBO Latino special, ‘Habla’. Najera has appeared in numerous television shows as well.
Najera has authored numerous plays including, Latin’s Anonymous, Peculiar People, A Quiet Love, The Pain of the Macho, Latinologues™, and most recently Sweet 15 - Quinceañera. Three of his plays are compiled into his book, ‘Pain of the Macho’ which is required reading in several universities. His award-winning comedy, Latinologues™ ran on Broadway in New York City and has been featured at Showtime’s Latino Laugh Festival, HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival, at the Big Stinking’ Comedy Fest in Austin and has had successful runs at major theatres across the country including The Bailiwick Theatre in Chicago, South Coast Rep, San Diego REP, Coronet Theatre, Alley Theatre and dozens others which can be found on the latinologues.net website.
Awards and Recognition:
*'ALMA Award' 2009 Special Achievement-Writer of Movie "Nothing Like The Holidays"
*‘Hispanic Pioneer of America’ - Discovery Channel en Español (2006)
*‘Top 10 Celebrities to Watch’, San Diego Latino Film Festival (2006)
*‘Father of the Year’ – Telemundo, Miami (2006)
*‘100 Most Influential Latinos in America’ - HISPANIC Business Magazine (2005 and 1996)
*Writers Guild of America (WGA) Award Nomination, Best Writing in a Comedy / Variety (2004)
*Image Award, Best Live Theatrical Production, LATINOLOGUES™ (2004)
*Writers Guild of America (WGA) Award Nomination, Best Writing in a Comedy / Variety (2003)
*ALMA (American Latino Media Arts) Award Nominee, Best Writer for a Television Drama, ABC
*Nosotros Golden Eagle Award, Best Writer, Latino Laugh Festival for Showtime
*‘50 Most Influential in Hollywood’ - VARIETY
Rick Najera has been featured in publications such as Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Hispanic Magazine, Hispanic Business, Latino Leaders Magazine, Latina Magazine, Bello, Latin Style, Latin Heat, Sister Cities, Hispanic Outlook and on television shows such as A&E’s Breakfast with the Arts, PBS’s Life and Times, NBC’s Hispanics Today, Univision’s Aqui y Ahora, Despierta America, Escandalo TV, Primer Impacto, El Gordo y La Flaca, LATV, Mun2, Perfect Image TV, American Latino among others. During his four month run on Broadway, Rick Najera joined Broadway’s brightest, most influential and well-loved personalities when his caricature was placed on Sardi’s exclusive ‘Wall of Fame’ in midtown Manhattan.
For more information on Rick Najera visit ricknajera.net, myspace.com/ricknajera or contact
Scott Montoya at The Collective at 310-288-8181.
Marco Antonio Rodriguez, Screenwriter/Actor
Born and raised in New York City, with roots from the Dominican Republic, Marco is a graduate of La Guardia High School For the Performing Arts in NYC and holds a Master’s of Fine Arts degree in acting from Southern Methodist University. He has acted, written, co-produced, and directed such mega hits as Pico de Gallo and the Southwest Premiere of Latinologues (winner of Dallas Observer’s Best of Dallas Award). He has done work as an actor in New York, San Diego, Dallas, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic. Recent credits include “Various Roles” in Dallas Theater Center’s production of 365 Plays/365 Days and “Oberon” in Shakespeare Festival of Dallas’ production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream - The Musical. He has also participated in numerous national commercials for radio and television, most recently a role on Prison Break. As a writer he has done commissioned work for ANTHEM, a national organization that promotes positive family dynamics, and has received acclaim for writing the Dallas hit, Pico de Gallo and Heaven Forbid(s)!, named Outstanding New Play of 2007 by The Dallas/Fort Worth Theatre Critics Forum. After a successful run in Dallas, Heaven Forbid (s)! was invited to perform at the prestigious New York International Fringe Festival where it was received with high praises by Timeout New York magazine and The Edge New York. His short screenplays, Kennedy In A Box and Thicker Than Ink received honorable mention and placed 3rd and 5th in its heat/group at the 2008 NYC Midnight screenwriting competition. Marco recently finished his first full- length play, La Luz De Un Cigarillo (which he also translated into English), and is at work on his first original screenplay. He has also studied Syd Field's Intensive Screenwriting Workshop and Michael Hauge's Screenwriting for Hollywood. For more about Marco, visit his website http://www.marcoantoniorodriguez.com
WHAT CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT MARCO’S WRITING:
SHORT SCREENPLAYS
"Silence"
**Placed 1st in its heat group at the 2008 New York City Midnight International Screenwriting competition.
"The authenticity of the piece is supported by strong dialogue and great detail. This script has some clear emotional impact. A good, dramatic story with very realistic dialogue and characters with depth that can be cared about."
- NYC Midnight Judge
"Kennedy In A Box"
**Placed 3rd in its heat group at the 2008 New York City Midnight International Screenwriting competition.
"Hilarious! A strong narrative relying on clear visuals and colorful, well-developed characters.”
- NYC Midnight Judge
PLAYS
(All produced by Marco and Miranda's Theatre Company Martice Enterprises)
"Heaven Forbid(s)!"
**Winner - Outstanding New Play - Dallas/Fort Worth Critic's Forum Awards
"**** (Four Stars!) A hilarious and irreverent production."
- Stella Tan, Time Out New York
"...Keeps us laughing often enough to make this an effective comedy...a great comedy...poignant and effective."
- Scott Stifler, The Edge New York
"It's genious theater that doesn't rely on splash but on creativity for its boundless energy. Prepare to be wowed."
- Arnold Wayne Jones, The Dallas Voice
"Pico de Gallo: The Return of The Queen"
"Fall down funny...the brightest burst of comedy on any stage this summer!"
- The Dallas Observer
"...The laughs cascade like guppies over Niagara Falls."
-The Dallas Voice
"Pico de Gallo: The Comedy con Spice!"
"Pico de Gallo is a zesty treat... It's refreshingly honest..."
- Tom Sime, The Dallas Morning News
"Pico de Gallo is one spicy show."
- Perry Stewart, The Fort Worth Star Telegram
WHAT CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT MARCO’S WRITING:
SHORT SCREENPLAYS
"Silence"
**Placed 1st in its heat group at the 2008 New York City Midnight International Screenwriting competition.
"The authenticity of the piece is supported by strong dialogue and great detail. This script has some clear emotional impact. A good, dramatic story with very realistic dialogue and characters with depth that can be cared about."
- NYC Midnight Judge
"Kennedy In A Box"
**Placed 3rd in its heat group at the 2008 New York City Midnight International Screenwriting competition.
"Hilarious! A strong narrative relying on clear visuals and colorful, well-developed characters.”
- NYC Midnight Judge
PLAYS
(All produced by Marco and Miranda's Theatre Company Martice Enterprises)
"Heaven Forbid(s)!"
**Winner - Outstanding New Play - Dallas/Fort Worth Critic's Forum Awards
"**** (Four Stars!) A hilarious and irreverent production."
- Stella Tan, Time Out New York
"...Keeps us laughing often enough to make this an effective comedy...a great comedy...poignant and effective."
- Scott Stifler, The Edge New York
"It's genious theater that doesn't rely on splash but on creativity for its boundless energy. Prepare to be wowed."
- Arnold Wayne Jones, The Dallas Voice
"Pico de Gallo: The Return of The Queen"
"Fall down funny...the brightest burst of comedy on any stage this summer!"
- The Dallas Observer
"...The laughs cascade like guppies over Niagara Falls."
-The Dallas Voice
"Pico de Gallo: The Comedy con Spice!"
"Pico de Gallo is a zesty treat... It's refreshingly honest..."
- Tom Sime, The Dallas Morning News
"Pico de Gallo is one spicy show."
- Perry Stewart, The Fort Worth Star Telegram
Carlos Bido, Director/Editor
Carlos Bido's latest project currently in production. See a trailer for his film "No Warning".
Filmography
Carlos migrated to the US from the Dominican Republic in 1990. He studied Filmmaking and graduated at the American Film Institute. Carlos has over 15 years of film production experience including all the technical aspects of writing, producing, directing, and editing. He has produced and directed two major theatrical releases as well as major advertising TV campaigns for companies such as McDonalds, Topochico, Subaru, Nissan, Remax, Presidente, American heart Association, US Airforce, and others. His theatrical work includes:
Theatrical
- Sheol, The Descent - Writer/Producer/Director, 2010 **In Pre-Production**
Starring Juan Fernandez and Steven Bauer
- Illegal Witness - Producer/Director 2002
Theatrical release, 2003, US and Latin America
- Travelers (Viajeros) - Director/Editor 2005
Theatrical release, 2006, US and Latin America
- No Warning (2008-2009)- In production
Visit Carlo Bido's production company website: http://www.acentomedia.com
Carlos migrated to the US from the Dominican Republic in 1990. He studied Filmmaking and graduated at the American Film Institute. Carlos has over 15 years of film production experience including all the technical aspects of writing, producing, directing, and editing. He has produced and directed two major theatrical releases as well as major advertising TV campaigns for companies such as McDonalds, Topochico, Subaru, Nissan, Remax, Presidente, American heart Association, US Airforce, and others. His theatrical work includes:
Theatrical
- Sheol, The Descent - Writer/Producer/Director, 2010 **In Pre-Production**
Starring Juan Fernandez and Steven Bauer
- Illegal Witness - Producer/Director 2002
Theatrical release, 2003, US and Latin America
- Travelers (Viajeros) - Director/Editor 2005
Theatrical release, 2006, US and Latin America
- No Warning (2008-2009)- In production
Visit Carlo Bido's production company website: http://www.acentomedia.com
JL Louie Partida, Line Producer
Known to many industry professionals as Louie Louie, Louie’s focus, his dedication and passion has contributed to the many successful projects endured at Hotel Productions, and production companies from both the West and East Coasts.
"I owe my passion and the love for this business working as chef in fine dining. When I began my career in the entertainment industry, my focus was to make sure every entertainer and crew member ate well. So it was the hospitality industry that provided me with the tools that I integrate today on all my projects, luckily for me I worked with talented known directors and producers."
As an advocate for diversity in commercial and film production, Louie’s dedication goes unnoticed from local filmmakers who constantly express their gratitude for opportunities and production assistance on independent projects.
In January 2000 after loosing his younger brother to AIDS Louie and fellow industry peers launched a 501 C-3 non-profit organization called Grupo Vida Media dedicated in producing awareness campaigns for the Hispanic & GLBT community.
"I owe my passion and the love for this business working as chef in fine dining. When I began my career in the entertainment industry, my focus was to make sure every entertainer and crew member ate well. So it was the hospitality industry that provided me with the tools that I integrate today on all my projects, luckily for me I worked with talented known directors and producers."
As an advocate for diversity in commercial and film production, Louie’s dedication goes unnoticed from local filmmakers who constantly express their gratitude for opportunities and production assistance on independent projects.
In January 2000 after loosing his younger brother to AIDS Louie and fellow industry peers launched a 501 C-3 non-profit organization called Grupo Vida Media dedicated in producing awareness campaigns for the Hispanic & GLBT community.
Toni Miller, Producer
Toni began his career in the entertainment industry working with a well-respected artist manager in Nashville, Tennessee and later as a publicist for MCA Records Nashville. A search for his birth-mother brought him to Dallas, Texas where he co-founded La Luna Entertainment with local filmmaker Israel Luna. Toni produced several award-winning feature-length films with Luna and guided the marketing and licensing of several of the projects leading to international distribution. Toni currently resides in Dallas.
