Published: December 29, 2009 4:27 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
JC Interview Exclusive (Celebrity Interview with a Rising Actor/Producer) (January 2010 Edition) Miguel Angel Caballero
Miguel Angel Caballero
What is most inspiring about this next actor/producer is that Miguel Angel Caballero is carving his own destiny in Hollywood and refusing to take on common stereotypical Latino roles. In my conversation with the rising actor/producer, Caballero explains why starting Cinetico Productions, LLC along with Luis Lopez Aldana and Alberto Barboza was important for him as an actor and producer. He can now produce and star in films and other projects that feature Latinos in a positive manner. Caballero also has a deep love for Theatre and in this interview the entertainer expounds on why being in front of the stage is such a rush for him. Want to learn more? Check out this super chic spotlight with actor/producer Miguel Angel Caballero.
Isaac: Mr. Caballero, thanks for taking the time to complete an interview with our Webzine. We have been watching you in several projects and wanted to make sure that we could interview you when the opportunity came up. What originally drew you to want to pursue a career in film, stage, and television?
Miguel: I had a fascination with performing since I was a child. My father had an old run down theater in Mexico where he would screen movies. I remember staring at the screen and wishing one day I would be on the big screen. I didn't really get involved as much until High School. After that, I was really involved in plays and drama classes.
Isaac: You have starred in some great stage plays in your career so far. Elaborate on what draws you to want to perform in front of a live audience.
Miguel: Being backstage before going in front of a live audience is the best rush you can have. It is a high that is completely unexplainable. Before going on, I always have the infamous butterflies. Once I set foot on stage, I loose track of time and space and become the character for an hour and a half. It is exhilarating.
Isaac: I read in your bio online that you were a member of the Latino Theater Company Laboratory from 2003-2005 where this afforded you the opportunity to land a lead role in the award winning play, Melancholia. Describe your experience with working on both the play and with Latino Theater Company Laboratory.
Miguel: The play was conceived and written as a collective by us, The Latino Theater Company Laboratory. We all collaborated under the guidance of Jose Luis Valenzuela and created scenes each week based on the story outline that we had. The best scene from the group was eventually used to begin forming the structure of the play. Within a year an a half we had a full length play. The play was about a Soldier who came back from Iraq and was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It was a very powerful piece. The piece itself ended up going to the Edinberg festival. I wasn't able to make it because of other conflicts. We are all very proud of the work we did.
Isaac: You are a founding member of Cinetico Productions, LLC. Expound on this production company and how important was it for you to get this project completed.
Miguel: Cinetico Productions was founded by three of us: Luis Lopez Aldana, Alberto Barboza and I. The company came from a need to produce and greenlight our own work. To be honest, as an actor, I was fed up going to auditions where I was the gardner, the gangster or they asked me to put on an accent because I was Latino. It was really frustrating and talking to my peers really inspired me to create my own work. The company has been around for three years now.
We have three shorts under out belt (two which aired on the Showtime Network). We are currently working on our feature film "On The Run" which stars Alex Meraz from Twilight The New Moon as my best friend. It initially started as a short but once it was shot, the director saw the potential of it being a feature. He wrote and adapted the short into a feature.
Miguel Angel Caballero
Isaac: You received your BA in theater from the UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television. How working towards your education at UCLA help you professionally in your opinion? What were some immediate benefits you witnessed after completing your education?
Miguel: The UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television definitely helped me out with my craft. I decided to take time off from the industry when I was accepted in the Theater program in order to take advantage of the program to the fullest.
Isaac: how important is it for you to give back to your community and why?
Miguel: Giving back to the community is a central aspect of the mission of our company, Cinetico Productions. One program we have implemented is a mentoring program. The program consists of offering a group of high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to "shadow" key members of the film production (actors, director, producers etc.) during the shooting of the film. Each production member explains his/her role during the filmmaking process.
Isaac: What is the biggest joy about being an actor?
Miguel: Being involved in an innovative project that has the capacity to impact people positively.
Miguel Angel Caballero
Photo by Pat Mateos
Isaac: What would you consider to be the ultimate role for you as an actor to play?
Miguel: I really have a tendency to like darker characters. It's not easy for me but I like the challenge.
Isaac: Which format do you prefer to perform in stage, film, or television? And why?
Miguel: I really like the entire process of theater. From rehearsals, getting to know your cast mates and really having the opportunity to dive deep into the character you are playing. And being in front of an audience is just thrilling.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one director, who would it be and why?
Miguel: I'm a big fan of Michel Gondry's work. I think he's a great director. He brings an element to everything he does that is genuine and heartfelt, I would love the opportunity to work with him as an actor...or produce one of his films.
Isaac: What are some up and coming projects that you are working on currently?
Miguel: Currently I am producing and starring in the film "On The Run". It's a love story about two Chicano artists in Los Angles. After that, we plan to go into production for the film Wide Awake which I will be serving as writer/ producer/ actor. This film I am co-writing with my producing partner Luis Aldana who will star in the film.
Isaac: In ten years, you will…
Miguel: In ten years my company, Cinetico Productions, will have the capacity and staff to create 5 quality films a year.
