Cruz Castillo interviews Latina writers Pamela Garcia-Rooney and Jessica Lopez, NHMC Writers Program alumni and recently staffed writers in the upcoming Netflix original series about Selena, executive produced by Moises Zamora. The three discuss Pamela and Jessica's origin stories, what it is like to be a Latina writer, their time in the Writers Program at NHMC, and more. Stay tuned!

Learn all about the Assistant Directors Training Program on this episode of Hollywood Spotlight. Administrator, Lila Mayes tells us all about this amazing opportunity. Each Trainee who satisfactorily completes the program’s requirement is invited to join the Directors Guild of America. Application process opens Tuesday, September 4th.

Lila Mayeswww.twitter.com/amayesingliwww.facebook.com/lila.mayes

Directors Guild of Americawww.facebook.com/directorsguildofamericadga

Program Training Linkwww.trainingplan.org

On today's Hollywood Spotlight, Chicana director, Kayden Phoenix speaks with actor and activist Vannessa Vasquez from East Los High on leaving her family in Houston to pursue her dreams and aspirations. Through her humanitarian work, Vannessa uses her platform to create positive change and movement for diversity.

Ser Anzoategui is a tour de force. From a well-educated background, to a richly performed life, Ser is breaking boundaries left and right. Known for playing Daysi Cantu on Hulu's East Los High, Ser now plays Eddy on Starz's brand new hit show, Vida. Find out more about their work, passion for the craft, and long history of changing the face of industry.

Host Jordan Rubio talks with two writers (Aimee Garcia, actress on Fox's Lucifer and Renier Murillo writer on Netflix's Tijuana) about their experiences with NHMC's popular TV writers program. From Day 1 in the program to finishing a pilot they cover what it is like to be in the room and how their experiences in NHMC's program have prepared them for working in real Hollywood writers rooms.

If you are interested in applying for NHMC's TV writers program you can do so here: www.nhmc.org/writersprogram. The application closes on August 4th, 2018.

Latin Heat Hollywood Spotlight guest, actress Fabiana Pascali is currently playing a role close to her heart. As a real-life fashion designer, she gets to play one in FX's American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace. A mother of two, she also talks about her kids and juggling a growing career.

The strength and determination of Indigenous women is incredible. On this episode of Hollywood Spotlight we are spotlighting Native Women in Film and Television and their upcoming Film Festival. We will also be discussing #WhyWeWearRED - A National Global Campaign initiative that aims to bring awareness to murdered and missing Indigenous women, fighting sexual harassment and assault, and inequality for women in workplaces, including Native Women in Film and Television.

From Motown records to owning her own casting company, Blanca Valdez is specializing in both the English and Spanish markets. Blanca casted film and television projects including “East Los High” and “Pepe and Santo vs. America.” On Hollywood Spotlight, Blanca gives advice on how to get into acting in Hollywood.

Last week the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences announced it’s Oscars nominees for 2018. And guess what…none of this year’s acting nominees is Latino. Why are the Film Studios excluding Latinos, especially American Latinos from the industry? NHMC’s Action Network will hold demonstrations on February 5th & March 3. They are not boycotting the Oscars, but are demonstrating to raise awareness to Oscar attendees which are representatives from the Film Studios.

Brenda Castillo sits downs with nationally recognized civil rights attorney, President & General Counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund Tom Saenz, former Los Angeles County Supervisor and NHMC Action Network member Gloria Molina, and President & CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition Alex Nogales to discuss the chronic underrepresentation of Latinos in on-screen and behind-the-camera roles in motion pictures.

Why are Latina roles so few and characters so sexualized? Where is our Spike Lee? Learn how you can get involved with this movement by listening to Hollywood Spotlight.

Brenda Castillo sits down with Beatriz Acevedo, the president and founding partner of mitú. Mitú is one of the leading content creators in the Latinx game. They're changing the way people view the Latino community with their groundbreaking work. From the power of social media to amazing videos on what it's like to be various Latinx in the U.S., mitú is a definite force to be reckoned with. Learn more about one of the amazing minds behind this game changer as this episode spotlights an amazing business woman.