Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Omar Mora.
Born and raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Omar Mora first turned to a career in medicine, studying to become a doctor in his homeland as well as in Mexico. He then moved to New York City for his medical residency. It was after witnessing the tragedy of September 11th that he decided life was too short not to do everything he wanted, so he decided to pursue his dream of acting. While a resident in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in New York, Mora enrolled as a student in the two-year acting program at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. After finishing both, he moved to Los Angeles to continue both careers. Since relocating, Mora has been building a solid résumé in the independent film world.
In 2012, Mora added writing to his career ambitions. His desire and passion to have audiences know his stories fueled him to write several feature film scripts and, in 2013, he wrote his first literary novel, Ancient Explorers: The Lost City of Peru, which is based on one of his film scripts and is available on Amazon.com
Mora’s current goal is to develop his scripts into feature films through his production company, Moras Productions, Inc. The company’s first short film, A Busy Mind, was distributed by PBS in 2014, and its first feature film, 30 Days with My Brother had a theatrical release (limited) through AMC Theaters across the nation.
The movie got release as well on cable VOD (Time Warner Cable) and online VOD release in 2016. Mora became the first Puerto Rican producer to obtain a film distributed at AMC Theaters through AMC Independent. Moras Productions is also in full production of a comic book called The Unearthians and is expecting release in 2018.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not a smooth road.
Most of the challenges has been economically. Getting the medical practice started in 2007, one year before the big economic recession happened, was hard. A lot of people lost their medical insurances, so it was hard to build the practice. But I kept going and eventually the practice grew. We still facing a lot of unknowns in regards of the medical system. And the insurances don’t know what’s going to happen in the future with the new administration. Many people are suffering because of this in regards of approval medications and needed tests. But for me the most important are the patients. So no matter what happen, I will always take good care of my patients.
In regards of the film production company, it’s been a hard road too. I love to write and to tell stories. Bringing my scripts into the big screen it’s been a challenge as most of financier wants to work with studios. It’s really hard for independent filmmakers. But I find other ways to get my stories out there through other medias as comic books, books and micro-budget films. I started with a micro-budget film called 30 Days with My Brother, that was released in theaters (Limited to seven cities) last year and I’m planning to shoot another micr0-budget film next year. With a good quality of film and hopefully recovering the investment of those films, studios and financier can notice my work so I can do my bigger budget movies. I love Sci-Fi and most of my scripts are Sci-Fi, So the challenge of financing those movies are difficult. But I will not quit, I love what I do and I will find the way.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Medical Practice: Dr. Omar Mora is a physician who specializes in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He completed an ACGME-accredited residency at Saint Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center in Manhattan, New York. He has experience in Sports Medicine, and has been a sports medicine physician for high profile events such as the New York Marathon, and the New York Triathlon. Dr. Mora is also trained in pain management, which comprises a comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and personalized treatment that includes myofascial release, trigger point injections, Botox chemo denervation (for pain or spasticity), intra-articular joint injections, assistive devices, such as brace or artificial limb, medications, and referrals to physical therapy, occupational therapy and interventional pain management. He is also trained in performing Electrodiagnostic (EMG/NCV) Studies for nerve injury evaluation. In addition, Dr. Mora specializes in evaluating and treating stroke patients, personal injuries, work-related injuries, arthritis, low back pain, neck pain, and neuropathic pain.
Dr. Mora believes in the philosophy of using a multidisciplinary treatment approach. Furthermore, if the patient does not have an emergent need for surgery, he adapts a step-wise treatment algorithm that begins with conservative treatments prior to more invasive therapeutic options. With his multidisciplinary approach, he often utilizes a network of evaluations from acupuncturists, chiropractors, neurologists, psychiatrists, rheumatologists, interventional pain management, orthopedic and neurosurgeons, amongst others.
Dr. Mora’s multidisciplinary treatment approach has proven to help regain and maximize patient’s physical functions, alleviate acute and or chronic pain originating from injury or degenerative conditions, and most important, helping patients to better understand their illness, thus improving the patient’s ability to manage and take control of their health.
Moras Productions: I’m a writer, producer and actor. His desire and passion to have audiences know his stories fueled him to write several feature film scripts and, in 2013, he wrote his first literary novel, Ancient Explorers: The Lost City of Peru, which is based on one of his film scripts and is available on Amazon.com.
Mora’s current goal is to develop his scripts into feature films through his production company, Moras Productions, Inc. The company’s first short film, A Busy Mind, was distributed by PBS in 2014, and its first feature film, 30 Days with My Brother had a theatrical release (limited) through AMC Theaters across the nation. The movie got release as well on cable VOD (Time Warner Cable) and online VOD release in 2016. Mora became the first Puerto Rican producer to obtain a film distributed at AMC Theaters through AMC Independent. Moras Productions is also in full production of a comic book called The Unearthians and is expecting release in 2018.
I’m a go-getter and I don’t wait for opportunities to come. I make my opportunities happen. I’m creating opportunities for myself. I want to live my dreams and the only person that can make it happen is myself, no matter the circumstances.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My Mom and Dad. They give me an education in Puerto Rico. They give me the mental tools to be strong and go through difficult moments and succeed. They gave me the ethics and by example, they teach me to work. To work hard and smart and always believe in yourself. And that one day I can help others with the same drive and aspirations.
Contact Info:
- Address: Medical and Production Companies address is 6221 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 405. Los Angeles, CA 90048
- Website: https://www.morasproductions.com/
- Phone: 310-373-4879
- Email: MorasProductionsStaff@gmail.com
- Instagram: @omarmoraactor
- Facebook: @omarmoraactor
- Twitter: @omarmoraactor
- Other: http://omarmoramd.com/
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