Today we’d like to introduce you to Diego Lanao.
Hi Diego, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
As a young kid, I started off thinking that I was going to be a doctor – like my father. I soon realized you needed good grades to be a doctor, so I switched to something that wouldn’t require people to ask for my GPA 24/7. Music became an amazing home for a while as I shifted my focus towards being a professional violinist and musical composer. I don’t come from an artistic family, so it was tough to come home after my music lessons and attempt to continue learning on my own. Meanwhile, movies and television remained a constant in my life. I loved watching anything and everything with my family, friends, by myself – it was like magic to me. Writing was always something I was passionate about and the more I learned about movies, the more I learned about the process of creating a script from scratch. So, I would Google, read, and write as much as I could during my free time. I’ve been writing for the past 15 years of my life and I’m just now starting to get the hang of it. It’s only been possible through the encouragement and support of so many amazing people who were patient enough to walk me through the do’s and don’ts of the creative journey. I’m now proud to add directing and acting to my resumé and I’m excited to just keep learning everything I can within the arts.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the things that every artist will say, no matter what point they are in their career, is how difficult the creative journey can be. It took me a long time to be able to find a supportive community, let alone a group of friends who were willing to talk about the making of a film, rather than just the film itself. I would be the loner who would attend a variety of film panels, plays, and workshops by myself – just to try to learn and meet other artists. The number of “no’s” and “no replies” to my invitations to grab coffee or talk writing is too high to even estimate a number. This road can be 100 times harder and lonelier if you attempt to do it by yourself. That being said, once you find your home and group of peers – it makes all the time spent looking for them worth it. To have a team that’s there to listen to my random writing pitches or help make a film project is a true gift that allows me to keep moving forward in such an ever-changing industry.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m passionate about creating diverse stories for diverse voices that are led by diverse creatives. I try my hardest to push past pre-defined stereotypes that have been assigned towards certain communities by developing narratives for people to simply exist in. I have had certain individuals question my work and ask why the lead characters need to be a certain ethnicity, if they’re not acknowledging their specific culture or background. I simply say, “Everyone has a dream. Everyone has a family. Everyone falls in love. Everyone makes friends. Everyone experiences heartbreak. And they simply do it because it’s everyone’s way of living.” I’m proud to be part of several amazing organizations who align themselves with this mission statement. I’m proud to have been able to help expand my community by making connections between several creatives who are now collaborating and creating art together. I’m proud to be a Latino filmmaker and actor who wants to continue seeking the next story to share with the world.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I’m always all about shouting out the amazing organizations and communities that have helped me get to where I’m at today! So, the best way to support me is to definitely continue advocating and supporting these awesome groups by following and donating to their missions:
– Nosotros: @nosotrosorg
– Nalip: @nalip_org
– The Black List: @theblcklst
– Latin Tracking Board: @latintb
– Untitled Latinx Project: @untitledlatinxproject
– National Hispanic media coalition: @nhmc_org
– Newfilmmakers Los Angeles: @nfmla
– Starz #takethelead: @starztakethelead
– Latinx Playwrights Circle: @latinxplaywrightscircle
– Teatro Chelsea: @teatrochelsea
– The Barrow Group Performing Arts: @thebarrowgroup
– The Sol Project: @solprojectnyc
– Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA: @estlosangeles
– South Texas College Theatre: @stctheatre
– Amt Theater: @amttheater45
– Stages Theatre: @stageshouston
Contact Info:
- Website: http://diegolanao5.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dlanao5/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diego.lanaoe/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-lanao-344498121/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lanao_diego
Image Credits
Jared Treviño
Oscar Moreno
