Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruben “Baby Horchata” Ramirez.
Hi Ruben “Baby Horchata”, 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?
I began like majority of actors, I was doing background for the first year or so before landing my first lead role. I always made it a point to network with artists as you never know who you will meet. I was doing all of this while living in a small town in central Illinois driving 3+ hours back and forth for shoots and auditions before I made the leap to move to Chicagoland to make my commute 100% easier. I then began my Stand-Up comedian career by making my 1st appearance on stage with 606 Mania #1 with B-Side Studios. I go by the stage name Baby Horchata which has been its own entity. I have been featured on the Chispa Dating App Instagram for including their app in my set, performed on the Michael Colyar Morning Show, performed at the Laugh Factory and many other venues around Illinois and Indiana.
With having a comedic background and brand, people get very surprised when I act as I tend to play bad guy/ villain roles. I am represented by Hayes Talent Agency in Chicago and they keep me busy with auditions. But as time goes and “NO” becomes the norm, something has to trigger your inner creative. You have to quick waiting on opportunities and start CREATING them. So my brother Mario Canon and I created Starpower Film Company. Him and I have been on a similar journey and he already had his own platform with his own Music Label so giving me the tools to have that platform and creating a new one was an easy transition as Starpower The Elites already had their own wave. That is where I took in directing and made it one of my main squeezes. I was inspired by Chicago Director Rhyan LaMarr while on set of his feature film Canal Street. I made one suggestion and he looked at me and said “Yeah! Do that! Okay…I SEE YOU DIRECTOR!”…All it took was that. That is why I remind people on how powerful words can be.
Fast forward to today, I have assisted Rhyan on some of his music video sets to act and cast their projects which has been a huge learning experience that I have brought to my own projects and others when I get hired to cast or direct. He recently casted me for a role in his newest feature film “North Of the 10” that stars King Bach, Don Benjamin, George Lopez, Jaleel White, Laroyce Hawkins, Wes Armstrong and many more! I took a lot from that set, and as time went I began to grow as the director I needed to be. Starpower Film Company has won five awards from film festivals and has given many artists their first gigs. Our next release is set for February 2022 where we will be premiering our feature “BLACK” starring Empire FOX’s and Starpower’s own Mario Canon. We shot all of the film at vault309 and was shot by Dan Johnson who wrote the script as well. If you take anything from this interview, it is that you treat people good and respect their time. Mario has been a huge blessing to me and I thank you for giving me my directorial debut on his music video with Chicago rapper Montana of 300 which later got me the gig to direct his music video with Chicago legend TWISTA. His assistance has helped me in each skill set that I have and I promise to be that person for someone else in the future.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I was sleeping in a friend’s living room during my first year of pursuing acting. I genuinely laugh at that period of time because I have no idea how I pulled off that period of time with having to drive, pay gas and all the rest of my bills. I was very broke but so focused on making my dream work. I struggled even more when I made the move from there as everything was more expensive. I would have to donate plasma to pay for my phone bill at times and to even eat. I was also misguided by a talent agency who took my money for “classes” and overpriced bad “headshots”. I thank them for teaching me heartbreak at such a young stage as now I am able to help peers detect red flags as well. Living in Central Illinois is a huge challenge that not many people speak about as there is not many outlets there for an artist to truly grow. All that has changed over time as now there are multiple soundstages and studios that assist on that matter but were not a thing when I began. My goal was to make sure others didn’t have to go through that. Another thing is that distance. Three plus hours to be background and sometimes being on set for 16 hours (EMPIRE) and then me having to troop it back without falling asleep. I am 26 years old but my circle is full of veterans that teach me things they wish they had known at my age. So it helps a ton with regular life as well, even during my times of struggle, I am forever grateful for it as it taught me a lot.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Starpower Film Company is a sister company to Starpower The Elites, a music label that was created by Mario Canon. We are both actors that wanted to create a platform for others and us to succeed. We shoot music videos, short films, features and much more! We have the ability to direct other people’s projects, write storylines and scripts, and even cast! Our mission is to bring our passions to others and create opportunities for others that may not have the resources. We have been fortunate to have jobs that look for actors of BIPOC community as they tend to have it the hardest to land gigs. We take casting serious as we make sure to feel as if we are casting our own projects and we take pride in that. Diversity is key in visuals as seeing the same face and characteristics get boring so we make sure to keep our roster with fresh new talent at all times. I even do background for the big shows just so I can find new talent. We also sponsor a contest with indidb studios every month where people submit a short script for a chance at a cash prize and to bring their scene to life! Anyone from anywhere in the world can submit a script 🙂
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can go to my social medias to support 🙂
Contact Info:
- Email: Starpowerfilmco@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starpowerfilmcompany/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starpowerfilmco
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/babyhorchata
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV39ZdjB2-ioqImwGTz_Xcg
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/babyhorchataelcomediante/
Image Credits:
Photos done by Average Panda, El CompaJV The group shot is Starpower The Elites
