Daily Inspiration: Meet Alexandra Barreto

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Barreto.

Hi Alexandra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I first came to Los Angeles after college to become an actor. I was in my twenties and there was a big push for more diversity in casting, especially Latinos. Within a year I was cast on a show called “Resurrection Blvd,” one of the first all Latin casts on Showtime. After that, I continued to work consistently recurring or guest starring on television shows but I never had that big break I had hoped for so I started looking to work behind the camera.

The first short film I produced happened accidentally when the producer I was shadowing backed out two weeks before production. In hindsight, it was the best way to learn – by getting thrown into the fire. Once I survived that, I decided to write a short of my own to act in and produce. Each project after that, I would try to challenge myself with bigger budgets, and more complicated stories.

I produced about six short films before I produced my first feature film TOO LATE starring John Hawkes and the late Robert Forster alongside my current producing partner, Taylor Feltner. It was an ambitious project consisting of five, twenty minute oners shot on 35 mm.

After that film, Taylor and I started our production company We’re Doin’ Great and we produced the feature film LATE BLOOMERS starring Karen Gillan which premiered at SXSW Film Festival and was distributed by Vertical.

The documentary I recently produced DOC MEETS WORLD just had it’s World Premiere at Tribeca Festival and I will be independently distributing it starting with a 15 city theatrical tour in January.

In between producing, I have continued to act including a five year recurring role on the hit show THE FOSTERS, as well as recurring roles on FX’s THE MAYANS and CW’s ALL AMERICAN.

I’ve also started directing. My first short film I wrote and directed premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Festival. I wrote and directed a segment in Shudder’s SCARE PACKAGE 2: RAD CHAD’S REVENGE, and directed the Audible Series CUT AND RUN starring Sam Richardson, Rachel Bloom and Meg Ryan. I wrote and will be directing my first feature film in the fall.

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?
It definitely was not a smooth road. I think I got lucky in the beginning by getting my first job so quickly but there were lots of ups and downs after that.

As far as acting, I was fired from the first pilot I booked as a series regular. It was heart breaking at the time, but it honestly just taught me perseverance. I probably cried for a week, and then I had to just jump back in. And to this day, I don’t think any disappointment has felt as bad as that, so it’s given me a thicker skin and the confidence to take more chances because I know I’ll survive.

Independent Filmmaking always comes with it’s challenges. There are a million things that can go wrong and do. I’ve lost money weeks before filming, I’ve lost cast days before filming, I’ve had to re-write a scene days before filming because we realized our lead actor didn’t drive! These are not really unique stories. As an indie filmmaker, it’s just part of the job. You can’t let those misses, challenges and obstacles get you down. Even the most successful of filmmakers have stories to tell.

But my biggest obstacles were the barriers I put in my own way. In my early years on set as an actor, I watched female directors struggle. Not because they didn’t know what they were doing but because they weren’t immediately given the respect that their male counterparts received. The crew would pounce on them if they hesitated for a second. It scared me. It made me think I couldn’t and never should do it. Luckily things have changed a bit, and maybe it was just age, but I realized I had just as much experience and knowledge as any other person out there. I still have things to learn, but everyone has to start somewhere.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an actor, producer, writer and director, which I guess in simpler terms makes me a filmmaker.

If I were to pick one thing I was known for, it would be acting in THE FOSTERS. The show ended years ago but I still have about one person a day recognize me out in public. I loved being on that show and am proud of the work I did on it.

As a filmmaker, I specialize in creating meaningful content with a clear point of view and commercial appeal, whether it’s a dark thriller or an over the top horror/comedy.

Being a true multi-hyphenate sets me apart from others because I have the ability to see the whole picture of every project. When I’m producing or directing, I know how the actor feels and what they need to do their best work. When I’m directing, I know what is involved in production and how to help save money or make things easier on crew. As an actor, I know there are a million decisions outside of my control that have nothing to do with me. Writing helps me develop scripts as a producer. All jobs use very different parts of my brain, but all the skills support each aspect.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
This is such a great question. The entertainment industry at times has been accused of being cut throat and everyone being out for themselves. Yes, that is exists, but I’ve mostly experienced the opposite.

I’ve been lucky enough to be a Film Independent, IFP and Sundance Institute Creative Producing Fellow alongside my producing partner, Taylor Feltner. These are amazing organizations that support independent filmmakers and their projects. All three helped with our feature film LATE BLOOMERS providing mentorship, and access to funding. And then Film Independent has stepped up again to help with our upcoming project THE UMBRA through their Film Independent Fast Track program, and my documentary DOC MEETS WORLD by providing a venue and access to fellow filmmakers for a Los Angeles screening. There are programs that you have to apply to but there are also resources available through membership.

Independent filmmaking is all about taking risks, and I wouldn’t have been able to continue taking risks without the support of my husband, Rider Strong. He’s the first person to hear an idea, read a script, or give notes or advice on any project. And he bears the weight of single parenting when I’ve had to leave on location for three months at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.weredoingreat.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barretoalex/
• Other: https://www.docmeetsworldfilm.com/

Image Credits
Cathryn Farnsworth Photography