Today we’d like to introduce you to Berenice Molina.
Berenice, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Two years ago I worked for a gang intervention program as a case manager with my clients being predominantly formerly incarcerated or some still transitioning from a rough past, and on my free time I advocated for incarcerated youth. Being a former gang member myself and growing up within the rough inner city streets I wanted to give back to the community I took and destroyed for so long. I began my journey as a case manager and with the many connections I made within the community I had one of the “Homies” reach out one day and told me this casting person from “Hollywood’ wanted homies for a show. I told him I would speak to her briefly since our goal was also to provide employment for these individuals I took it as an opportunity to expose my clients to a different world. I started with sending seven guys on set, and after that day the demand was so high that casting background became my full-time job.
I moved forward in leaving my 9-5 and decided to pursue casting in the entertainment world, which at the time I had no clue what I was getting into. I started booking more and more guys (authentic street individuals) and as I observed the many lives that were impacted with an opportunity like this, I felt the need and desire to want to do this every day, so I began looking into how to open up my casting agency but an agency that provided opportunity for those who have not been seen or heard due to stereotypes and judgments. Two years later we have expanded from 7 guys to 250 on roster. My goal and vision is to be able to create roles besides the typical stereotypes (inmate, prisoner, janitor, nanny, etc). We are talented individuals who can also have and execute roles such as doctors, lawyers, CEO, and even cops. We have many stories people pay us to share and take so much interest in our lifestyles but then again wont cast our own people to act out these same roles. Its time Hollywood brings the Under, Represented, Artist (URA) to the big screen.
Has it been a smooth road?
This road has been a bumpy road. The challenges I have had to encounter individually have been the basic challenges you face when you come across someone as myself (Chicana FEMALE from the hood).The doubts, the put downs, the frowns, the rejections, the laughs of disbelief (because of the population I choose to represent) etc.. Never the less those challenges I take and use as motivation and transmit that to the team whom also faces similar or same challenges anywhere from being judged, to being laughed at (due to their dreams) or even put down comments. Challenges come with any movement or anything that stands for a change. Therefore we are prepared and continue to stay ready for any negative or challenging moments since we are accustomed to people not believing in individuals like us, except we don’t react to that as we would in the past, because even though we are doubted CHANGE IS POSSIBLE and we are proof of that and will continue to tear down any obstacles placed in our path. We are Resilient, We are survivors and we don’t give up.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the URA.Casting story. Tell us more about the business.
I am owner and founder of URA.Casting (from the streets to the set). I cast talent for upcoming projects, casting REAL people and RAW talent is what I’m good at. I have served as a consultant on set as well to make the project authentic as well. I also entered the world of management and scriptwriting. I specialize in building and networking within the entertainment world that are willing to cast and provide opportunity to the talented individuals I serve. I am most proud of all the accomplishments we have had in a short period of time. We have casted well-known shows (Mayans, 9-11, SWAT, Goliath, Glow, etc.) Movies (Peppermint, The Cleansing Hour) Short films (R&R, Kilroy Movie, & Homeboy Script) and several photoshoots and music videos. ALL that work has been executed with no issues on set, no disagreements, no problem or conflicts.
The biggest reason this brings me PRIDE is because I manage over 200+ individuals who at one point were probably trying to kill each other on the streets and now they have formed a bond and a BROTHER-Hood on set that has made several of them want to leave that mindset behind and better themselves so their families can be proud of their accomplishments. My casting agency is also set apart from the rest because we also provide scholarships for acting lasses to those whom show their dedication and transformation with time, and have taken an initiative to mentor and lead the newcomers, and we also provide healing resources for our team and anyone who signs up with us because I believe its essential to be a better version of y0urself while getting into character since there may be several traumatic events that can trigger something while playing a certain role. So it is essential ALL our clients are mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually fit.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
My vision is to be known not only in L.A or California but also nationwide, and even internationally. We currently expanded and created a team out in Chicago therefore expanding even more and letting our presence be seen, felt, and heard. Becoming the most on demand and requested casting agency for the future of Chicanos and the Hispanic world is the Goal. Training and promoting further industry knowledge for the team is also a plan so we can not only be ready as background or lead actors, but also create our own content, and become and expose those talented writers, producers, directors, and photographers we are yet to discover within each and everyone of us. In hopes with other Hispanic, African American, Asian, (any Under represented group) help to promote awareness of our existence I believe we will achieve that Goal.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 2132684146
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: from_the_streets_to_the_set
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/from-the-streets-to-the-set
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