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Meet José René Bolaños of Project Lotus Productions

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Today we’d like to introduce you to José René Bolaños.

Thanks for sharing your story with us José. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey started when I was born and raised in the Southwest Side of Chicago. Growing up I always had a passion for the arts. I started drawing my favorite cartoons like “Scooby-Doo”, Disney characters like “Aladdin” and even Homies Dolls, they were those 50 cent mini dolls you get from the machines at the Super Mall or Swap Meet. As I entered high school, I enrolled in the Arts Major Program at Curie Metro High School. During my time at Curie, I gained skills in painting and drawing, but I wanted to take it a step further. While I was deciding what college I wanted to attend and what I wanted to do as a career, I knew for sure I didn’t want the regular 9-5 job where I wasn’t happy. I already was working full-time throughout my four years of college in retail. One thing for sure was that I loved movies! I started collecting DVDs and VHS since I was a kid and I would always reenact scenes of movies, being the actor and director.

So my senior year, I decided to take my skills and implement them in another medium, Filmmaking. I applied to Columbia College Chicago for the Directing Program and I got accepted. Throughout my fours year at Columbia I developed my filmmaking and writing skills and gained a set of friendships that will last a lifetime. Graduating four years later with my Bachelor’s Degree in Cinema Arts & Sciences, I decided to make a move to Los Angeles a week after graduating. I also got accepted into a Directing Program through Columbia College that took place in Los Angeles. After completing the Directing Program, I decided to stay in Los Angeles to pursue my dreams of becoming a director/writer/producer. Five years later, I’m still in Los Angeles. It has been one of the best but definitely the hardest journeys in my life and it still continues.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been a bumpy road for sure. If everything was given to you in life with no bumps on the road, then what’s the point. You want to be able to come across these obstacles/challenges so you can learn and grow from them. During my five years in Los Angeles, trying to find a job in the entertainment industry was one of the biggest challenges I had to overcome. There are so many other people in this city that have the same dream as you so you have to work 10 times as hard, especially being Latino. We actually have to work 20 times as hard to get noticed. You will also find yourself where people will be envious of you and try to throw you down while you are rising to the top, but you can’t let that affect you.

Learning to accept rejection is key in this business and has definitely been part of my struggle as a filmmaker but you just have to keep pushing. After so many no’s, you will get that one yes, that will change your life forever. I still get rejection letters and honestly, it’s ok. But the main thing is that you have to pick yourself up and try again. Having that attitude will you get to complete your goals and make your dreams a reality. If no opportunities are coming to you, then make your own, that’s what I did.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
Project Lotus Productions is a company that strives for never giving up on your dreams. PLP writes narrative stories that revolve around social issues in the community and the world.

As a writer and producer, my goal is to bring people of color in front and behind the camera for every production. During College, I was the student that stood out because my stories were too “complex” or just “non-relatable”. But that didn’t stop me, it encouraged me to write more, which eventually led to creating Project Lotus Productions. I’m a writer, director and producer for my company. As an independent filmmaker, we have to wear a lot of hats to make the company flow right, it’s difficult at times, but with the right rhythm, anything is possible.

I have written, directed and produced four short films while living in Los Angeles,   “Flor”, Starring Rufino Rommero, Lilian Tapia,Erick Rodriguez, Rosa Barajas Ramos, Lorenzo Alberto & Tomas Rubio, “Straight Up”, Starring Erick Rodriguez, “Juana”, starring Jennifer Bravo, Laura Casanova, Carlos Padilla Jr., & Marcy Murillo. And my most recent short film that will be released December 2020 titled “Your Name Matters”, Starring Mikki Andrea & Ronald Gonzales-Trujillo, all available on my website.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My family and friends had definitely played a huge role in my career. They have always supported me with my dream. During College, my house was the main location for shooting my short films. I even had some of my elementary school friends to act on them. Friendships that I have developed have also turned into teammates. Finding that team that you can trust and work together and creating  film is a huge factor.

I have found my team, and they deserve so much credit for the talent they have brought to my productions. Laura Espinoza, the Executive Producer for my short films “Flor”, “Juana” & “Your Name Matters”, truly has gone above and beyond to make sure the production is running smoothly, a true trailblazer. These are the people you need on your team because If I didn’t have the support from them, I most definitely wouldn’t be where I am at today. Their love and passion has gotten me through rejection and has been with me through celebration, what more can you ask for.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Jonathan Samaniego
Laura Rivas

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