MEET THE FILMMAKERSLEON LOZANO -- WRITER/DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
An Oakland, California native, Leon Lozano began writing spec screenplays and teleplays at the age of thirteen. His work was first recognized by New York’s Marvel Comics, who Lozano collaborated with to create an anti-violence comic book titled, SPIDERMAN STOP THE VIOLENCE. The book was part of a nationwide campaign to promote an anti-violence message in public schools located in neighborhoods where violence was prevalent. Born and raised in such a neighborhood himself, Lozano discovered that he could use his art to give voice to the powerful stories of the human experience.
Lozano earned his MFA at the University of Southern California - School of Cinematic Arts. At USC Lozano wrote and directed his multi-award winning thesis film, THE SLOWDOWN, which was broadcast nationally on the Showtime Cable Network in 2004. Lozano made the film under the tutelage of his mentors George Tilman Jr. and Robert Teitel, creators of the BARBER SHOP series, MEN OF HONOR, ROLL BOUNCE, and SOUL FOOD.
In 2005 the success of THE SLOWDOWN landed Lozano his next job, co-directing WALKING ON SUNSHINE. The film was produced as part of an AIDS awareness campaign put on by the Black Entertainment Television cable network. WALKING ON SUNSHINE, was broadcast nationally by BET on world AIDS day and went on to receive a nomination for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series, or Dramatic Special.
In 2007 Lozano wrote, directed, and executive-produced his first feature length film, SOMETHING IS KILLING TATE. The film hit the festival circuit in February of 2008 and has already won multiple awards and nominations for BEST FILM, BEST DRAMA, BEST ACTOR, BEST DIRECTOR, and AUDIENCE CHOICE, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Arizona, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, and Dallas. The film is set to play at future festivals in Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Detroit, North Carolina, Martha’s Vineyard, and Minnesota.
Lozano recently wrote the feature length screenplay, OBITUARY COLUMN, based on the novel written by Dan Farris and Sandra Farris. Lozano is currently preparing to travel to Africa to participate in the South African Film Marketplace, an honor awarded by the San Francisco Black Film Festival.
JESSICA L. FUNCHES --PRODUCER
An Indianapolis, Indiana native, Jessica L. Funches began her career in the entertainment industry at the age of seven. Her first paid acting job was with the Indiana Repertory Theatre in the seasonal production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens. She continued performing in various community and school productions until high school. She directed her first one-act play in 1988 at Warren Central High School. At Indiana University, Jessica began producing and directing small, campus-wide variety shows as well as a major theatrical production. While at Indiana University, Jessica received her Bachelors degree in 1993 in Marketing and Advertising and returned to receive her MBA in 1997 in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. While pursuing her MBA, Jessica was elected president of Indiana University's Black MBA Association.
In 2001, Jessica decided to trade in her career as an Account Executive with Procter and Gamble for a camera in Hollywood. She performed in several commercials and worked extensively with Orlando, Florida's People's Theater. Her directorial debut of James Baldwin's AMEN CORNER made the Orlando Sentinel's Entertainment section front cover. This theatrical success fueled her courage to leave a successful career in Marketing and apply to the University of Southern California's (USC) prestigious Peter Stark Producing Program.
While attending USC, Jessica wrote and directed a 16MM, science fiction short entitled FRANTIC in addition to several digital projects. Her biggest honor, however, was being awarded one of three coveted Peter Stark Special Project grants to produce HOPE'S CHOICE. HOPE’S CHOICE has since won several awards including a College TV Award from the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Director’s Guild of America Award, and a Melvin Van Peebles Award. Additionally, it played at the 2005 Cannes International Film Festival. The short received television distribution through the Showtime Network and HBO/CINEMAX Latin America as well as video distribution through Big Film Shorts. HOPE'S CHOICE continues to be shown on cable networks and in film festivals nationwide.
Because of the success of HOPE’S CHOICE, in 2005, fellow USC alum and NAACP Image Award Nominee, Leon Lozano approached Jessica about producing his debut feature, “Something is Killing Tate.†Because of her commitment to producing and directing quality projects that encourage and enlighten, she agreed to partner with Son of Oakland Productions to create the highly acclaimed independent feature about the daily struggles of an adult survivor of child abuse.
In 2004, Jessica optioned the theatrical rights to the New York Times Bestseller “Far from the Tree†written by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant. This screenplay is currently in development.
In addition to filmmaking, Jessica has used her passion for the arts to educate others on the participation of African-American women in front of as well as behind the camera through her film series project titled “Images of Eve.â€
THE CAST OF "SOMETHING IS KILLING TATE"
JOCKO SIMS "Tate"
Jocko Sims grew up in San Antonio, TX with the desire to become a doctor after finishing high school. However, an introduction to theater at the University of Houston sealed Jocko's love for acting, and without hesitation he made a move to realize his dream in Los Angeles. He studied theater for 5 years and ultimately graduated with a B.A. from UCLA's school of Theater, Film and Television. While at UCLA, Jocko had the opportunity to do a couple of workshops with Anthony Hopkins, and he performed in several shows, including Miguel Pinero's controversial play, Short Eyes in the role of Ice.Since graduating, Jocko has stepped into many fields of the entertainment industry. He's been seen on several TV shows including CSI, Cold Case, Yes Dear, and The Shield. He's done commercials, and voice over work, which include FOX network's animated series, American Dad, and a pilot for Comedy Central for which he did several voices.Jocko's film credits include Jarhead, Delta Farce (2007), and the highly anticipated musical, Dreamgirls which also stars Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, and Eddie Murphy.
KEVIN NICHOLS "Carlton"
Kevin Nichols is a Chicago native who has traveled many roads in his quest to become a great actor. The first role that sparked his passion for the craft was in junior high school where he played the fierce lion in the play the The Wiz. From this flicker Kevin in his teenage years dabbled in both music and drama, which kept him tied to the arts. Music management was a profession he pursued after high school for becoming an actor seemed to be an unattainable career. Seeing the artist he managed perform on stage stirred up those old feelings of wanting to be a performer himself so he returned to his first love, acting. He decided to move to Los Angeles and began studying acting privately at Howard Fine Acting Studio. While working on his craft he began to pursue employment as an actor. He performed in numerous plays in theatres throughout the Los Angeles area including the NAACP Best Assemble Cast nominated play â€--In the Blood†and the much talked about play Transitions which jump started his involvement in the Los Angeles theatre circuit. Kevin has also had a requiring role in the television series The Shield as well as starred in the Showtime film The SlowdownÂ. In his continuing quest to become a distinguished actor Kevin is currently studying theatre at The University of Southern California on an academic scholarship.
ROBIN DIONNE "Sylvia"
Robin Dionne, was born and raised in Washington DC where she studied Theatre at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. After graduating from Ellington Robin received a Bachelors of Arts in Theatre from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. Robin has done numerous shows throughout the East Coast. She was cast in the American premiere of Sweat at 7 Stages in Atlanta, she was a member of the Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Group, the Dave and Buster Mystery Players, and did regional tours of Nunsense and Airing Your Dirty Laundry. Robin moved to Los Angeles in the spring of 2006 and has done episodes of Americas Most Wanted, Mystery ER, corporate industrials, PSAs, pilots and independent film projects. Robin resides in Southern California with her loving and supportive husband Wilson and their Beagle. Robin attributes her tenancity and passion for the arts to her late parents who always supported her gift. I am because of you bothÂ: Thank you Leon and Jessica for allowing me to give Sylvia life.
ALIZA PEARL "Rene"
After thirteen years of studying ballet and tap dance, Aliza Pearl began acting for the stage in high school. She was quickly drawn into acting, and continued to perform on stage and film during her undergraduate years at Princeton, where she earned a degree in Comparative Literature and a minor in Drama. Aliza then set her sights on New York City, where she performed in various off-Broadway productions, all the while working more and more in student and independent films. Her favorite theater roles have always been the classics: Andromache in Trojan Women has been one of the most challenging and rewarding. She played a pivotal role in the independent film "The Child Within," portraying a young woman who has decided to sell her unborn child. Aliza now resides in Los Angeles, and continues to build her film career. When not acting, Aliza practices guitar, and writes and performs her original blues-inspired music.
TYRONE CAPRICE "Vashon"
LUZ BEATO "Jasmine"
Luz Beato studies with Judith Weston in Los Angeles . She currently resides in West Hollywood with her endearingly temperamental Cocker Spaniel, Lola. Luz loves pina coladas and walking in the rain! So does Lola.
MYRON DAVIS "Alex"
Myron Davis began acting at the age of fifteen as the voice of Audrey
II in
a production of ¨Little Shop of Horrors¨ at Lee-Davis High School in
his
hometown of Mechanicsville, VA. Four years of electrical engineering
and
college productions at Virginia Tech and a bit of soul searching
brought him
to Sacramento to get grounded in community theatre. After five years
of
regional work in Sacramento, he set his sites on Los Angeles.He has been most humbled along the way by the opportunity to portray
strong
men of color like Bobby Seale, Colin Powell, and most recently Alex in
¨Something is Killing Tate¨. With a dedication to independent and
foreign
film, he now splits his time between Los Angeles and Madrid.
JOSHUA CURLS "Young Tate"
CHANTEL VALDIVIESO "Dottie"
Chantel Louise Valdivieso was born June 6, 1994 on Lakenheath Air Force Base, Lakenheath, England. While her mother, Teresa was serving in the United States Air Force. Chantel's family was transferred to Tucson, Arizonia when Chantel was only seven weeks old. Some would think this is an odd age to be a frequent flier, but not for a military family! Chantel's family had been approached many times about putting her in the entertainment business but with their military schedules this was never possible.After her mother's retirement they moved to Joplin, Missouri, where their family lived. Chantel began taking modeling classes at the local YMCA. Her modeling coach Colleen Hayden, helped to prepare her by organizing runway fashion shows, televised interviews as well as building self-esteem through teaching classes on health and beauty. With the support of her family, her coach Colleen and Colleen's husband John, Chantel was off to New York for the summer. With her mother retired, Chantel now four was commuting from their home town of Joplin, Mo., to the Big Apple. She began working in the Fashion and Print Industry. After being in New York for only three days Chantel booked her first commercial for New York College Saving Fund. By the age of six she had already booked jobs with Sears, Imaginarium, Marshalls and Zoey Computer Games.In July 2002, she added voice-overs to her resume. Booking a voice-over for Sutter Health Care opened another avenue for her to show case her talents. By mid-2002, she had won leads in three Independent Films. Through her hard work, her dreams were becoming a reality. November 2002, Chantel was given her first SAG job. She received a casting call for a pretty, sweet, hero girl named "Holly" (a young Halle Berry type).Her break came after the third callback for the feature film "The Polar Express."Chantel continues to keep busy shooting commercials as well as episodes like "Zoey 101" and "The Dog Whisper." She recently became the first child to be a Announcer at the Imagen's 20th Annual Awards Show. Chantel is currently working on a series called "Have Sword Will Travel." For this project she has been taking sword classes working toward her Level 5 Degree. Chantel's most resent project is working with "Norky" and the PolarBall. Norky is a pen-eagle (penguin/eagle) hybrid and keepers of Santa's naughty and nice list. Chantel is the "Youth Ambassador of Goodwill" and "Celebrity Host" of Norky TV Network. Keep an eye out for the first book in a series of children's books Christmas With Norky being released in September 2005 with a Celebrity Christmas Special to follow.Chantel is very passionate about helping others and changing our world one person at a time. She feels it is part of her responsibility as an actress to be a good role model and lead by example. She hopes to work again with Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis as well as Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman and Steven Speilberg.
AARON DAVIS "Officer Freeley"
BILL SWINDLE "Officer Baines"