Candy Ibarra Mexican-American Latina Made Her Mark In The Entertainment Industry
LBT: What were the challenges in the entertainment industry specifically for: film, TV and theatre? Did you find solutions?
What strides has the entertainment industry made any progress in accepting women and minorities? Please share examples of progress as well as any existing ongoing challenges to achieve success in the entertainment industry.
Well, there is a lot of competition and content nowadays. So its quite a challenge to come up with a new way to tell a story. I feel that collaborating with others helps with a new approach.
As a Latina, with my own business, there are still a lot of hurdles with ethnic. It is still very tough to get our stories told beyond the stereotypes. This is why the majority of my focus and projects has been on diversity and I feel that we are beginning to make headway.
I have made my focus on almost exclusively on both of these fronts.
Fortunately, others are honing in on it also. And with numbers comes power and change. The marginalized are now coming together to tell true stories and connecting to the others like them.
One of the current projects which Latina Enterprises. Inc. is currently developing is a series about Latinas In Los Angeles , in their 30’s/ 40’s. A demographic that that still does not seem to be reflected anywhere.
The fact that I was able to find such great collaborators that shared my vision -in itself- shows how we have made progress.
There were others, who were feeling the same as me, that what we were seeing shown was way off. There is such great talent that are preparing themselves and is ready for the challenge that it was easy to find them. Not to mention the buzz that we are getting as we start the pitching process.
People are in need of seeing a diverse and multilayered character, just as they are diverse and multi-layered themselves in real life.
I have found that there are some organizations that I am a member of such as the Television Academy of Television, The Sundance Institute, Women in Film and others that are trying to make a difference and offer mentorships, labs and workshops at various times of the year.
We are on our way to make a difference.
LBT: Did you have a ‘trusted’ advisor, mentor or coach whom you have worked with, consulted or confided in? Please give a few examples of how their input has been valuable.
Although this is going to sound cliché, every person that I have worked with has been and mentor of some kind, I absorb all of the information I can from all of the projects that I’m exposed to even in the slightest.
I have accepted that I don’t know everything. So, I am more open to more experiences and am able to pick up new thoughts and ideas from everything.
Even now as we are finishing up the planning of the Omnicultural TV Festival and continue working on my current projects- I am looking forward in learning from these content creators, writers etc. that are participating in the festival.
As far as mentors, one of the people that I looked up to and was a tremendous mentor to me was Bonnie Tiegel – a Senior Producer I worked with many years ago. She taught me the ins and outs of the “business” of entertainment. Things you only learn by falling on your butt.
She was kind and generous. She passed away not so long ago and the world was a better place with her in it.
My parents
The other mentors would have to be my parents Esequiel and Adelaida. They made a life in a new country and contributed more to make the United States than anyone else I know.
They decided to pursue their happiness and were able to actually be successful and make a living from it. They purchased real estate in the Westside of Los Angeles that now is worth millions.
Now that’s success!
LBT: Would you please tell us about your business and how it’s unique. What was the motivation or inspiration behind establishing your business?
Well my business is unique because not only is it a full-service production company but also, we help others mold their media to reach out to others in various languages/demographics.
We offer services in localization (re- branding their media/ websites/ materials to reach specific regions, demographics) and translation/ Interpreting as well. We help other businesses enhance their outreach.
My inspiration was to help others to understand their audience in whatever field they were in, just as I had to. Our team is as diverse as our clients , which helps us reach out internationally.
One of our clients
One example of our clients, is one who hired us to take on their translation and localization, had many issues with how they translated their media materials in various markets.
They were constantly having negative feedback on certain words that were used that were hard to understand and they were quickly losing customers. After being with us for less than 6 months, the complaints got almost non-existent.
The point is to communicate in a way that your demographic understands. Again this ties into how you tell a story and the understanding of diversity. One size does not fit all.
This is what inspired me to establish my business, being able to tell a story in film, TV etc. and in helping others tell their story to who ever they target. In communicating in that unique way that makes a difference.
LBT: Balancing professional and personal lives is a continual challenge; how do you handle it?
Well, I’m a single mom with an 8-year-old son so it is a challenge but I’m happy to do it. I am living my dream.
Keeping a good schedule and attempting not to overbook myself helps . Doing what you love is essential. In my free time, because my son loves computer coding and robotics, we are always attending some kind of class or event for that. He also pursues acting and singing (just like his mother .)
Happily, I am still pursuing my acting and singing career and I think I will never let go of that. I am proud to also be an advisor for various organizations such as ACLU and Television Academy of Arts and Sciences among others.
LBT: Candy what drew you to the Omni Cultural TV Fest? What are you hoping to find at the Omni Cultural TV Fest that you might consider bringing to develop at your production Company?
Well, like I mentioned already, I have struggled with how things are for diversity in this business and feel like it’s my turn to give back.
I also have to admit that is feels pretty great to be able to share what I learned so that others can take it and continue pushing for diversity. The amount of successful people that we have been able to get involved in this festival is incredible. Some of its just me being in awe of who I get to do this! I’m constantly learning from others and this is event is going to be huge!
On May 1stat the festival, you will see some of the best people in the business sharing their take on things in panels, some of the best and upcoming content producers showcased and awarded. Also, a celebration of talent with a huge spotlight on diversity.
Not to mention a great Party! People can purchase tickets attend, Sponsor the festival, and volunteer by going to www.ominculturaltvfest.com
LBT: What does it take to sell a project and get it green light?
It takes a good story; talented people involved who can actually bring it life attached and connections to get it done.
Most people don’t realize that a project can take some time years to be produced and seen by the audience. So, what you have needs to be solid. You need patience and a realistic way of dealing with changes and evolution of the project. Keep going no matter what!
LBT: Candy what are the rewards you value most from starting and owning your business?
I value having time to pursue my dreams while at the same time helping others pursue theirs.
I am proud and thankful that I do what I do. I am also proud to be able to continue the legacy of my family as a business owner. I want to leave my own legacy and that is why Latina Enterprises, Inc. has honed its focus and diversity and inclusion.
LBT: Any future plan for your business?
I want to expand it more internationally and one day celebrate my 40th year hopefully in business. I hope to be able to support diversity in my producing as well! The sky’s the limit!
My wish is that anyone who is reading this will take a chance and realize that no one is going to do it for you ! All you have to do is prepare, research and seek out others in your field that already helps “newbies.”
Reach out to others and communicate your plans, ask for contacts. It is a small world and someone will know someone who can connect with you.
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