My Experience Working on La Voz Kids

            Hello everyone, I hope you all have a great week! I’m taking this time to share with you my experience working on La Voz Kids. Even though the second season of this Spanish/Kid version of The Voice started a few weeks ago, I waited until today to write about it because I worked on the “Battles” portion of the show, which concluded last night. The show, which airs on Telemundo Sunday nights, had three episodes (April 27, May 4, and May 11) of “las batallas” where 18 out 54 kids made it through to the live portion of the show which starts next week.

            I worked as an assistant on the contestant management department, so I dealt directly with the kids and their families. Throughout the week before rehearsals and the tapings began, I made sure they were on time for their meals, their tutoring hours, voice or dance practice, etc. Once rehearsals for the tapings began, I was in the soundstage coordinating they’re arrival to the holding area before it was their turn to go up and perform. At the same time, I also managed to assist the audio department micing lavs on contestants and two family members. Once the actual tapings began, it was pretty much the same drill, except it got crazier but more exciting, since it’s shot as if it was live. The kids were divided in groups of three, totaling eighteen groups. Only one kid per group made it through, so it got pretty intense. It was pretty much “Hunger Games,” as I like calling it.

            I must say this has been one of the best, if not the best, work experience so far. One of my dreams came true, which was to work on a singing competition show. I got to be back in Orlando for almost two weeks, which meant I had the opportunity to catch up and work with friends and colleagues, I swinged by my favorite local spots, and I visited my alma mater and spoke to students about life after college and LA. I got to work on a new department and I learned a lot from both the people above me and even the contestants. It was also nice seeing these three episodes on TV after going through that process with my colleagues, the contestants and their families. I wish the best of luck to everyone on the live portion of the show.

My First NOH8 Picture

            Hello everyone, are you wearing pink today? I am, and I promise it is pure coincidence. Not only is it Wednesday, but it is the tenth anniversary of the theatrical release of Mean Girls. On another note, I am writing a slightly different blogpost than usual to share my first NOH8 picture and my experience with the campaign since I started volunteering back in December of 2013.

            For those who aren’t familiar, the NOH8 campaign is a photographic silent protest that was started in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8 in California back in 2008. Founded by photographer Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley, the mission of this charitable organization is to promote marriage, gender, and human equality through education, advocacy, social media, and visual protest. Since its inception, over 30,000 portraits have been taken around the world. Many politicians, athletes, and celebrities have joined the cause, including Larry King, Cady Heron (sorry, Lindsay Lohan), Shailene Woodley (The Descendants), Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games), Bryan Singer (X-Men), and even The Power Rangers.

            My personal reasons for posing are to raise awareness for voiceless victims of bullying, violence, and hate simply because of the color of their skin, their beliefs, the person they’re in love with, or for being different. As someone who is in the early stages of a Film and TV career, I also pledge to keep producing my own content that represents the voiceless in a respectful and honorable way, such as Know Your Status and Vicissitude, and I'll continue to do so until eventually I’m able to create material for a global audience.

            Being involved with the campaign is a great way to be part of something bigger than yourself. I am also grateful because I’ve had the opportunity of meeting amazing people the last times I’ve volunteered, including Adam of course, whose work I’ve been following since high school, Rachel Crowe from Season 1 of The X-Factor, and Keith Blau, someone I can now call a great friend and who has been of great advice when it comes to important career decisions. He's an entertainment lawyer at Universal who's been volunteering with the campaign for four years. 

To my friends in Orlando, don’t miss the opportunity to get your picture taken on May 6th, and to my local friends, there will be a photo shoot in West Hollywood on May 10^th. I’ll be volunteering, so swing by!