Friday, December 14, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Spotlight: Being Big Works for Actor Lou Torres
By Robert Waddell
Actor Lou Torres has the curse of most character actors: the viewing audience knows his face but
doesn’t know his name.
This burly Puerto Rican from the Bronx is recognizable from films such as the first “Spiderman,” “Shaft,” “Taxi” with Queen Latifah, “The Fantastic Four,” “Night at the Museum,” “El Cantante” and “Music and Lyrics.”
“Now people look at me (on the street) like they know me or they’ve seen me or they don’t believe it’s me,” said Torres who is large and magnetic with sensitive eyes and a brusque voice.
He attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx and studied at Queens College’s Aaron Copland School of Music.
He used to be a New York City music teacher and a caseworker at Planned Parenthood. He also served at one point as assistant chief of staff to Councilman David Rosado.
But in the late 1990’s, things changed.
Torres recalled that he saw a Spanish newspaper classified ad looking for “a tough Hispanic male for the film ‘Sleepers’ with Robert De Niro.”
At first, he thought it was a hoax or a scam. But his friend convinced Torres to go to the audition even though he had no formal acting training. He didn’t get the part, but he was encouraged to pursue acting.
Torres has since taken acting classes at H.B. studios, The Actors Studio and the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre’s Raul Julia Training Unit.
He is now a full-time actor and producer. He runs Big Lou Productions and has done three films so far.
As a working actor, he mainly plays the big guy, the storeowner or bouncer types.
“I’m happy to get all of my roles,” Torres said.
“I look at it as work. Whatever work I get, I’m appreciative of it.”
Now, Torres produces movies to provide himself and other actors with the non-traditional roles and projects he dreams about. His big dream is to do a Latino remake of “Marty.”
“I’ve already produced my second project called ‘Rockaway’ and that’s going to be released by Lions Gate. Nothing has been formalized, but he is hoping that something positive will happen by next year.
For now, Torres said he’s going to continue producing movies and telling stories. “Maybe one day I'll cast myself as the lead.”
Robert Waddell is a Bronx-based writer who contributes articles to Puerto Rico Sun.
Actor Lou Torres has the curse of most character actors: the viewing audience knows his face but
doesn’t know his name.
This burly Puerto Rican from the Bronx is recognizable from films such as the first “Spiderman,” “Shaft,” “Taxi” with Queen Latifah, “The Fantastic Four,” “Night at the Museum,” “El Cantante” and “Music and Lyrics.”
“Now people look at me (on the street) like they know me or they’ve seen me or they don’t believe it’s me,” said Torres who is large and magnetic with sensitive eyes and a brusque voice.
He attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx and studied at Queens College’s Aaron Copland School of Music.
He used to be a New York City music teacher and a caseworker at Planned Parenthood. He also served at one point as assistant chief of staff to Councilman David Rosado.
But in the late 1990’s, things changed.
Torres recalled that he saw a Spanish newspaper classified ad looking for “a tough Hispanic male for the film ‘Sleepers’ with Robert De Niro.”
At first, he thought it was a hoax or a scam. But his friend convinced Torres to go to the audition even though he had no formal acting training. He didn’t get the part, but he was encouraged to pursue acting.
Torres has since taken acting classes at H.B. studios, The Actors Studio and the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre’s Raul Julia Training Unit.
He is now a full-time actor and producer. He runs Big Lou Productions and has done three films so far.
As a working actor, he mainly plays the big guy, the storeowner or bouncer types.
“I’m happy to get all of my roles,” Torres said.
“I look at it as work. Whatever work I get, I’m appreciative of it.”
Now, Torres produces movies to provide himself and other actors with the non-traditional roles and projects he dreams about. His big dream is to do a Latino remake of “Marty.”
“I’ve already produced my second project called ‘Rockaway’ and that’s going to be released by Lions Gate. Nothing has been formalized, but he is hoping that something positive will happen by next year.
For now, Torres said he’s going to continue producing movies and telling stories. “Maybe one day I'll cast myself as the lead.”
Robert Waddell is a Bronx-based writer who contributes articles to Puerto Rico Sun.
Photography
One of my Bronx photos made the Schmap New York guide. Check out the guide.
Here's an excerpt of an e-mail I received from the editor:
I am delighted to let you know that your submitted photo has been selected for inclusion in the newly released fourth edition of our Schmap New York Guide:
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto
www.schmap.com/newyork/sights_churches/p=266835/i=266835.jpg
Thanks so much for letting us include your photo - please enjoy the guide!
Best regards,
Emma Williams,
Managing Editor, Schmap Guides
One of my Bronx photos made the Schmap New York guide. Check out the guide.
Here's an excerpt of an e-mail I received from the editor:
I am delighted to let you know that your submitted photo has been selected for inclusion in the newly released fourth edition of our Schmap New York Guide:
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto
www.schmap.com/newyork/sights_churches/p=266835/i=266835.jpg
Thanks so much for letting us include your photo - please enjoy the guide!
Best regards,
Emma Williams,
Managing Editor, Schmap Guides
Portrait of Loisaida Talk
The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Center is pleased to invite you to a free panel discussion and film screening on Monday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m., with the photographers Clayton Patterson and Marisol Díaz, both featured in the exhibition: Portrait of Loisaida.
In addition to the two photographers, the panel will include the documentary filmmakers Ben Solomon, Daniel Levin, and Jenner Furst, the force behind the documentary film CAPTURED which profiles Patterson's odyssey from voyeur to provocateur, and from activist to renegade archivist. This fast-paced documentary includes Patterson's rare and renowned footage of the Tompkins Square police riots, and provides a close-up look at a fascinating character and chapter of urban culture. Selections from the film will be screened for the public.
The event will take place in the Milagro Theater, CSV Cultural Center, 107 Suffolk Street.
Portrait of Loisaida Exhibition on view until Jan. 12, 2008
CSV Cultural Center invited two accomplished photographers, Clayton Patterson and Marisol Díaz, to capture a community in transition. The Lower East Side of Manhattan, long referred to by its Hispanic residents as "Loisaida", is presently experiencing the shearing forces of gentrification -- multi-million dollar condominium projects sprouting in the midst of neighborhoods that have housed the city's immigrant poor for generations.
This exhibition is an opportunity to discuss the tensions that these economic and social changes introduce in the community, and the photos of Patterson and Díaz, two photographers with impressive histories of documenting this community, share their images of the people, institutions, and architecture of a neighborhood in transition.
The exhibition was curated by Luis R. Cancel, the Center's Executive Director.
In addition to the two photographers, the panel will include the documentary filmmakers Ben Solomon, Daniel Levin, and Jenner Furst, the force behind the documentary film CAPTURED which profiles Patterson's odyssey from voyeur to provocateur, and from activist to renegade archivist. This fast-paced documentary includes Patterson's rare and renowned footage of the Tompkins Square police riots, and provides a close-up look at a fascinating character and chapter of urban culture. Selections from the film will be screened for the public.
The event will take place in the Milagro Theater, CSV Cultural Center, 107 Suffolk Street.
Portrait of Loisaida Exhibition on view until Jan. 12, 2008
CSV Cultural Center invited two accomplished photographers, Clayton Patterson and Marisol Díaz, to capture a community in transition. The Lower East Side of Manhattan, long referred to by its Hispanic residents as "Loisaida", is presently experiencing the shearing forces of gentrification -- multi-million dollar condominium projects sprouting in the midst of neighborhoods that have housed the city's immigrant poor for generations.
This exhibition is an opportunity to discuss the tensions that these economic and social changes introduce in the community, and the photos of Patterson and Díaz, two photographers with impressive histories of documenting this community, share their images of the people, institutions, and architecture of a neighborhood in transition.
The exhibition was curated by Luis R. Cancel, the Center's Executive Director.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Community Calendar
112 Anos del Nacimiento de Nuestra Bandera
sabado, 15 de diciembre
6 p.m.
Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture
450 Grand Concourse, Bronx
Entrada gratis con boleto
Un concierto de gala con
Choco Orta y su Orquesta
Roy Borwn
Giovanni Lugo y Grupo Guarayson
Para informacion y taquilla
718 933-2204 y 718 518 4455
112 Anos del Nacimiento de Nuestra Bandera
sabado, 15 de diciembre
6 p.m.
Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture
450 Grand Concourse, Bronx
Entrada gratis con boleto
Un concierto de gala con
Choco Orta y su Orquesta
Roy Borwn
Giovanni Lugo y Grupo Guarayson
Para informacion y taquilla
718 933-2204 y 718 518 4455
Dear Friends,
I have just read and signed the petition: "Stop Big Media From Getting Bigger!"
Please take a moment to read about this important issue, and join me in signing the petition. It takes just 30 seconds, but can truly make a difference. We are trying to reach 10,000 signatures - please sign here:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/659309295
Once you have signed, you can help even more by asking your friends and family to sign as well.
Thank you!
Clarisel Gonzalez
http://www.thePetitionSite.com
I have just read and signed the petition: "Stop Big Media From Getting Bigger!"
Please take a moment to read about this important issue, and join me in signing the petition. It takes just 30 seconds, but can truly make a difference. We are trying to reach 10,000 signatures - please sign here:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/659309295
Once you have signed, you can help even more by asking your friends and family to sign as well.
Thank you!
Clarisel Gonzalez
http://www.thePetitionSite.com
Friday, December 07, 2007
Saludos
Photos of Puerto Rico.com wants to take a few minutes to wish you all Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año 2008. All the best and may all your wishes come true.
We take the opportunity to invite you to our site and sign up to our Spanish Forums/Foros. There you can interact with us, family members and friends. It is easy, fast and free. Visit our site and click on the forum banner or the FORUMS link on the site's menu.
Again our best wishes for your holidays and new year.
Warm Regards,
George Collazo & Jeannette Valle
www.photosofpuertorico.com
Photos of Puerto Rico.com wants to take a few minutes to wish you all Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año 2008. All the best and may all your wishes come true.
We take the opportunity to invite you to our site and sign up to our Spanish Forums/Foros. There you can interact with us, family members and friends. It is easy, fast and free. Visit our site and click on the forum banner or the FORUMS link on the site's menu.
Again our best wishes for your holidays and new year.
Warm Regards,
George Collazo & Jeannette Valle
www.photosofpuertorico.com
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
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