Spitfires, Latin Lovers & Bandidos The Latino Stereotype in Film / Alma Martinez
* Who created the Latino stereotype and why?
* What is the American stereotype?
* Is there any truth in stereotypes?
* Why are images of bandidos, maids and talking Chihuahuas offensive to the Latino community?
Alma Martinez, a dynamic speaker and motivator, addresses the construct of the Latino stereotype in film and television and infuses every detail of her presentation with personal and insightful perspectives garnered from 25+ years in the entertainment business. She leads audiences through the evolution of these images and gives them critical awareness of the role of media in creating the myths of the Latino and American stereotypes.
Alma Martinez takes you through her extraordinary life experience from poverty in Mexico to her successful Hollywood acting career.
– Are bad images better than no images?
– What are we really learning from media images?
– Do audiences have the power to affect changes?
Over 20 years in the entertainment business, a former member of El Teatro Campesino and a Ph.D. in Drama from Stanford University, Alma Martinez’s personal and insightful history of the Latina/o image in film leads audiences through the evolution of this image in Hollywood and gives them a critical awareness of the role of film in forging the popular image of Latina/os in the United States.
Electronic media is the most powerful communication tool the world has ever known and the United States’s second largest export.
Films have defined who we are, our history and what it means to be American. Films are not novels and the stereotype has become a quick and powerful method of creating immediate audience recognition.
Close-up look at the past and present to understand what is real and not real and how history has created what today have become media stereotypes. The media can lead the way in depicting a culturally and ethnically balanced America which would enable us to live together with more understanding, respect and tolerance.
Film & TV: The Bridge (7 episodes on FX 2013), The New Adam-12 (star 1990-1991), Nash Bridges, Seguin, Corridos: Tales of Passion and Revolution, co-starred in Zoot Suit, Under Fire, Born in East L.A., Barbarosa.
Stage: Zoot Suit as well as numerous Broadway and regional theatres across the country.
Education: BA Theatre,Whittier College, MFA Acting, University of Southern California, Centro Universitarito de Teatro, University of Mexico
WHAT SCHOOLS ARE SAYING
Her presentation was timely, thought provoking, entertaining and informative. In my ten years I have never received so many accolades from faculty and staff alike. Ms. Martinez was phenomenal.
Robin S., Student Activities
Howard Community College, MD
A potent and authentic speaker.
D.Wesley Poythress
Director Multicultural Life
Hope College, MI
I wanted to send you an email to say thank you for visiting our campus. It was a great experience for everyone who attended. And I appreciate all of the extra time you took with the few students who hung around afterwards.
It is speakers like you and the discussions that follow these presentations that are so enriching to students and staff, and to the growth of a campus.
I appreciate you taking the time to visit and talk with us, especially in such an intimate setting. It was wonderful.
Patrick W.
Program Coordinator
Rutgers University, NJ
Category : Diversity and Multicultural &Gender Issues &Speakers