Latinos needed in film, television expert says

By Patricia Oropeza, On-line Forty-Niner

April 15,1998

 

Many internships available now

 

There exists a great shortage in Hollywood. A great shortage of Latinos in the film and television industry, to be exact.

 

"The number of Latinos who go into the industry is very small due to a lack of exposure," said Harold Cannon, a Spanish professor at Cal State Long Beach. "[Latinos] are not aware, nor are they encouraged to go into those areas."

 

According to Cannon, Latinos account for 2 percent of the industry. In an attempt to improve the dismal amount, he recently created a film and television internship program earlier this semester specifically aimed at Latinos.

 

The 10-week program, which is run by the Spanish department, gives students proficient in English and Spanish the opportunity to work in different areas of the industry, including marketing, news, graphics and accounting. Although students do not have to be Latino, knowledge of the culture is an absolute must.

 

Cannon, who is of Argentine and Spanish descent, said he did not create the program to obtain recognition or money. He simply started it because he wants to see more Latinos in the industry.

 

"I get the satisfaction that the Latino will be like Emiliano Zapata. He'll have the freedom to move on his two feet and he will not be on his knees," Cannon said.

 

With 15 years of acting experience in TV shows, commercials and films, Cannon believes he is perfectly suited to oversee the program.

 

"I work in the industry almost every day. I'm aware of what they need and what they're willing to do to find these people," Cannon said.

 

"[Students] have to be recommended. You cannot get in unless you're recommended. You can fill out a hundred applications and you'll be ignored. You need contacts. I am the contact man."

 

Students must enroll in Spanish 494 and complete 10 to 30 hours each week at their respective work sites, depending on the number of units they want to receive.

 

Job duties for the five interns currently in the program range from production assistants in TV commercials to gathering news for KMEX-TV (Channel 34).

 

Besides meeting every other week with the students to discuss any questions or concerns they may have, Cannon also makes it a point to call them once a week.

 

"They're busy, so it's best to talk on the phone," Cannon said.

 

In addition, Cannon calls the students' supervisors on a regular basis to see if interns feel comfortable in their positions and if they are getting along well with others.

 

So far, no complaints have been uttered from either side.

 

"[The program] has been very good so far. I have bright interns who have definite ideas about what they want to experience," Cannon said.

 

Although the internships do not pay, students obtain useful hands-on experience, as well as recommendations and contacts that come in handy when they are looking for jobs.

 

Jessica Hernandez, a senior philosophy major at CSULB who is currently interning at a production company, is ecstatic about Cannon's program.

 

"I couldn't thank Dr. Cannon enough," Hernandez said. "I'm getting a lot of hands-on experience because of this internship."

 

Hernandez, who plans to become a director and producer, also likes the fact that Cannon takes the time to call each intern.

 

"It makes you feel like someone is looking after you," Hernandez said.

 

Cannon is already looking toward the future, and he hopes that his program will extend itself to other departments at CSULB that never thought students with bilingual skills could work in an internship sponsored by the Spanish department.

 

Cannon is currently preparing a video detailing the specifics of the program, which he not only plans to show to students in the Spanish department, but also to students in other departments.

 

The program is open to anyone with advanced bilingual skills who has a strong interest in film and electronic arts. Any student may apply, regardless of class standing.

 

For more information, one may call Cannon at (562) 985-1599.

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