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Some of Hollywood's most prestigious Hispanic filmmakers are in Tucson to increase the representation on film and television of Latinos, one of the nation's fastest-growing ethnic groups.

The producers academy is led by the Los Angeles-based National Association of Latino Independent Producers, which helps filmmakers cultivate documentary and feature film projects. Seen as a boon to Tucson's struggling film industry, the academy also provides networking opportunities with plugged-in contacts.

"I think it puts Tucson on the map as a center for professional Latino film production," Tucson Film Office director Shelli Hall said. "Like the Sundance Institute has put Sundance on the map for creating independent film, similarly NALIP puts Tucson on the map for creating Latino independent feature film."

Hall estimated the academy, now in its fifth year in Tucson, has launched between six and 12 film projects that plan to shoot here.

"The city is extremely accessible and semed like a great place to … have people away from Hollywood where they could concentrate, focus and have an opportunity to work on projects," said Moctesuma Esparza, who co-founded NALIP.

Esparza was nominated for a best short documentary Oscar for his 1977 film "Agueda Martinez: Our People, Our Country" and went on to produce "Selena" and "The Milagro Beanfield War." On July 26 the Hollywood Reporter named him the 11th-most-powerful Latino in Hollywood.

Most of the meeting, which began last week and runs through Aug. 17 at the Marriott University Park, is limited to filmmakers who submitted proposals for film projects. Thirty of about 100 applicants were chosen.

Attendees include director Luis Mandoki ("Angel Eyes," "Trapped"), producer Conrad Hool ("Man on Fire," "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles") and actor Benito Martinez ("Million Dollar Baby," "Saw").

Latinos, who in the 2005 U.S. census estimate made up 14.4 percent of the national population, appear in a minuscule portion of film and TV roles. Among the reasons are institutionalized boundaries and a lack of cultivated Latino talent.

"There are different situations in TV and feature films," Esparza said. "TV is beginning to open up and I think there's gonna be a lot more (Latino) programming on TV because of ratings points.

"There are very clear indicators that advertisers want the demographics, but buying patterns are not quite as simple to quantify for box office," he said. "We know Latinos represent at least 30 percent of annual box office for movies and yet we are less than 2 percent of the employee base in Hollywood.

"There are no (Latino) vice presidents or executives in domestic distribution, domestic marketing, domestic production or development or acquisitions in the feature film side," Esparza said. "For developers in any studios, no one is there even to say 'no' to a project who knows the marketplace and understands what stories and material would be attractive.

"It's a fundamental problem of the doors to Hollywood having been difficult to open historically. Very few people over the years have managed to move up. There are some young guys getting in at the lowest levels, but it will take them a long time."

A 2004 UCLA study found that Latino characters made up just 4 percent of prime-time TV roles, with ABC providing half of those parts. That 4 percent figure is skewed high because the study was done when ABC's recently canceled "George Lopez" was in full swing.

Around the time "George Lopez" debuted in 2002, Latinos appeared to be making headway on TV. "Resurrection Blvd.," created by Tucson's Dennis Leoni, was completing its 2000-2002 run, and Tucson product Peter Murrieta debuted "Greetings From Tucson." In 2003, two more comedies with Hispanic stars, "Luis" (Luis Guzmán) and "The Ortegas" (Cheech Marin) launched.

By the end of 2003, all but "George Lopez" were off the air.

Esparza says the canceling of "George Lopez" is no sign of a Latino TV recession.

"The show lasted for five years. It was a success," he said. " 'Ugly Betty' is on the air, which again is a Latino-themed program that's also a success. 'George Lopez' was a positive event that set other projects in motion."

Local filmmaker Ben Lopez, who secured a deal for one of his films with a Mexican TV station, credits the academy for getting him where he is today.

"It's allowed me to be close to mentors, meaning the industry pros who are flown in to mentor the fellows who are selected into the academy," said Lopez, who has participated in the academy each year it's been in town.

"It's allowed me to come from the periphery — I started off as a driver and production assistant — to get close enough to overhear conversations initially. Later on, I would attend some workshops that really got me started and basically allowed me to do some really in-depth research and learn about practical applications in producing and directing. It's very much hands-on, and you're privy to a lot of conversations about everything from production to post-production to distribution and exhibition."

Lopez shares Esparza's optimism.

"There's definitely potential for the Latino market here," said Lopez, who has made several industry contacts through the association, including Esparza, Ferrera, Salma Hayek and Andy Garcia.

"We definitely need people in those positions of power who can hire and make decisions. That's the key — can you hire people? You might come from the same background, but your voice has to be heard. You have to get through that way as opposed to standing outside the gates of Paramount protesting that they don't hire Latinos. They're not going to pay a whole lot of attention," Lopez said.

"You really gotta sneak in there. You gotta sneak in there, and kind of hold the door open, and once you get in pull as many people as you can in with you."

According to a U.S. census estimate in 2005, people of Hispanic or Latino origin make up 28.5 percent of Arizona's population, nearly double the national average of 14.4 percent. The next- largest Arizona minority group is American Indians, who make up 5.1 percent of the state's population. White non-Hispanics account for 60.5 percent of Arizonans.

5

Years Tucson has hosted NALIP's producers academy.

6 to 12

Projects the academy has spawned so far with plans to film in Tucson.

0

Latinos who hold major studio executive positions, according to producer Moctesuma Esparza.

3

Oscars won by Mexican-born director Guillermo Del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth."

The screening of the immigration-themed "La Misma Luna," which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, is open to the public. The movie, which will open in theaters in September, screens at 8 p.m. Monday at the Fox Tucson Theatre. America Ferrera (TV's "Ugly Betty") stars. The suggested donation is $5.

On StarNet: Read Star film critic Phil Villarreal's blog, "Philm Guy" at go.azstarnet.com/philmguy