What did you do on Labor Day weekend?

I laboriously worked on a new short film for a film challenge. The non-profit organization FilAm Creative brought back FilAm Creations established in 2017. This year, the challenge outlined three priorities that must be included in all FilAm Creations' shorts.  

Interested participants all met up at the Paper Tiger Bar in East Hollywood in August. My producing partner Jennifer Aquino (last participated as a special guest panelist for my 11th Filipino Hollywood Actors Panel: Voice Actors event back in June 2024) and I attended. We locked in three people; two who I've known for almost a decade but never worked on something together until now. Two people who I really wanted to work with based on one 2017 short film that competed in the first film challenge... Lullaby. 

We also met actress and model Jaia Lyne. For me, it was a reunion. She volunteered to help out at an event presented by the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Hollywood's Up Close With...Mark Dacascos event held at Tiato in Santa Monica, CA in February 2020. I was one of the organization's board of directors at the time.

DEVELOPMENT & PRE-PRODUCTION: 
We were introduced to Erin Aster to write a script based on various ideas we had. Kudos to her in such a short time to come up with a grounded story we, in unison love. Next was a table read, rehearsals and assembling crew and locations, it's off to the races!

​PRODUCTION & FILMING: 
One day of filming and a second day for a couple of pickups on-location at a quiet neighborhood in Los Angeles under a SAG-AFTRA contract in early September. A majority of the scenes took place at night with three actors and a small crew during Labor Day weekend below.

POST-PRODUCTION & RELEASE:
Post-production began immediately after filming. Our film was submitted to the 2nd annual FilAm Creative Film Festival on time.

Founded by Edwin A. Santos and sponsored by the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA), FilAm Creative presents the 11th Edition of the Filipino Hollywood Actors Panel: Voice Actors welcomes Special Guest Panelists and Returnees: RATANA (voiced the first Filipina American Marvel super heroine, Wave in "Marvel Super War"), EARL BAYLON (reprising as Jonah Maiava in the upcoming animated Netflix series, "Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft"), CHRISTINE MARIE CABANOS (voiced Arizal in Rooster Teeth's animated web series, "Recorded by Arizal"), award-winning audiobook voice narrator and artist JENNIFER AQUINO, and voice actor and audio engineer GEOFF BISENTE on Saturday, June 8, from 2pm to 5pm LIVE in-person at Playbox Studio in Hollywood, California. To be moderated by JEFF FRANCISCO ("Plane," "The Lincoln Lawyer"). Tickets on sale now on Partiful.

We are proud to announce at long last, "The Monsters Without" is opening theatrically this month of April. Come out and see me in my biggest role to date at Opening Night on Friday, April 28, 2023 (7:30pm PST) at the Arena Cinelounge Sunset in Hollywood. 

Distributed by Indican Pictures.

Get your tickets here: https://ticketing.uswest.veezi.com/purchase/12068?siteToken=kg8371mdgntr6a2b24256dpjaw

​The film screens from April 28 to May 4 - all 7:30pm (PST) shows.

Edwin A. Santos' Filipino Hollywood Actors Panel (formerly FAC Actor's Panel) returns to FilAm Creative and the Clubhouse with its 10th edition with two back-to-back panels with our special guest panelists Sam Morelos, April Absynth, Ashley Argota Torres, Kian Talan, Sumalee Montano, Reggie Lee, Ellen D. Williams, Timothy Granaderos, Giovannie Espiritu and casting directors Dea Vise and Geoffrey Miclat on Saturday, June 24, 2023 starting at 2:00pm (PST).

RSVP HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/10th-filipino-hollywood-actors-panel-networking-tickets-647198747877 or scan the QR code on the advertisement. 

After five years (since 2018), the newly branded Filipino Hollywood Actors Panel (formerly FAC Actor's Panel) returns to where is debuted - at FilAm Creative.

Founded and produced by a returning Edwin A. Santos (2015 - 2018; 2023 - present), the Filipino Hollywood Actors Panel is a panel discussion and networking event featuring special guest panelists representing the craft and business of acting across the board while shining a spotlight on North American Filipino talent in Hollywood today.

In 2019, Edwin joined the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Hollywood (FACC-Hollywood) and became one of its original founders and a Board of Director. He produced four Filipino Hollywood Actors Panels from 2019 to 2022.

• The live in-person 6th edition with Rodney To, Jason Rogel, Joy Regullano and JB Tadena held at the Secret Rose Theater in North Hollywood, California.
• The virtual 7th edition with Amanda Joy, Alain Uy, Tamlyn Tomita.
• The virtual 8th edition with Deedee Magno Hall, Earl Baylon and Lou Ticzon.
• The virtual 9th edition with Martha Millan, Melody Butiu and Carolyn Fe.

FilAm Creative will present the 10th edition of the Filipino Hollywood Actors Panel as it returns live in-person on Saturday, June 24, 2024 from 2pm to 6pm at the Clubhouse in East Hollywood/Los Feliz, CA. More information to be revealed.

I performed at Filipinx Actors Barkada's first in-person live variety show, "Barkada FABaret" on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at the Roguelike Tavern in Burbank, California. It was comprised with actors, singers, comedians and more. 

This was my third show with FAB since "Pinoy Joy!" and "Halo Halo-ween" - both shows (along with "A Night of Joy!") were presented virtually.

The last time I performed in front of a live audience was in two sketches written by Jonathan Grant, and with performers Andy Wagner, Brian Rubinow, Michael M. Soldati, Jodi Jett, Kerry Michelle Smith, Steve Saunders, Erica Fortes, Kimberly Truong and Chelsea St. James of the Polyphilos Trismegistos team at "Smut's Dirty Little Secret" show at UCB Sunset in 2015.

​Below are photos from last Saturday's show.