Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Caroline Buendia. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Caroline, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

The best bosses and mentors I have ever had are three of the toughest, kindest and most authentic women in the film industry, together they form Cholawood Productions, Kate Del Castillo, Carmen Cervantes and Jessica Maldonado. I am grateful that they were my first bosses when I first stepped into the TV industry because their values and goals in the industry were the same as mine, they wanted to create shows that embraced and highlighted Latinx representation that avoided stereotypes with strong characters and great stories. They pushed me to not only meet and exceed in the skills the job required, but they always encouraged my personal and professional growth with advice, invaluable knowledgeable of the industry when I was new to it, trusted in my potential and created a space where I aways felt like I could speak up. The thing I remember the most was my creative mind flourishing alongside them when we discussed projects and stories as a team. They were unique because of their tight friendship, which I connected with because they reminded me of my own friends, and the fact that I was able to talk in Spanish with them added another level of connection altogether. To this day, I know I could turn to them for advice and support.

Caroline, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Caroline Buendia, a writer and producer. I was born in Mexico but raised is sunny California, I am a Rock N Roll fanatic, a and a booknerd. I graduated from California State University of Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s in Television, Film and Media Studies. Shortly after, I received an internship with the Television Academy Foundation where I worked for Cholawood Productions (Kate Del Castillo, Jessica Maldonado and Carmen Cervantes), which led to a job as a coordinator in Endemol Shine North America.

My writing encompasses many different forms. In 2020, two of my poems were published in the poetry book The Latinx Poetry Project by Alegria Magazine. In 2022, my scripts led me to be a semi-finalist in the DGE Writing Program and a quarter-finalist in the ScreenCraft Horror Competition. In February 2023, my short story El Atrapador was published in Pinguica Magazine. Most recently I wrote a short film titled “Ahora Que Ella No Esta” which was inspired by a personal story, it was produced in Mexico and entered two festivals.​ Currently I’m submitting my screenplays to writing programs while also attempting to take on the industry as a producer because my goal is to not only tell my own stories, but also help others bring theirs to life. I deeply believe we should lift each other up.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I knew about the resources that exists for upcoming screenwriters when I was in college as it would have prepared me with a portfolio early in my career but I found these myself after graduating and felt like I had wasted valuable time. There is an array of writing programs that help prepare future screenwriters who want to write for film and TV, giving them an insight into what the industry asks of writers, some focused on BIPOC writers, some with a submission fee and others free. To name a few free ones focused on creating a pathway to writers of diverse backgrounds there is the Warner Bros Discovery Access Writers Program, NBC Writers on The Verge, Circle of Confusion, Antigravity Writers Camp, and NHMC. Programs with a submission fee include, Sundance Development and Episodic programs, and much more can be found by signing up for free to FilmFreeway and Coverfly as these websites posts programs as they open up.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The mission that is always in the back of my mind and drives my creative journey is to ultimate create a name for myself as a writer and producer to one day create a writing program that helps bring diverse, unique and powerful stories to the screen that put a spotlight on an array of cultures. One that focuses on a writer’s story, strengths, talent and uplifts them so they can overcome their obstacles. I want to guide writers of diverse backgrounds like myself who have yet to see stories they can connect with or relate to reflected on the screen. I aim to create another pathway for them to showcase their talent as they take on their own creative journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://carolinebuendia.wixsite.com/website-2
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebuendia/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-buendia-16b252179/