We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katherine Espin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Katherine, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Thankfully I’ve been able to work on a couple of them, but the latest has been a recent one I’ve acted in.
The feature film is called ‘Raza,’ written by Victor Adame. It’s a reflection of the struggles that a lot of the latino young men and families face in rough neighborhoods, and in this case it takes place in Riverside, CA during the 90’s. It showcases not only the problems with our justice system as it pertains to the latino population, but also the wrongful accusations that come to pass on a young person’s life that cause them to lose precious time spent in jail. Families torn apart for someone else’s mistakes. This story is based on the writer’s actual older brother, who was also wrongfully accused of a crime he didn’t commit, and had to spend wasted years in jail for it. The story highlights a family without a present father, leaving a mother to care for her four children alone. We have the eldest son, Junior (who is later wrongfully accused in the story), next we have Tony, the second oldest later left in charge to take care of the family while Junior is undergoing trial and jail time. We also have Lydia who is the eldest daughter and then we have the youngest daughter, Mariana, played by yours truly.

This is the first time I have had the pleasure of playing a Latina role that best fits my essence. Many times, Latina roles are still leaning in a very stereotypical way. Slowly changing thankfully, but still, I struggle with truly fitting into the exaggerated chola roles I don’t personally identify with. If I really had to play one, I will, but if I had the choice, I would prefer a role that fits my essence and personal experience. In this case, the role of Mariana is one I could identify with because despite the struggles and gang related influence she faced growing up in her neighborhood, she focused on her studies and is applying to really good schools after graduating High School. This was me growing up, and I would love for more studious and hard working intelligent Latina representations be showcased in films and T.V. shows. So it was definitely a pleasure and an honor to finally get to play a role like this one!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For those who don’t know me, I have been establishing myself in this town as an actress and filmmaker. I moved out to L.A. all by myself back in 2018 to study at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood. Since graduation, and despite it being at the height of the pandemic, I was able to start booking a lot of acting roles in indie projects, as well as getting to direct other ones too. Many of these projects have received outstanding awards in film festivals, and you can find all that information on my IMDb.

It took a really great group of young actors/filmmakers that I met through The Academy, to get us to where we are today. We all not only act, but also have great skills in other areas of filmmaking. Like in my case, I love Directing as much as I love to act. And I also happen to be good at editing, even though I have never received a degree or certification in it. I just find ways to create the affects and looks I want in the film projects I get the pleasure of working on. When a client has a vision and demands certain things, I will find all the possible ways to creatively make it happen.

Recently, I became one of the Heads of Post-Production in a Media Agency called ‘Palabra Creative Group,’ an LLC, that was officially launched this year! And we have been receiving great clients/work from Organizations and Businesses in L.A. Part of our goal is to be of service to the community, through video content. We create a way to tailor their vision of what they have to offer to the public, and share the media content in a clean, professional and presentable way that helps them to better stand out. Hoping this company continues to grow. So far so good!

As for me personally, I’m excited for what the future has in store when it comes to both acting projects and directing ones. Each one that comes my way has become better and bigger. There is definitely a couple of editing projects I’m currently working on and hope to finish this month. I have a few stories I’ve been meaning to write, and writing takes lots of time. I will gearing up for a hermit season soon to be able to write and prepare to produce larger works that include Feature Films and a long form episodic series. I have also been focusing on fine tuning my dancing, singing and getting back into creating artwork pieces. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to fully express myself in these other forms of art. There are still so many creative things wanting to give birth! A lot more is coming soon and I’m extremely excited to share it all.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I believe it has to be the satisfaction of what it can do for people. I know during the pandemic, after I released the first film I had directed and edited, ‘Pure Modern Love’ (2022), I remember the feedback after the screening. It had touched so many people. It was a little escape, a moment of breath and a chance to feel something light. Especially when everyone was collectively feeling hurt or just not doing well. I know in hard times, for us as artists, it’s a way we can express ourselves and heal something in us, while at the same time, healing others that are able to witness or receive that very same message. I always hope the audience can resonate with something. Either within the story, the character or the world in which they can find some sort of relief in. If what I create can drive someone to change their life or outlook on things, that’s when I feel I have done something that mattered.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Most definitely! One of my greatest goals/missions that have steered my path to keep going, no matter what has come my way, has been to bring forth stories of my people that have not been shown yet. I know a lot of progress has begun on the representation of latinos on film and T.V., but I also hope to see more stories of great indigenous heroes I know of. So I am definitely writing more and more projects that will reflect that.
There are so many experiences I have had as a young Latina growing up in the U.S. that I have not seen on screen yet. And as I read more and more about other strong women in history, as well as strong indigenous women, I cannot help but make it a personal mission to have these real stories come to life so everyone can see.
I not only hope to act in more projects that are within these kinds of stories, but I also hope to direct my own personal projects and/or other scripts that align with this same desire.

I also hope to reach a high level of success at some point in my life that allows me to take care of my family. My dad and mom moved to the U.S. from Argentina back in 2001, so that my siblings and I could have a better future and more opportunities. I would like to treat them and thank them greatly in time. They have always supported my dreams as an artist and still do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katherinejespin.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katherinejespin/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katherinejanetespin/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-j-espin-1115b3227/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/katherinejespin

Image Credits

Headshot Photograph: Casey James ( @studiocaseyjames )
Red Carpet Photographer: Steve Escarcega ( @escarcegasteve )
Mobile Red Carpet Pictures: Theoni Bekiari-Pounds ( @theoni.bekiari )
BTS Stills on Directing and Acting: Emily Islas ( @gemimi.i )
Movie Stills from ‘RAZA’ Trailer, Director of Photography: Isabella O’Brien ( @home.skillet )