Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Liz Ortiz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Liz thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
Although daunting I am essentially happy as a creative. The only times I’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have a regular job would be when feeling vulnerable about being able to sustain my household as a single mother. I am at the point in my life and career to no longer be attached to outcomes or what if’s. I am here for a reason and every day my life reminds me of this. I no longer pursue happiness, but embrace the joy and gift happy moments. I pursue alignment with my best self, relief from making it this far and the grace to know I got this no matter what.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
As a native New Yorker I was fortunate to have life long exposure to the artistic and multicultural magnificence the city has to offer. I have been a casting director f0r 25 years and an indie film producer for 12 years often merging the two. I am passionate about indie film and theatre, supporting the stories of marginalized communities. I was a theatre major intending to specialize in stage directing. I would cast and direct plays often written by BIPOC/Queer/Disabled playwrights years before it was trending to do so. I was recruited to work at a Non-profit called the Non Traditional Casting Project which was an advocacy and liaison organization encouraging inclusive casting practices. During my time at NTCP, I began to get requests to cast small projects which evolved into me going out on my own and formed Casting Solutions which morphed years later into I Ain’t Playin’ Films.
The services I provide as a casting director is to save the creative team time by stream lining the casting process offering input and guidance. I have a clear understanding of the creative team’s vision, giving creative variations of talent options, access to conventional and unconventional talent sources, screening talent, organizing remote/in person casting sessions interacting with talent unions and representation, negotiating talent deals etc. As a producer, I do all of the above as I always the cast projects I’m attached to as a producer. Additionally I will hire crew, scout locations, apply for permits, seek investment, get insurance, arrange transportation, craft services, lodging, and being on set to ensure a smooth shoot.
The list of problems I solve for a team is endless. A few examples would be being a liaison with all the moving parts: creative team, production team, agents, unions, insurance brokers, rental houses etc. I have had to replace talent if they back out at the last minute or not delivering the performance the team had hoped for. Solving unexpected issues such as schedule delays, crew members being late, missing/stolen equipment etc, the list is endless.
I believe what sets me apart is my respect and appreciation for the process and the people involved. My instincts are spot on when it comes to casting actors or hiring crew and my heightened attention to detail. Problems are part of the process but they are minimized when one leads with respect and integrity.
I’m proud of a lot but most recently was the NY premier of the feature film Barrio Boy (which I cast and was a co-producer on) at the Warner Brothers /Discovery NY Latino Film Festival. After the talk back my 2 sons told me how proud they were, and how much they loved the film. That is a memory I will carry always in my heart.
I want people to know that I believe high value work is rooted in excellent writing, a talented and ethical team, scrappiness, resilience and pure intentions. If we follow our passion, trust our intuition to guide us, learn from our contrasting experiences with grace, the path will unfold somehow perfectly imperfect.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The mission driving my creative journey is to always lead with conscious and reflective casting practices. Conscious to the awareness of all the marginalized untold stories out there and to reflect how to encourage these narratives. If I remain steadfast in my mission then the impact will be enduring. As an educator, I currently am a faculty member of NYU/Tisch film residency at Stonestreet Studios, my mission is to support emerging creatives to embrace their niche specificity. My students amaze me through their talent, maturity and political/social awareness. I am hopeful and excited, knowing that the future of film, tv and stage are in the hands of a phenomenally brilliant generation.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I directed and produced a feature documentary called And…Seen which was about challenging mainstream perceptions about disability within entertainment. It was well received and won some awards. It took 5 years to make and the subject is a wheelchair user who got a spinal cord injury due to side effects of prescription medication. My 2 sons were school age at the time, my marriage was falling apart, I was homeless for a brief time and Jamie, the doc subject almost died to a relapse of her condition. I can’t tell you how we finished the film and survived but somehow we did. When I’m asked if the film is about disability, I say it’s a film about not giving up.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.IAintPlayinFilms.com
- Instagram: @LizOrtizNYC