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SRQ DAILY Oct 7, 2015

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"I started writing because I got so tired of being stereotyped."

- Luisa Leschin, television writer/producer
 

[Film]  Screenwriter Luisa Leschin Visits Ringling College
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Sarasota County Film and Entertainment Office and Ringling College of Art and Design hosted Luisa Leschin, Hollywood actor, writer and producer, in Ringling’s Academic Center last night to address local filmmakers and aspiring creatives and students. But before taking the stage, Leschin made time to share her own circuitous path to find success in the face of adversity and what Ringling students can learn from her story as a Latina and budding screenwriter at a time when Hollywood still hadn’t caught up to the Latin experience.

Now a successful screenwriter with seven television pilots under her belt and writing credits on six syndicated shows, Leschin says the path wasn’t always easy or clear. Beginning as a dancer, Leschin first parlayed her skills into a small role in Saturday Night Fever, taking acting lessons in New York and doing commercial work at a time when companies would often make two at a time—one for mainstream America and one with a Latino actor for Latino audiences—but finding roles was still a problem.

Leschin found work in film as an extra, but noticed a disturbing trend. A vast majority of the roles for Latina women were reserved to prostitutes, maids and pregnant teenagers. “That’s why I started writing,” said Leschin, whose first work was a stage play entitled Latins Anonymous, featuring herself and three other frustrated actors airing grievances in comedic fashion and in the style of Alcoholics Anonymous. Absurdism peaks when one apologizes for being Latino but not speaking Spanish.

“I got so tired as an actress of being stereotyped. My advice is to develop your own story.” It’s literal and figurative advice, she said; by owning her identity, she forged a path, and by taking command of the writing aspect of her craft, she brought it to fruition. That first attempt, Latins Anonymous, was a hit, putting Leschin on the radar as a writer, while temporarily killing her career as an actor when casting directors stopped calling for stereotypical roles and few were left.

“At that point, I had to decide if I wanted to push the Latina aspect of myself,” said Leschin, and she did, quietly and gradually trying to change the status quo. “You have to give that drop of medicine, but within the confines of where you work.” One of her first successful shows, The Brothers Garcia, told the story of a well-to-do Latino family dealing with everyday life in America. “And that was subversive,” said Leschin, in eschewing stories of gangs and drugs for a different vision of Latino families in the United States. “This is what’s driving me, because I suffered through 20 years of acting these stupid parts.”

Today, Leschin looks back on a filmography that includes hit shows such as George Lopez, Everybody Hates Chris, an Emmy-nominated season of East Los High and two ALMA nominations for writing, and looks forward to new shows such as From Dusk Till Dawn and Just Add Magic, getting digital distribution through Netflix and Amazon, respectively.

“The most important thing is that, in this business, there is no one path and you never know what it is that will lead you to the next thing,” said Leschin of what she wanted students to take away from the night's event. “I started working and haven’t stopped for 15 years.” 

[Good Bite]  Tsunami Hits Its Stride
Kaye Warr

There’s a reason you’ll often find the dining room and sushi bar at Tsunami on Central packed with happy patrons on any random weeknight—the food is excellent and the service is on par with any white tablecloth establishment I’ve visited. If you’ve yet to try Tsunami and are daunted by a large menu when “everything sounds so good,” allow me to pass on the wisdom of my friends George Capello and John Sciara, Tsunami regulars and my own personal arbiters of good taste. Begin with the Honeymoon, which is a jalapeno stuffed with crab delight and cream cheese, tempura fried and topped with eel sauce and spicy mayo—creamy and crunchy and yummy—and then order a Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice for the table—just do it. As for the specialty rolls: you can’t really go wrong but I love the Stephanie Roll, which features spicy escolar, cilantro, pine nuts, seared peppered tuna, avocado, jalapeno, onion and chili oil. The sashimi is always fresh and meaty and there’s always an inventive special to try.  

Tsunami Sushi and Hibachi Grill, 100 Central Avenue, No. 1022, 941-366-1033

[Exec Moves]  Vigne to Lead Education Foundation

The Education Foundation of Sarasota County Board of Directors announced the appointment of Jennifer Vigne as the organization’s new executive director.  Vigne succeeds Susan Scott, who is retiring in January after four years leading the organization. Vigne is a prominent development professional from the Sarasota-Manatee nonprofit community who most recently served as Mote Marine Laboratory’s campaign director leading an ongoing $50-million comprehensive campaign. She also guided the successful completion of Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School’s campaign, which resulted in a new middle school as well as overall growth in its philanthropic advancement efforts while she served as the school’s director of Marketing and Development.  

Education Foundation of Sarasota County

[Exec Moves]  New Associates Join Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick

The law office of Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick announced Brandon M. Taaffe and Charles A. Wood, Jr. have joined the Sarasota office as associates in the Broker-Dealer Litigation and Arbitration and Data Breach Practice Groups. Taaffe and Wood both received juries doctorate degrees from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Taaffe received his bachelor’s degree from Trinity College and Wood received his from Boston College. 

Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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