The Inspiration of Now
The Inspiration of Now
S1 E2 // Guest: Berenice Molina (Founder of From The Streets to The Set)
Berenice Molina is the founder of the casting agency “From the Streets to The Set” an agency with the mission to bring gang members off the streets and placed in films and tv shows. Check out all of Bernices work/projects and links to her work on our website:
Welcome to the inspiration of now podcast. I'm your host Timur Bootzin and my goal is to inspire you through the different perspectives of each guest. Our guests will vary from musicians, entrepreneurs, filmmakers, athletes, artists, you name it. Each episode I will be bringing on a new guest who I've been inspired by in one way or another. And want to share that inspiration with you. This season is proudly sponsored by Adam audio German precision engineered studio monitors for any studio size, shape, or budget on today's episode, I would like to introduce our guest Berenice Molina Valle. She's the founder of the casting agency from the streets to the set, with the mission to keep gang members off the streets and give them the opportunity in front of the cameras. I truly loved the mission behind her agency and also had the pleasure to work with her. And one of her clients, David Anthony,Miguel, welcome to the show. Berenice,
Guest: Berenice Molina:thank you for having me.
:Absolutely thank you for being our guests. So what I'm curious about Bernice is first of all, what does from the streets to the set stand for and what was the origin of your agency?
Guest: Berenice Molina:So what we do is we bring real people from the community who it takes interest in the arts, whether it be acting, rapping, singing, producing, directing, writing, and some just come from broken homes or a place where there's not so much opportunity for, for attention in the industry of Hollywood writer, any opportunity. And we see and take time to know which of that skill lays within each and every one of those individuals.
Host: Timur Bootzin:Right. And what was it that made you want to create from the streets to the side?
Guest: Berenice Molina:Really why I started this, um, was just to show that our people have skill and that doesn't matter the background you come from or the brokenness or the trauma, or become out of jail. Um, if you give someone a valid opportunity and a second chance that you most likely will respect you and run with it and you'll help them discover something in themselves that they didn't even know you had before. Right?
Host: Timur Bootzin:Right. That's and that's what I really love about what you're doing and your mission, because you are, you're giving opportunities that maybe without you having this agency or this foundation, you wouldn't have those same opportunities wouldn't have been created. And that's really,
Guest: Berenice Molina:You know, with the mission and the vision is
Host: Timur Bootzin:How did you get into this field in the first place?
Guest: Berenice Molina:At the time I was a gang interventionist, a counselor in the Rampart Westlake area. And, um, one friend of mine, he calls me and he's like, Hey, um, so there's this white lady. Right. And she's looking for guys, but yeah,
Host: Timur Bootzin:Just to clarify, she was looking for actors who looked like they could play the gang roles. Right.
Guest: Berenice Molina:Yeah. Okay. So I said, okay, sure. Give her my number. Um, and we spoke and she said, yeah. So, um, you know, I do casting and, you know, for this particular show, they want real guys, and I know that you were referred and you work with real guys in the community. So I said, most definitely. I could talk to these guys and see if they want to be open about it and go on and say, try something new. But, um, they agreed the seven guys that she picked out a greed and the condition was that I would remain on set as part of the deal. Right. Because, um, I knew at the time it was more like, we need to be sure that that's not a liability and stuff like that. So having me there would just reassure like maybe some, some re like, you know, security or whatever. But, um, these guys were on this particular set for three days in a role. And at the end of their, you know, small term, um, mr. Billy Bob Thornton at a time, that was the first big name that we had ever even worked with. Um, roll, you know, an email, very grateful as far as like the, you know, the background was professional, respectful, even knew how to act better than some of these, um, you know, professional artists. So he was really grateful. And, um, and from there, the same person was like, well, if they did good in this set, you know, let's start putting out the word. Then now we have, you know, someone that could help in that realm, right. That could get access to. So, um, I started being on set as a quote unquote consultant until I started speaking to people onset and actually letting them know a little bit about my life. And, um, and letting them know that I too came from that. So if they really needed a gang consultant, I could actually do the work. It's not just to have me sitting there watching over, um, you know, these guys. And I think that the more we were on set and showed the professionalism and we started gaining a reputation, um, then it wasn't required for me to be on set. They would just be like, Hey, can you send, you know, these guys and know they already know that there was some trust there. So, um, at the time I kept getting recalled on set and my employer wasn't having it cause I was out of the office a lot. So I know that the way I wanted to help our people, wasn't going to get done through the organization I worked with, not at least the way I wanted it. So I just took a risk and I quit my job. And I became a consultant on set for free because I just want her to be in the mix. Then as long as these guys and girls were getting paid, then I didn't really care. I mean, and as long as I was providing a space for someone, then I was getting a reward out of that. So I started getting more acquainted with people in the industry and reaching out and getting, you know, reading and, and just learning as I went. And today, you know, we are what we are, we haven't been, or an agency it's been years and years, but in the three years that we've been up and going, we've accomplished a whole lot,
Speaker 3:A lot, a lot. You guys have been on SWAT snowfall, nine 11, Goliath, the Mayans, and a handful of other projects, which is just amazing. It's so amazing. So, and I'm one of the things you said, you quit your job and you took this risk. What was it that made you take that risk particularly?
Guest: Berenice Molina:Um, you know what, the day I quit, my job was the, um, it was like a day or two after that we had came home from set. And I remember, um, the first time meeting, one of the guys, his child, right. Her, his daughter. And she came up to me and she's like, Hey, you're the one that puts my dad on, on shows. You know? And he's an accurate, you know, this child thought the whole world, like, you know, about her father. And, um, and you know, I think that when you see a child that is expected to see her father or her mother go down a pattern that we're used to in this lifestyle of ours and to be able to change that perspective of that child, that now this is not only a gang member of a father I have, or a felon or whatever, but now I have a father who's an actor, even if it's a background actor and he's in a different setting. Um, I think that's what they did for me. Like it did it to where I was like, I want to be able to give that hope to not only kids, but the person themselves that are on set, that they too could believe in themselves, that they too don't have to label themselves a gang member, a felon, you know, low life. Um, you could actually take your life experience and be empowered by it. And even though you are my, you might be playing a villain on screen. You're not out there doing it to the community or to someone else, you know, you're, you're putting in a project and, um, and eventually, you know, that's another thing we're trying to break the stereotypes of the roles we get, but a step at a time, you know, and I think that as long as these guys are being exposed to something different and that they know that there's way more out there than the block or them risking their life. Um, I think that a lot of us have wanted something different for our kids and, um, why not through this opportunity, if we could change our own ways and the direction that we, that we move and portray ourselves, then our children could have some type of hope and say, Hey, why could grow up and do that? You know, if my dad did it or my mom did it. And so it gives the child the bigger, um, a bigger mindset of like that there's more than just what you're exposed to or that, you know, those four walls or that block.
Speaker 3:Right. I never really thought of it in that aspect. Like, Oh, their kids are looking up to them like, like it's changing their mindset, which I think is so empowering and powerful just to hear that. Thank you very much. So your agency has been super successful. Your clients have been in a range of big films and TV shows. So what are some of the biggest challenges you had to face along the way?
Guest: Berenice Molina:Um, the clientele I was representing, you know, because, um, you know, some are not that young and the ones that are not that young have done, you know, hard, either hard or long time, like in the prison system and stuff like that. So when you look at these guys, you know, because of the life path they've lived, some of them are tatted from like head to toe, right? And like when you go in for an audition or whatever, for something serious, um, you know, stereotype and perception always plays a big part. And our biggest challenge is our challenge that we've faced so far is being taken seriously. You know, as in far as like, um, saying, you know, what, they could execute something serious, they could be disciplined, they could be focused, they could have some work ethic. Um, because normally when you look at a population with the one I work with, um, you know, you already have, you've already come in with some type of bias, right? So like, Oh, maybe they're lazy or they're going to be, you know, angry. Or if I tell them, you know, they're not gonna be approachable. Um, and that's not the case, you know, like, I think when, again, going back to the opportunity, just being open to it, you really get to see, um, these guys and women for who they are not for, um, what they've created to be, to protect themselves because we've all created some type of something on the outside to protect us. Right. But on the inside we're human beings, we feel, we cry, we go through pain, we go through struggles, we're family, people, we love hard, we're loyal. And, um, I think that's always been the challenge to be given a proper opportunity without the doubts before. Right. I feel like we have to work a little bit harder to prove the transition, um, than a person that doesn't look like us, you know? Right.
Speaker 3:I see what you mean. Well, I know for me personally, working with David, Anthony McGill and yourself, David was one of the most odd top of it. Like just not, not even speaking of his acting, which was amazing, but just strictly on his business, he was so professional. And I think a big part of that is because of you, Bernice, because you're instilling this mindset of being professional. And I think a big part of that has to do with your willingness and persistence to do so.
Guest: Berenice Molina:Thank you. You know, the, we have team meetings every month, we check on each person what they're doing, their projects, what their goal is with what they want to, um, what's the next step that they feel they're ready for in their career and know this holds accountability to them because then I'm checking every month, seeing what they're doing. And, um, and it keeps them doing something, you know, and if not doing something, then it motivates them to do something new or find something in them to start doing so, right.
Host: Timur Bootzin:I really like how you're staying up to date with all your clients and really looking out for their best interests and everything. And, uh, we're going to take a quick break and we'll be right back.
Guest: Berenice Molina:Alrighty.
Host: Timur Bootzin:This season is proudly sponsored by Adam audio. Adam audio was founded in 1999 in Berlin, Germany, since then the company has been developing manufacturing and distributing loud speakers in the field of professional audio. You can find precision atom, audio monitors, and a world class studios around the globe. We're back here with our guests, Bernice Molina via founder of the casting agency from the streets to the set. Welcome back. So preserver time that you felt like quitting and just stopping everything,
Guest: Berenice Molina:Um, all the time. No, no, no. Um, well, I mean that, wouldn't, that wouldn't be a lie, like there's rough days and there's good days, you know? And, um, I think that every time I felt like I was ready to kind of like throwing the towel and stuff like that was either when I heard that may be like one of the guys or, um, one of the girls either was back in jail or like was back on drugs or, uh, we've had two of our, um, guys that have been on set with us pass away. So it kind of like, have I questioned, like what I'm doing? Is it serving? Is it really making a change? Am I really doing the right thing? Am I wasting my time? Like these are things I've, I've thought of, of course, you know? Um, and have I thought about walking away of course, because I've created a bond with each and every one of these people. So when something happens and I know maybe some people would be like, this is why you don't mix, you know, personal with business and I get it. But, um, but I'm a human being and, and I've dealt with a lot of people being inhumane to me and I refuse to be that to anybody else. So therefore you do take these stories personally when they let you in their space and when they bring you into their family and they want to give you a piece of how they live and you get to love each individual. So when things go down or I feel like maybe one of them is being hard on themselves or ready to quit, it's like a, like a punch to the heart, right?
Host: Timur Bootzin:Yeah. You're very emotionally invested in them as individuals and as
Guest: Berenice Molina:Client understand, you know, I work with different gang members from different gangs and locations and backgrounds. So therefore, you know, if you think streetwise, some of these guys were even killing each other before they became brothers on set, you know? So, um, so that's why I take this very personal because it's not just an acting or it's a career. It's more like saving lives and changing lives and healing through the art.
Speaker 3:I think it's just changing a lot of lives per niece. And I think even though you're very humble about it and everything, I think you do have to take a lot of credit and because this is a big deal, what you're doing and at the same time, as you said, yeah, they're, they're also taking a big step out of their comfort zone as well, being a part of the agency and putting themselves out there. And I think, um, and speaking of which, what, why is it so important that a person steps out of their comfort zone? Why is that so important?
Guest: Berenice Molina:Why me, I'm a strong believer that you don't grow in your comfort zone. You have to step out of your comfort zone in order to grow. If I'm stuck in a place where I'm comfortable, and I know what the ins and out of it and how to feel and what I'm going to react and what I'm going to get over, then I conform I don't grow. So I think being able to be out of your comfort zone, it teaches more about you than it doesn't being else. So I think it shows you a strength. It shows you the ability that you're able to adapt to change. It shows you that you are in control of your mindset, right? Like your adapt to whatever the circumstances. And I think that it opens up even more doors, because if you're just secluded to a closed mindset or the mindset that you're been accustomed for so long, that's why we have what we see today. You know, unfortunately like discrimination, racism, stuff like that, because people are not open to things, you know, and open to change. So therefore stepping out of that comfort zone will only benefit you because it just challenges you, you know, to, to seek more than what you're used to seeking. So I think that's why it's very important. Okay.
Speaker 3:I really liked that. And stepping out of our comfort zones is super important. So you've stepped out of your comfort zones and you've achieved a lot of success. So I'd like to know a little more about Europe, right.
Guest: Berenice Molina:Um, so I was born and raised in Hollywood. Um, and my both parents, undocumented immigrants, my mom, Mexican, my dad's Salvadorian. So best of both worlds and some people best the both crazy worlds. But, um, I was a teen parent, you know, at 15 years old. And by the time I was 19, I was a mom to two now, today breaking all those cycles. Right. And like the stereotypes and the statistics, um, has been a challenge because it's like, how do you break or change something that you have been a part of for so long. Right. But growing up, like just, just being able to see the chaos that comes with a broken home and unhealed parents, right. And then end up carrying on some of these traumas. Um, you tend to, to shut down to the world and to love and to feelings. So just being able, you know, now I'm, I'm grateful now that I'm older, being able to identify those things that created the character that I am the hurt little girl that was suppressed for so long being, because of abandonment issues because of substance abuse because of domestic violence. And I never saw my parents hit one another, but let me make it clear just to educate some of the listeners that domestic violence doesn't necessarily mean just in a physical form, you know, it could be a put down, it could be emotional, spiritual, mentally. So, you know, I was around all of that, as crazy as this sounds, I feel like when people ask me what you change anything about your life, if you could. I say, absolutely not. And the reason is because it has shaped me into who I am today. It's given me the knowledge that I have today about many things and many like circumstances in life. And I've used all my life experience, not only as a troubled youth, but also as a child of undocumented parents. And then later on becoming the mother of an at risk youth in gangs, all of that, I've been able to incorporate into the lifestyle I run today and I'm able to be the example to other people. So I absolutely would not change anything of the direction that my life took or the life I was given. Right.
Speaker 3:I know we just scraped the surface on your life and everything, but just hearing that is just so amazing and eyeopening what you had to go through and everything. And what I'm really curious about is if you were, let's say 17, 18 at the time, and you got the, if you got the opportunity of what you're doing right now, do you think that would have changed your life?
Guest: Berenice Molina:Most definitely have an opportunity like this was presented. It would have been life changing. And I know that for a fact, because the same kid that now is my son at the same age, I see what it's done. And I seen how it's embraced him to want him to want more than the hood, you know? So I know for a fact it's something that is needed more in the community, you know? So I think we're creating that and we're proud of that. Right.
Speaker 3:And just knowing that you're actively changing the lives of your clients is something that's so inspirational to me. And what I like to do is end each episode with a quote that our guests has been inspired by. So what is the inspirational quote you've been inspired by Bernice?
Guest: Berenice Molina:Um, so it's something I heard from someone, but I'll never forget what he said to a group of kids. Right. And I don't know who he quoted, but it stayed on me and I've tried to look it up and I haven't found anyone, but I just felt like, Oh, maybe it was his thing. And, um, and you know, now I share it, but I always say, um, turn your test into your testimony and your mess into your message. That's it, you can't, you know, just that simple, it's really how the perception and how you take things that you are dealt with, you know, um, is what forms your character. So that's something I've always said, I keep on saying it. And I STEM from believer in it because I've been able to apply that to my own life. Right.
Host: Timur Bootzin:I really liked that interpretation of that quote and what it means to you and how it actively influences your life. So Bernice, thank you again so much for your time and sharing your story with us today.
Guest: Berenice Molina:Thank you for having me on here and always thank you for being, you know, a supporting aspect of our team and just believing in our talent. And, um, and you know, you're a prime example of what could happen when you give someone an opportunity. You know, David showed what he's capable of and, um, and I don't believe you were disappointed at all. So you took a chance, you know, and I think that's all I'm asking for any director out there, producer writer, anyone in charge of a project, take the chance and you won't be disappointed, you know? And, and that's what you did. And I thank you for that.
Host: Timur Bootzin:Thank you, Bernice. And just adding onto what Bernice was saying, working with her and with her client, David, Anthony, Miguel was just an amazing experience. But beyond that, working with David, he's such a talented actor and I'm so proud of him and he absolutely hit it out of the ballpark. If you want to check out his most recent film, go to Reflection short film on YouTube. So thanks again for being our guest today Bernice.
Guest: Berenice Molina:Thank you very much.
Host: Timur Bootzin:If you want to learn more about Bernice and her agency from the streets to the set, also known as URA casting, be sure to go to our website, the inspiration of now.com for all the links to her current projects and past projects. Thanks again for tuning into this episode of the inspiration of now. I hope you took away a new perspective and motivation from our guest. I want to thank Adam Audio for being the season sponsor and Ru productions for creating our theme song. On season two, we will be taking questions from our audience that our guests will answer. Go to our website, the inspiration of now.com. See how you can submit your questions. I look forward to our next episode and I'll catch you all on the next episode.