Road to Stardom with David Firestone Season 2 Episode 3: Mariana Flores

[00:00:00] This podcast is brought to you by Casa de la Zissa. From Hollywood, California, the manager that we all love, David Firestone.

[00:00:34] This is going to be an exciting episode coming up. We have Mariana Flores, who is one of our really great talent, who is, we have lots of great talent, but she is really doing a bang-up job on the addition front.

[00:00:51] And so we're going to get into that a little bit. This episode's story is, a lot of stuff has happened over the last few weeks, and one of them is the passion of Gene Hackman and his lovely wife. Very difficult circumstances was what happened there, but I'm not here to talk about that, I'm more to talk about the incredible actor Gene Hackman and what a legacy he left behind.

[00:01:19] God, he hasn't been in a film for, I think it was 15, 20 years, it's been a while. And, you know, he comes from a generation and I knew very well, watched him come up in the movie business.

[00:01:32] From his role as Popeye and French Connection, incredible film. And then the Oscar winning performance as the sheriff in the Unforgiven, Clint Eastwood film. Incredible film, incredible performance. He's just one of those actors that is so iconic that we'll always remember him and his film that he performed in will stand the test of time.

[00:01:59] And I actually met Gene Hackman in a very unusual circumstance. There were a number of years ago, I don't have the date, I could Google and look it up, but we don't really need to have that information. He had an angioplasty type story. He was doing a film up in the Northwest and I was still not in the talent management business then, this was a number of years ago.

[00:02:28] And we were at an airport, I believe it was Portland, it may have been Seattle, I'm pretty sure it was Portland, Portland Airport. And I was there with an associate. We were sitting talking, having a coffee. And I just happened to be looking out across, outside the coffee shop into the airport area. We were in the, I think the departure area.

[00:02:54] And I saw a man come out of a doorway, I believe it was one of the airline clubs. And I looked at him and I said, that's Gene Hackman. And I thought, wow, he is like my guy. And I hesitated for a second because you don't want to get on an actor.

[00:03:17] And, but God, he's one of those people that has really had an impact on my life in terms of watching him perform, learning from him. And how he progressed his career in the business. Took him almost 12 years to really 13 years to get into some bigger projects. While he was learning the biz. And he started walking down, I believe towards one of the other terminals and knows exactly where.

[00:03:44] I yelled to my, I didn't yell, I said to my associate, I'll be right back. I didn't even tell him what I was doing. And I scooted off walking down the carpet, a part of the terminal. And I was trying to do it in a way that wouldn't spook him. I realized in my mind that he just probably might even be there because he had, I read later, he had an operation and not at that time, but he'd had an operation that came out in the press later.

[00:04:14] So I think he was there still recovering and just leaving that area because he had the operation up in the Northwest. And I believe it was to pull it near him. I'm not a percent sure of that. So, all right. I stalked him for a second, but in a nice way. And he turned left to go to one of the terminals. And I, he turned around and I walked up and said, hi, so-and-so. And he looked at me, he gave me that Gene Hackman stare. And what you, and he's very tall.

[00:04:41] I think he's six foot two, at least, at least to me, he was, I had to look up, maybe taller. I'd have to again, look at what his height really is or was. And he came with that Gene Hackman look, like the French connection look or the unforgiving sheriff look, like who are you and what do you want kind of look. And I just reached out and said, Mr. Hackman, I love your work. You're incredible actor. And I just like to shake your hand.

[00:05:11] And he reached out. I shook his hand. And that was it. I said, thank you. And I turned and walked away. He's just that guy. Just kind of like, well, you see him on the screen. That's the way he is in real life. Very serious. Vigilant. And wanting to like, why are you in my space? Because I'm, you know, that kind of a thing. So it's a great story.

[00:05:36] And I really will all cherish that moment when I think of him and watch some of the films that he is in. It's very sad. We lost a great man with him passing. But it seems his time was, was there. And he did live a long life. And the last years of his life, he had a chance to unfortunately didn't have dementia. But he did go back to do artwork in Santa Fe area. So hopefully he had some enjoyable creative moments and time while he was there.

[00:06:06] So with that said, we'll jump into the episode here very soon. Thank you. Have a great day. Maria, tell the kids to turn off that hippie shirt. Yes, ma'am. Catalina, me llamo Dr. Chance. And how many years? Nine. Can you ask them to describe the symptoms? What symptoms has she had? She fell.

[00:06:35] As if her feet could not hold her. She started to tembler and she didn't respond when we were with her. She fell down and was shaking. And she couldn't hear and didn't respond. And then when she came to, she said that she saw things that weren't there. Squeeze. Has this happened before? Push up. Push up. Yes. Yes. Yes, this was the second time. Patty. Here we go. Here we go. Oh! Oh!

[00:07:07] Okay. Has she ever been, uh... Has she ever been injured? Been hit on the head or lost consciousness? No. About the birth? Yeah. Difficile. Uh, he said there was no injury, but the cord was wrapped around her neck. Okay. Well, I think you can tell him that she's not dying.

[00:07:35] What probably happened was a part of her brain was deprived of oxygen and that could cause some problems, but it's treatable. So they have insurance? The cord on her neck, the oxygen's blood and the brain damage. But there's treatment that can improve. There is public health care in Mexico, but there is a lot of people. Oh! I can help with that. Mariana Flores! How the heck are ya? Hi! I'm good. How are you doing?

[00:08:05] Great! One of our star talent. She's been kicking, well, let's say kicking you know what for us. Yes, you can say it. There you go. You can be politically incorrect. Well, I can. So, hello, we've been, this has been going on a bit, right? Right, yeah. I think we started, I think before the pandemic started. And then the pandemic happened. Yeah, it was right before the pandemic. Right.

[00:08:31] And that's when Mariana joined Firestone Talent. And it's been quite a ride. It's been great to have Mariana on board. Mariana's a great actress. A very, what I love about Mariana is she's very diligent about her work. I'd like to say that about 100% for all of our actors, but I can definitely say that for Mariana. Mariana, she always does her addition, no matter what crazy addition we get her, she does it.

[00:09:01] No, thank you. I really appreciate it. Yeah. And Mariana has booked with us, which is really the best part, right? Yeah. Woo! Yeah! If I recollect, it was the Sympathizer. Yeah. Right. For HBO. For HBO, which is based on a book about bad times in Vietnam, kind of. And also, Paul Downey Jr. was one of the stars in that. Yes, he was. I really would have. Paul wasn't in your scenes though, right? I don't think so.

[00:09:31] It was just one scene. I mean, Robert Downey Jr., I'm so sorry, Paul. Robert Downey Jr. Yeah, it was just one scene, but he wasn't in it. But you know what? I really would have loved to see him because we were like, yeah, it would have been great. We were on set and I saw his chair and I was like, oh my God, this is so cool. Where is he? Where is he going from? That would have been awesome. Yeah. He's a great guy. I don't know him personally, but love his work. I love what he did in Oppenheimer.

[00:10:00] He deserved that Oscar for sure. He really nailed that role. It was a great film and everything else. So you've been with us then, it would be 2025, so six years, almost seven years. It's so cool. Oh my God, that's crazy. Isn't that crazy? That flies. That's right. But who's counting? No. I know you hate to count sometimes. When you start counting, you're like, wow. Firestone Talents, we're not this. It's our 13th year. Do you believe it? Oh my God, really? Yeah, yeah.

[00:10:30] We didn't always submit talent originally. I'm going to take these glasses off a second. They're annoying me, but it keeps my bloodshot eyes from showing on screen. But no, we've been out 13 years and we first started out with... That's awesome. We didn't really submit talent initially. We actually managed a band for a while and we had talent. We produced a short film. We tapped probably a bunch of our actors in at that time. This was like 2012. Wow. 2013. 2013.

[00:11:00] And so the first four or five years, we were kind of learning the business, you know, figuring out the pitfalls, the good things, the good, the bad, the ugly. And then that's about seven years ago is when we made the change to work, do the submission things on our own. So we had to join a talent management association, do a lot of things. And it was great that we were able to make that happen. So here we are, seven years later and grown by leaps and bounds. It's great to have you on board. Thank you.

[00:11:30] Yes. I'm glad I'm part of the team. Now, Mariana, you're originally from Mexico, right? Yes. I was born and raised in Mexico, Cabo San Lucas specifically. And then at the age of, I would think I was about to turn 20. I came, I moved to LA and I went to study. Yeah. I went to study to Estella Adler. I'm sure many of you are. Estella Adler. Yeah. You're Estella Adler gal. I think we've talked about this once before. Yes. Yes. We have another talent who went that route.

[00:12:01] Oh, that went to the Ash. It's all about imagination, right? Yes, exactly. That was the technique. Correct. That's their focus. Yeah. How long were you living? I love it. I was there for two years. I did the full program. Yeah. Wow. You know, as an immigrant, you have to have all your papers. So they help with the paperwork and stuff too. They do. They do. And after the two year, you get to apply for an OPT, but they give it to you for only six months, which is a working visa.

[00:12:31] I see. Yeah. It's cool, but yeah. Well, shout out to Estella Adler. I know. She's got a lot of great talent. She brought you in and you're with us now, which is great. Yes. So, and Marianna has gotten a lot of additions and she's been really diligent with her work. And I do have to scold you sometimes about your outfits though. Oh yeah. But I love it. I love it though. I take, I take, I take notes. I love it. It's like, I, even though I took, I have been taking classes and stuff. Like, it's always good to hear feedback.

[00:13:01] You know, it's always good to have notes and I'm like, you can do this. And I'm like, okay, that's good. As long as, as long as we're not too cruel and we're nice. No, I mean, as long as we work together. I think sometimes teachers can be worse than the managers when they critique their talent. I've been to some classes and I've watched and seen some stuff go on there, but that's all good. So, so you've been acting for then seven years or how long have you been acting? Oh, wow. Well, I think it's been over.

[00:13:30] If you count the studying, I would think it's more than 10 years already. More like 10 years, right? Yeah. It's more than 10 years. You did some work in Mexico too, right? Yes, I did. And, but the, but when I left my country, I didn't know anything about acting. I did some work after I did, I study and I started into the field and get to know how things work.

[00:13:52] So then when I ended up getting a manager in Mexico too, that she only represents me in Mexico right away. That's good to know. What are you talking about? No, no, no. Yeah, no. She, she stays in that side. Right. South of the border. Yeah. Yeah. No, she's great too. And she pitched me to this project that I did.

[00:14:20] The translation in English is the bad girl. Yeah. That's what you have up on your reel. That's one of them. Yeah. That's the one that I have that I'm like a soldier, like a revolutionary woman. Right. It is a period piece. It's a period piece. And I got the. Okay. Cool. Yeah. Where is that filled? That was filled in several parts of Mexico and we ended up flying all the way to Europe. Wow. Yeah.

[00:14:48] Friends, which it was amazing because I, it was in Paris. We ended up going to Paris. Oh wow. So that was a really good. Fantastic. Fantastic. And then you also had a scene next to a Hulu show. Oh yes. Hulu. And that's with Hugh Laurie. What is Hugh? Hugh Laurie. Hugh Laurie. Thank you. Hugh Laurie. Yes. The one from Dr. House. That was such a great scene actually. I, I, it was, it was a coaster too.

[00:15:17] Nevertheless, it ended up being like the scene of being longer than what I thought. Awesome. And then, yeah, it was such a good, such a good experience. Like you got to work with everybody and it was like so flexible and you could see how Hugh Laurie was like, you know, like we can do this and we can do that. I was like, oh yeah, this is very improvised, but okay, let's mix it up. That was great. No, it was, it was a good, it was a good. He seemed like a fun guy. Yeah. He very, very chill. Very chill. Excellent. Excellent.

[00:15:46] That was probably a great experience for you and I'm glad you had that. It's nice. Actually, that was my first co-star. Really? That was my first co-star. Wow. And yeah, it was such a good experience. I'm really glad you have that tape. It's this great reel. That's what we talk about with some of the younger actors and others who are aspiring to this crazy business, but we love it. Mm-hmm . Is, you know, got to get a reel together. Got to have a reel. Right. And you've done a really great job in a short time here with assembling some really nice

[00:16:16] materials. And especially with the Hugh Laurie tape that really helps out a lot. Right. When we're marketing and also submitted you, because it shows that you, you can, you can act, you have chops at next. Thank you. Thank you. You're doing my best. You're welcome. You're welcome. CDZ Collegium Musica is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

[00:16:45] It is a kind of school of music, a concert series, and an agency that promotes the musicians, dedicated artists, and educators who we feature as our performers. The goal of the Collegium is to bring community together through music performance.

[00:17:10] These performances vary in musical style from classical to jazz, and music from different parts of the world, from India to the Middle East, that'd be like Persia, and Japan, and China. The goal is to also educate us to how music functions, not so much as a musical universal language,

[00:17:37] because there are differences in the way that these languages of music are expressed, but to educate us to be able to be more appreciative, not only of the music, but the culture it represents. And by doing this, it brings community together.

[00:18:14] So, you've been at it for 10 years now, and one of the things that you usually like to talk about on here is for aspiring actors, people who are coming into town or coming from somewhere else in the country or from out of the country. What do you think is a good place to start? Where would you recommend? You mentioned classes, or what do you think? Right.

[00:18:35] Well, in my experience, because I saw it, I saw it with many students at Stella Adler, that they wanted to stay because they wanted to keep working on your craft. And yes, I do agree. You have to keep working with your craft, but you have to leave this school. I think it's that comfort zone. It is nice. You know everybody, but there are no new challenges. You're going to stay there and you're going to be stuck. And I knew that from the very beginning.

[00:19:04] So what I did is that six months prior my student visa finished, I just went out. I just had to go out. I started auditioning, started booking roles. Just like go out, see how it is. Start knocking doors and see. Like, I don't know. I don't know if I'm going to book it, but you know what? I'm going to give it a shot. So I did that. I, as painful as it was to try to get out of my comfort zone because you know, you know,

[00:19:32] all your classmates, all your teachers are going to baby spoon you, you know, and they're going to tell you, you're great buddy. And the fantastic, you know, I mean, I knew, I knew that, but then I knew that the world or the industry wasn't going to be like that. So I would encourage everybody to just like try to try your best, your best to just get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself and knock on doors. That worked for me.

[00:19:59] And then also, yes, keep working on your craft. Keep taking classes. I, I take, I have taken classes with Scott Sedita acting studio. I don't know if you're familiar with it, but he is. Let's say it again. A Scott Sedita acting studio. Scott Finita. It's called Sedita. The detail. Okay. I'm not familiar. It's good to give a plug. He, he, he's very good. He's very good. He has, I think he has already now three books.

[00:20:27] One is in comedy and the other one is, uh, I think how to make it in Hollywood. And I don't, I haven't seen the third one, but he's very good. He used to be a manager too. And now he's a teacher. Uh, yeah. And another one is Graham shield. Say it again. Graham shield. Graham shield. Yeah. Now he's a private coach or he's actually, no, he's actually an actor too. Oh, he's an actor. He's a working actor. Cool.

[00:20:56] And, uh, he also teaches very good. Both of them. Yeah. Those are great plugs and Graham's field. You said, is that correct? Uh, uh, uh, Graham shield. Graham shield. Graham shield. S H E E I L D. Yeah. I'll text them to you too. Yeah. And just as a disclaimer for the show, we, we, I don't really know those two, but if Mariana endorses us, I'm sure they're good, but they're do your research. I think that's the other thing I wanted to ask you, you obviously did some research on

[00:21:26] schools and coaches before you came to the U S or. Oh yeah. Yeah. I did. Uh, cause I actually wanted to go far away from Mexico, but my dad was like, no, no, no. You're crazy. What are you talking about? No. Okay. Well, where are you going to go? Anyways, the closest one from Mexico, especially Cabo. Well, what's LA and I. Yeah. Let me, let me just explain to your viewers being from Cabo is not really being from Mexico. Okay. A lot of people. I could call it a certain town.

[00:21:56] I mean, I won't say, but there's a lot of Americans that hang out down there. No. Yeah. It's very, it's a, it's a very beautiful. It's a beautiful spot. It's lovely. Yeah. It is very touristic. Um, but yeah, I had to get out though. I had to get out. My mom, my sisters can't handle it. I had to get out. So I ended up bumping into Stella Adler and I knew, and you knew your film Academy was out there too. And there was another one, but I don't remember the name. It's on sunset.

[00:22:25] But those other two schools, they were more expensive than Stella Adler. Oh. So when I pretty much end up giving my dad a budget of look dad, this is, this is what, how much they charge and yada, yada. But that helped out. Okay. Exactly. He was like, okay, let's do it. Yeah. Now, now one question, where did you, how did you research? Did you go online? Did you talk to people you knew in the U S or just through his face? No, I just like pretty much. I just went into the internet.

[00:22:52] I was like, action schools on Los Angeles. And you were looking for schools that could help with your visa process too. Correct. Funny. Um, not really like the school, the school already had that in there for international students. So in their website. So I was like, okay, this is, this is really makes it making it really easy for me. So it was the, like a huge plus, you know? Right. So you did your research, got going and came to the U S.

[00:23:20] And I remember there was a period of time when you were in a little flux. Was that after COVID when you had the, you're trying to get a green card. Is that correct? If I were right. Oh yes. Yes. Uh, that was the whole year of 2000. What is it now? 2025, 2024. 24. Yeah. Well, I, the whole process was in 2023. Okay. I believe. I'm screwed. Sorry.

[00:23:47] My, my time is like, it was, it was, I don't even know if it wasn't 2022. And then I ended up getting 2020. I don't remember, but it took like a whole year for the whole process to be approved. Right. And the whole, like all the projects that I have built, all the work that I have done, like, I pretty much like, there you go. Here it is. Please. And that was like one of the most happiest days of my life. Like I even cried, if I may say like, and I was thinking with a lot of my hair making

[00:24:16] me so happy right now. It does help with the submission process. No. Yeah. Because prior the green card, I had three O ones. And in case you do not know each O one is a three years. But for me, for me, not every country does this. The embassy of United States does this to every country. For me, they give it to me for a year.

[00:24:42] So every single year I had to go to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico to renew my O one. Yeah. So I, it was, yeah, it was a hustle. Yeah. A lot. A lot. A lot of money too. I'm glad I didn't have to do that. Yeah. So, so you got your book sympathize with us, which was awesome. How'd that make you feel? Yeah. Oh my goodness. I felt really good. I felt really good.

[00:25:09] I was, if you feel like realized, you know, like you're like, Oh, another achievement. Like, yeah, right. Yeah. Like, like, honestly, it may be not like a major role, but it's like, it's a good role. You know, I think it's a co-star and people do not know this, but they say, they say that coasters are so easy, but they're not. Coasters are not easy. No, each role is tough. And that's the part I was leading into. It is.

[00:25:39] It is. But you really. After you have the euphoria of that role, which is great. Yeah. Oh yeah. Of course. You can steal a TV name from a show, Euphoria. Did you, how do you keep yourself motivated now that you're back, kind of back in the grind is what happens really, you know? Right. Oh, well, I think it's important to like, to do some physical exercise. I love working out. Okay. That's one way.

[00:26:05] Another one is that I'm really into spirituality work. I really love that. Meditation helps calm yourself out so much. And words of affirmation. I mean, words of affirmation. Words of affirmation. Words of affirmation. Yeah. That really does the trick on me too. Like it's, it's yeah, because I mean, acting is just a part of my life. You know, there are so many other parts.

[00:26:35] There's so many areas that I need to take care of. That's true. Uh, and yeah, those three things, like even eating balance, you know, it's like, okay, okay. You can go in and out today. It's okay. But next day, you got to keep up. Back on it. Yeah. Yeah. I don't have that problem too much. I do what I want, but no kidding. I don't do that.

[00:26:59] I really do try and, uh, especially as you mature in life, you have to, uh, take care of your diet and not to have too many burdens. Yeah. You have to, you have to. Okay. Well, that's really an interesting way. That's the first time I've had it described though. I like the concept of the physical activity because I mean, they're working out the exercise. I don't think a lot of enough. Some actors don't necessarily focus on that enough. There are some that do that. We have one actor who always is working out almost every day.

[00:27:27] And he goes and does this Taekwondo or he does a, every almost, I think it was every day he goes out in the morning and does that. Not all actors do that. That's cool. Not saying you have to do that, but I think exercise does help relieve stress and keeps you in better shape, obviously. So yeah. Yeah. I heard it was hard to continue that when you've got the daily grind of just keeping yourself going.

[00:27:51] Now you obviously have worked out a situation in between gigs of financing yourself. And I guess you have certain things that you do on a part time basis to keep yourself right. Right. Well, I have had so many jobs at this point. I have learned, I think I have put myself out in the world and I have learned that I'm capable of doing so many other things. And I really like about, uh, uh, really liked that about myself because it even pushed

[00:28:21] me to, okay. How about directing? How about producing? How about writing too? It really, I even, I, I forgot to mention this. Uh, I went to LACC. I don't think, I don't know if I ever mentioned this to you in the past, but I went to LACC and I did another two year program about everything that is behind camera. Oh, good, good. Yeah. Yeah. So where did you go to school for that?

[00:28:49] LACC, Los Angeles Community College. Okay. Gotcha. Yeah. That there's a great program over there. That's the one downtown, right? Well, I think, uh, yeah, there's one near town, but I think there are several. Okay. Several locations. Yeah. Yeah. But yeah, it's, it's, it's, it's a hustle. Like you trying to make it in the industry as an actor and, uh, fighting for a role. And it's like, Oh God. And you get frustrated. It's like, okay, you don't find it. You don't get it. You didn't book it.

[00:29:19] Write your own stuff, write your own stuff, work on your ground. Uh huh. And then you expand yourself. Right. So I really discovered that on myself because I even work as a production assistant and assistant, and I, I actually, I feel like I shine there too, because even the, my, the head of the production was like, you are great. Like, honestly, like everything that you do, when I tell you to bring it, you bring it. When you tell me to give me something, you get it. Like, and I'm like, well, thank you. Thank you.

[00:29:46] So I realized, you know, those tiny little things that, okay, maybe I'm, I'm good at production, producing. Maybe I can, I can get stuff done. Maybe I can, you know, get gather allocation, gather a crew. Maybe I can do all those things too. Right. So I learned how to expand myself also in this area. And I really liked that. Excellent. That's excellent. Now, how did you become SAG? Oh, how did I become SAG?

[00:30:10] So I end up getting, I believe I ended up getting several commercials because the Hispanic market market here is so heavy, you know? Right. Um, I think I ended up getting like two Honda commercials. And I don't know, cause I think after three, you have to become SAG-AFTRA. Three afters. Yeah. Yeah. And I, I don't remember what else was it that I booked that, that then I was like, okay, yeah, you have to become SAG-AFTRA.

[00:30:40] But pretty much because of commercials. It became a must join. Yeah. Yeah. That was basically you ended up working commercial shots that got you, um, into the SAG-AFTRA. That's what got you with the vouchers. Pretty much. Yes. Yeah. It wasn't really doing background, it was doing commercials. It was interesting. Yeah. Background. No, no, no. I have, I'm not opposed to doing background, but I, I don't think I'm allowed, right?

[00:31:10] Which is good. No, I'm not judging. Not allowed to do background? Well, you are allowed to do background. They have SAG background actors. No, no, no. But I'm saying, I'm, no, no, no, no. I mean, some actors do make a living off of that. Right, right. No, yeah. And that's fine. Some actors do make a living off of that, right? So. No, yeah. And it's great. I know a lot of people that have, they made their, uh, income or they're able to pay their bills through background and that's fantastic.

[00:31:38] But I do know, like for instance, I have a, I don't know if I mentioned this to you, but I also have a, my agency is Aqua. Aqua talent agency. Aqua talent. Uh, Kearney. So Kearney is my, yeah. Kearney is my, my agent. Right. I ended up getting them, um, last year, last year at the beginning, at the end of last year. And she said like, no background work.

[00:32:02] Like she was talking about the resume, but the only issue with doing background work, if you do get on a show and they feature you, then it's hard sometimes to, cause then you, they, they know that you've been on that show. So they won't necessarily hire you because it's almost like you've been on the show already. Okay. That makes sense. Yeah. With doing background work, not, but if you do it the right way without being featured, you just want the people walking around, they're not going to identify you. Right.

[00:32:32] So that is probably maybe one of the reasons I said, don't do any background work because if you get featured, they really like you. If you, then say it's whatever show it might be like sympathize when you were featured doing background, they might not be able to hire you. Right. Right. That's maybe where they're coming from. Okay. But to me, irregardless, and they have every right agents to say that what they think is the right thing to do, you gotta make a living. And the background work helps you to do that.

[00:33:01] I don't see, just be careful how you do it. Right. Okay. Yeah. Don't try to stand out. Yeah. Right. So then they could get you for a feature that you would maybe not be able to be on that show. Okay. Because they always got the camera on their captioning people's faces. Right. Right. Right. That's why they said that. And that's not, and also agents and it's correct.

[00:33:27] And we feel the same way that it's not something you can put in your resume because you're just not really considered a SAG credit. Right. Okay. Even though it's, you could argue differently, but officially or unofficially speaking, that's how agents and managers look at it. So. I see. Okay. Good to know. Yeah. That's some good tidbit for some, some actors out there that we're talking about.

[00:33:55] So I like the way you're looking at different sides behind it because I think it helps actors to have their perspective of what goes on behind the camera, so to speak, in terms of the production side of it, because then they better understand the process, right? Mm-hmm . Of how actors are cast and what happens with that. And it's tough because sometimes actors don't quite understand that and they get frustrated. Why aren't they getting into a role? Well, it's because X, Y, Z has nothing to do with you. Mm-hmm . The production is who they're looking for.

[00:34:23] It's the mix and match with the other actors. It's the look. It's the age. There's a lot of factors that go into making a decision, which sometimes it's, even though the actor may have done a great job. And that's why we always tell you, and that's what I love about how you do your work is it's always about the witness, the addition. You just focus on doing the addition and giving a hundred percent and representing that role as you see it in the best way that you can. Right. And that's your job. That was exactly what I was going to say to you.

[00:34:52] Like, at this point, I still do not know sometimes what production companies want. What is it what they're looking for? I have no idea. You don't? So when I get a new size. Sometimes they don't know. They don't know. Exactly. They're not sure. That's why I'm looking at a bunch of people. Exactly. Exactly. That's exactly what I said sometimes to my older actors friend. It's like, friends, it's like, just, just, you got the size. You just do it. What your gut is telling you to do what you think you should be doing.

[00:35:21] And then just go by your instinct and that's it. Right. And if they like it, you might get a call back. You may never hear of that from them. And that's fine too. That's good advice. Yeah. That's your older actors friend. And the most important thing I would say is just let it go. If you, if you didn't hear from them, if you heard from them, still let it go. Just go with the flow. Cause. Oh my gosh. Thank you for saying that. Thank you very much. I didn't have to even prompt that from you. Thank you so much. Oh my God. No. Yeah.

[00:35:50] I've learned that. I've learned that. I learned that in like the first couple of years of acting or just knocking on doors and doing auditions. Like, you know what? I'm not going to worry about it. I know I did good. And it felt like they congratulations are like, oh my God. That was so good. And you never heard from them. And then the other way around. Now, one thing I noticed a little bit about Mariana Flores is that you don't do a lot of networking. You don't really, and that maybe I'm wrong about that.

[00:36:17] And that, I think that'd be one good thing you could add to your bucket unless I'm wrong. I mean, cause you do meet people. Right. At some of these red carpet events. Now we invited you to one of you came and I really appreciate that. It was a while ago. Yeah. It was a while ago. Um, I used to, I just said, sometimes I feel like my social skills are like, not on the floor, but under the carpet.

[00:36:44] I should, I should, I have to say that I should be just doing more networking. So yeah. Take your glasses off. Take your glasses off. Put the hair down. I'm kidding. I love your glasses. But put that red carpet gown on and get out there. But no, we're all very busy. And it's just something I had. Sometimes I have to force myself to go out when I go out. But then again, you never know who you might be and connect with. I could lead to something in the future. And that's how you're a very connected person.

[00:37:14] I think you, you really are though. I think like that you all the time, like trying to move and be someplace and like, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I love to stay in my cave or my man cave. It's not really a cave. Okay. It's like, it's not like that, but I'm kidding around, but sometimes you just gonna have to force yourself and go out. Right. Right. Sometimes I just don't want to do it. And, but I had to moderate.

[00:37:42] I did a lot more when I was first starting the business. I don't do as much as I used to, but it's still good to go out. Cause you never know. Get the sunlight. Where you might meet. I mean, I got drug out to a few weeks ago to a, it was some kind of a gathering and I was tired. I didn't, and it was a last minute thing. I just didn't want to go with that. Well, I owe this guy, I owe this person a favor because he was stuck with me together. And I went and I got connected with a great guy with a really, that's making a difference

[00:38:12] in our, in our business now. So you just never know. That's the long, right? That is true. That's the only complaint I have about Mariana. I'll work on it. But I think that you do an awesome job. Just keep doing what you're doing and fit in what you can. Most important things to keep food coming to the table before anything else. And that's why those odd jobs you're doing are important. Right. No, yes. I agree. You covered a lot of things like mental health.

[00:38:41] I really love the way you're handling the attitude part with the exercising, the diet and being disciplined and doing all those things. And the meditation, I think it's something people could do a lot more of. I really like that concept because acting can be, as you know, a lonely, a lonely job, so to speak in quotes. Yeah. So you and the camera, when you're doing self tapes and maybe a reader, of course, you're not even on camera, even aren't physically there anymore. They're on a lot of them. Right. They're on Zoom too.

[00:39:10] So, and that was especially hard, obviously, when COVID was around. But at least now you can go out and do this. So I think what you're doing is really great stuff for actors. And I think also now then going out and having to drink is not a bath. Yeah. And just letting loose. But I don't recommend that for everybody at all. That's the now and then thing. And that's not for everybody. But however you, whatever you decide to do, it's important to do those things, to relax yourself and have a good time, so to speak, whatever that may be.

[00:39:39] But discipline is very important to have that discipline every day. So to keep doing all those things you need to do, you keep yourself in shape, eat well, and have a schedule. I love having a calendar for me. That's what I love doing. Right. Sometimes I get lazy like this week was not a good calendar week for David. And it's okay, though. It's also good to be flexible, too. You have to be flexible. This is a very flexible week for David this week. That's good, too. We should never finish ourselves.

[00:40:09] I'm not sure why, but I made sure yesterday, I wrote my notes down about what I'm doing the rest of the week. That's why we're on here. Otherwise, this may not have happened. You know, we covered a lot of stuff. I'm trying to think what else would be good to talk about. You covered a lot of ground with your answers because you really have it together. I think the most important thing, or you're welcome. The most important thing is that in this business is the diligence part.

[00:40:35] You have to keep doing the auditions, even if you don't like them, even if you don't think they're right. Right. Sometimes I'll get, well, I'll get texts saying, well, I don't really, not really that age. And I don't think, well, don't worry about it. Casting would not have given you an audition if they didn't think you might be right for the role. You wouldn't have gotten the audition. No matter what age or nationality. They must have seen something. Yeah, they've seen something that I think might work for the role. So just do the audition anyway.

[00:41:05] Yeah. So I greatly appreciate that. Yeah. The way you handle yourself. And we have a new production that you're going to be part of, right? And, um. Oh yeah. How is that going on? With Alex? It's going well. Good. We're just, we're just, um, working on all the scenes and I guess I can say Spike returns. I'm not giving anything away. Still top secret, but we're working on some of the scenes. We, we, we hope that we're going to start filming next week and we'll see. Nice.

[00:41:34] Your particular scene will not be in that particular, your particular role would not appear in that scene. So it'll be sometime in the near future. I just don't have a handle on your scene yet. So. Okay. So that's, that's great. I think that we've covered a lot of ground here. I'm trying to think of any other, anything else that you would like to say about the business or about what actors can do to get into it and keep going. Any, any more thoughts in that arena that might be.

[00:42:04] Oh my goodness. Well, for me, I would say it goes along with the, what do you do to keep yourself encouraged or to decompress? And it's going to sound a little bit corny. But I would say that just have faith, honestly, like it's okay. I mean, it's fine. You're going to be pushing yourself through many things.

[00:42:34] And it's okay. If they do not work out. It's going to be okay. Honestly, it's, it's, there are going to be some tough situations, maybe not because of acting, but other things that will get in your career and will have a, it will not let you, let's just say, I don't know, book a role or it got complicated or you were between this person and yourself. And you didn't get it and it's okay.

[00:43:04] You know, actually, when we were on the meeting, do you remember, I don't remember her name. It was Alex and the, the, the other girl in front of me. Oh, shoot. My goodness. I spent the whole afternoon talking with her. She's in really nice. She's your talent too, by the way. She's also a fire. Are you talking about Michelle? I mean, Melissa, Melissa Plecum? Is she a black hair? She's, she's, she's, yes. She's, she's been, she's Melissa. Oh, okay. Okay. Yeah.

[00:43:33] She was sitting at the other table, right? Right. Right. Yeah. She was, she was talking, she was talking to me about. Shout out to Melissa. Melissa Plecum. Right. Right. She was talking to me how it was, if they were to, they were about to pick her, her, it was between her and another person. And she ended up, she didn't end up getting it. And I was like, oh, that sucks. But you know, that's how it is. This is how it is. It's like, you're, I've been in situations like, okay, there's no one here. Right. And then it's me.

[00:44:01] And there's like in the callback and it's like, Oh, do you remember also the callback that I had in Mexico during the pandemic? I had two callbacks via zoom. Wow. Two callbacks via zoom. And I was like, like I nailed it on the second callback. It was so good. The director was so good. Like he was so happy. Like Mariana, you did so great. And I didn't book it. Yeah. It's just, it's just like, you gotta, yeah.

[00:44:29] It's always a new beginning for actors. Yeah. And those moments you gotta keep pace. There's just so many other factors which are out of your control when you're right about that. Right. Right. So one last question for you, Mariana, you've been great. Thank you so much for coming on. What's your dream? What's your dream with your career? What is it you'd like to achieve? What do you, I went behind the scenes, but what do you really want to do? What are your thoughts right now with that? Tough question, I know, but just curious what your thoughts are. Right.

[00:44:58] Well, I think if I just say that we'll make it in the industry, it's going to sound very cliche. I think, I don't know, but I'm starting to write. I've been starting to write my own projects and I'm working on one in particular. And I really, I guess I would like to share light into some subjects or ideas that I don't think they're being talked to.

[00:45:28] That they're there in the world of people that are not conscious about those ideas or or those. I don't know. How do you say like things that are happening? Let you know, like how there are problems in the world. Right. You want to share some insight or light with light into the world. Yeah. I would say I would like to do that. Is it because of my acting or because I'm writing or because I'm directing or producing? I just would like to share some light into the world. Okay. Okay. All right.

[00:45:58] And I'll, I'll, that'll be, if I end up getting an Oscar, that'll be great. Wow. Well, yeah, that's, that's added Benny on top of the thought there. Yeah, for sure. Well, keep me updated about that. Maybe there's something to help that. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Well, Mariana, any other things you'd like to chat about while we're on here? Well, I would say thank you so much for having me. Oh, it's been, it's been great. Thank you.

[00:46:23] You're one of our, careful how I say that, but again, you're a very diligent actor. Thank you. And I think because your diligence and the way you look at the world, that that's why you get that co-star booking. Now, when we're going to get the next one, who knows? Right. But we just keep at it and keep going and see what, where the path leads us. Right. Yeah. Thank you. Mariana. Thank you. And we'll talk soon. Bye.