Marcos Luis has always been involved in the arts from the time he could speak. Coming from a musical and artistic family, it was inevitable that he would choose to pursue the field of Entertainment. Growing up listening to his grandfather’s music group performing in a weekly radio show and going to see his mother on stage in various theatre productions as a child, Marcos Luis caught the acting and music bug early and wanted to do the same.
By seven years old Marcos, the youngest kid, his sister and two cousins formed a singing and dance group and performed every chance they got at any people gathering. Thier group “TLA & T” won several talent competitions around the city. In grade school, Marcos was in every school play as a main character which later gave way to his as a Host on a Kids TV show in middle school, and fast forward to creating and hosting his music show called OneMicNite™️ for 12+ years as well as the MC for many other live events .
indieactivity: Did you study what you did?
Marcos Luis: I studied , studied, and studied my craft. There is always something new to learn in this business, especially with the ever changing technology and techniques in film and acting. My college, Northwestern University prepared me well for Theatre, film, acting, music and dance with a very comprehensive 4 year program of training and opportunities to perform with a brilliant and renowned teacher, Ann Woolworth. While in school, I also did an internship in theater management with a prominent Chicago professional company to learn more about the challenges of the industry’s business aspect and what it entails to run a theater company.
indieactivity: What is your filmmaking process?
Marcos Luis: My acting teacher in college taught The Meisner Technique as the basis of our program. We were introduced to other methods along the way as we studied classics like Shakespeare and Greek Myths, such styles and techniques as Kabuki , Stanislavsky and later I learned Grotowski. All different ways of relating body to matter and energy in performance.
indieactivity: Tell us about the work you have produced?
Marcos Luis: The range of my work varies. From producing long running music shows, comedy shows, musical, drama, and comedies. From suspenseful wrenching narratives to heart-warming musical films that make you happy and cry. Whether actually producing the film or acting in the film it is a chance to help tell a story of a specific journey with the viewer and hopefully enlighten ,question , or ignite a necessary conversation about an important issue in our world. This, is our job as an actor, a filmmaker , and an artist.
indieactivity: Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Marcos Luis: Taking classes are very important. The learning process never stops, so I continue to take classes as much as possible. I use private coaching for big auditions and seminars from agents and casting directors to keep up with the current industry trends as they are ever changing. One thing, however never changes is need for a good basis or foundation for the craft.
indieactivity: How do you combine acting, producing & writing?
Marcos Luis: Acting writing and producing seem to integrate themselves perfectly with me. Sometimes they are separate entities and sometimes they form and create a great work of art. I currently have one work ready for film production entitled “444” which is based on a true life story and another piece I am writing for stage, which has music , that is in the works about a popular figure. If it’s a good project, I try to figure out where I can fit in to make the film complete and share my ideas on the project.
indieactivity: How did you get into the film business?
Marcos Luis: After doing many commercials and TV spots, and industrial films as a professional actor with SAG-AFTRA I got a camera and began doing photography. I received an Award from Colombia, South America for my philanthropic work , I then made a feature film called “15 Daze” , a Documentary of my own life in 15 days. That creative venture raised my curiosity and pushed me to telling and being part of a team who tells story’s on film, more specifically filmmaking. That was the start of me being behind the camera, editing, and making a film.
indieactivity: How do you turn an idea into a screenplay?
Marcos Luis: Everyone has their own method, but mine is organic. I come up with the idea, and allow myself the time , and space to write and let it flow freely without edits the first time. Then I re-read making changes. I allow it to simmer at a low fire, then check it for consistency ,stirring the ideas gently until done. I serve the screenplay up like stew to a few trusted people who are great critics and offer feedback on improvements ( Non-Disclosure Agreement signed of course )and then evaluate my Meal. Obviously the meal being my work.
indieactivity: Explain you writing process?
Marcos Luis: The writing process is mind and hand to computer. As I said before, free flowing idea with edits. The going back, I start to make changes where necessary. I find it better to get the idea down and then shape it afterwards.
indieactivity: What tip can you give young writers?
Marcos Luis: Any writing tips I can give would be truthful, be authentic, and trust your work. As independent artists we can have the audacity to make and create things as we like them, as we envision them. We also have the liberty not to take “No” as an answer but we must be open-minded enough to be objective and accept advice, criticism in hopes of clarity and others receiving our messages through our art.
indieactivity: Tell us about the directing work you have done?
Marcos Luis: Directing is something I would like to do more of for sure. My company 3SB Theatre LLC had an evening of one-act plays that I directed by a great writer named Leon Kajay. It was exciting for me because I had an opportunity to incorporate directing skills using my knowledge of being an actor. I was able to connect the actors’ understanding the mood, and feeling of the work in a much more approachable way to get the outcome for the work.
indieactivity: What do you want to change about the film business?
Marcos Luis: The Film Business is great. As the times change, so does filmmaking and the audience watching. More and more people now have access to equipment to tell their own stories, which to me is great. The Hollywood blockbusters are nice but the indie films are just as good. Equally as good, music, acting, production. I’m glad the representation on screen, behind the camera, and those voting for awards are slowly becoming more like the population of those viewing films. Platforms such as Netflix, Hulu and other streaming sources are now becoming the source for more original content, which is what we are seeking. #WeAreInclusion
indieactivity: What do you want to be remembered for?
Marcos Luis: I would like to be remembered as an artist who cares about the Craft and other artists work. I’m proud of my work thus far, my achievements, and continuing to provide other entertainers a platform to do what they do in music, film, theater , and visual. There is enough room and work out here for everyone. It is not a competition.I want to continue to encourage people at any age but especially young people of color to pursue the arts and not be afraid to express yourself through artistic means.
indieactivity: What do you want from an actor during a production?
Marcos Luis: 110% and commitment to their work.
indieactivity: How do you prefer to work with a producer during a production?
Marcos Luis: Once again , having worked in many capacities in the business I am able to see both sides so I can open the lines off communication better and see what is needed and work accordingly.
indieactivity: What can a director do to get into the film industry?
Marcos Luis: There definitely is a technique to directing. For this I would recommend taking classes or learn some pointers for effective directing, whether Tv, Stage or Film. I would recommend by starting out directing whatever you can, watch, listen, learn. Read the material you will be working on, knowing, learn it, and study it so there’s no question you cannot answer about it. When you do that you’re well on your way, because you set the tone and feel of the piece. Do short films, videos, and keep directing and each project becomes bigger as you grow.
indieactivity: Who is you favourite director?
Marcos Luis: Currently, my favorite Director is Ryan Murphy. He is phenomenal. The stories that he is telling have such range and all differ in stories. He manages to set the tone that create powerful and compelling work as in “American Horror Story” to “The Gianni Versace Story” to “Fosse.”
indieactivity: Why?
Marcos Luis: Directing is hard to do. Keeping the tone of a piece in the vain of the meaning of the text is a huge task , but Ryan Murphy successful and brilliantly does that consistently throughout his work.
indieactivity: What advice do you give directors around the world?
Marcos Luis: The only advice I can give to any director is to know the work. Know everything about the piece you are directing and have it thought through in as many angles as possible and then move forward but realize that as you’re in the process something you may not have though of may enter the process. Explore it too.
indieactivity: Briefly intimate us about your career?
Marcos Luis: My career range as I said earlier is many different avenues. As a photographer I was on a team with Healing The Children Organization and received an Award from the President of Colombia for our philanthropic surgeries and my photography work performed for the country. As a model I have been on billboards, international ads, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and more with Top Model Shlomit Malka. Films Have been Long-Listed on the Academy of Motion Pictures and featured on HBO, amidst the many awards.
Currently I have three films making their e way in the Indie Film Festival Circuits. One of which, “The Moor” by Dir./writer James Everett will begin its Oscar qualifying run this month in Los Angeles, CA. “Heavenly” written by Ya’ke will make its premiere this month in Houston,TX and the The American Black Film Festival in Miami, Fl. Our Cuban film “Los Viejos/The Oldies “ by writer/director Rosanna Matecki has shown all over the world including The Havana Film Festival. Please check our more to come on my official website and links below.
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