Meet Omar Mora
Born and raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Omar Mora first turned to a career in medicine, studying to become a doctor in his homeland as well as in Mexico. He then moved to New York City for his medical residency. It was after witnessing the tragedy of September 11th that he decided life was too short not to do everything he wanted, so he decided to pursue his dream of acting.
While a resident in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in New York, Mora enrolled as a student in the two-year acting program at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. After finishing both, he moved to Los Angeles to continue both careers. Since relocating, Mora has been building a solid résumé in the independent film world.
Ambition
In 2012, Mora added writing to his career ambitions. His desire and passion to have audiences know his stories fueled him to write several feature film scripts and a novel. Mora’s current goal is to develop his scripts into feature films through his production company, Moras Productions, Inc.
The company’s first short film, A Busy Mind, was distributed by PBS in 2014, and its first feature film, 30 Days with My Brother had a theatrical release (limited) through AMC Theaters across the nation. The movie got released as well on cable VOD (Time Warner Cable) and online VOD release in 2016. Mora became the first Puerto Rican producer to obtain a film distributed at AMC Theaters through the AMC Independent Program.
Mora Productions
Moras Productions released a comic book series called The Unearthians in 2019 at San Diego Comic-Con. Their second feature film, Inside the Circle, was released in September 2021 Worldwide on VOD. Moras is also working on the updated version and making a hybrid novel / comic book of his story Ancient Explorers: The Lost City of Peru, originally published in 2013 and it’ll be released in 2022.
indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Omar Mora (OM): The technique I use the most is called Meisner. That’s the one I studied and like the most because I really need to pay attention to the other actors in the scene and react honestly to it… Living the moment on each scene. I also do sense memory for certain scenes to evoke the emotion is requested by the director.
How did you get connected to the project? Did you have to audition? If you did, would you still have got the part?
Omar Mora (OM): I’m the writer, producer of the project. I love to create and create opportunities for myself. That way I can create characters that I’m passionate about.
Let’s take this project you did; how did you prepare for such a role: the cast, the physicality, the terrain, the climate, the weather, and the demands of the project?
Omar Mora (OM): First I break down the script, look for my super-objective and objectives on each scene. I discussed them with the director and then rehearsals. I don’t like to overdue rehearsals as I want to be spontaneous on the scenes, based on the director’s directions. But because this one I wrote, I had a pretty clear idea of the character, the choices, and what to do.
As one of the cast on the project, how did this ‘choice’ work for you?
Omar Mora (OM): Well, this character was based on my own experiences and real-life situations, so it was easy on the choices I made as an actor. I was just honest with myself and that translated into the character I created.
How do you create the character from a script into a person?
Omar Mora (OM): This character was based on my life experiences and ways of seeing love and relationships. I wanted to express that. So it was easy to translate what was written in the script into the scenes and the choices I made as an actor. I also discussed them with the other actors, especially Stefy Garcia, the other lead in the film.
Explain one creative choice you took on the set of this production?
Omar Mora (OM): There were two scenes that on the script were broken into two or more scenes. Stefy and I talked to the director and asked if we can do them all together into one long continuous scene without cutting… one-shot scene. That way we’ll live the moment and be fully present without interruption. Those were two-argument scenes. When we did it continuously worked perfectly and it was beautiful. We were so connected and embraced the moment. I loved it and as an actor, it was very fulfilling. We’ll love to do more scenes like that in future movies. It’s challenging but worth it.
You’re not new to indie films. What do you enjoy about the work that keeps you working?
OM: Storytelling. I always drive to good stories and characters that say something and have a full arc on the films.
Give an example of a direction you received from the director during the production?
OM: I will go back to the one-shot (continuous) scenes. He gives us directions on the blocking, where to stand and walk, where the DP will be and how he will follow us, and where we are going to finish the scene.
How did you collaborate with your cast members from scene to scene?
OM: We rehearsed and discussed the scenes and our choices. I have known Stefy for many years and we took acting classes together. So we were in SYNC on the film. We supported each other.
As the main cast in the film, describe the feeling of responsibility that you shouldered. Were you scared? Or did it fire you up? What scenes were difficult to shoot?
OM: I love to be the lead on the story and it is because the leads have the most complete art in films. I love to take a character from point A to B, C, and D… I love to experience the characters through his arc. The struggles, the happy moments… I like to experience it all. It’s really fulfilling. Especially when you see the end results; the film is edited and with music and colors… It’s just beautiful.
What did you take away from the film production?
OM: A lot of new and good friends. Also working with Javier was really good and I hope we work in the future again. He was very creative and he made the film much better with his choices as a director.
What is next for you?
OM: I’m working on two more scripts in development and a TV series in development as well. The TV series will be based on a comic book series that I wrote called The Unearthians, which was named top 10 indie comics at LA Comic-Con in 2019.
What advice do you give actors regarding what you learned on the project?
OM: Create your own work and opportunities if you are not giving the characters or roles that you want.
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