GTWT FEATURED ALUMNI, VANESSA
USC School of Cinematic Arts, 2008
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| Vanessa Lozano of GTWT |
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That's when America Ferrera was cast as the lead, though Vanessa and a few other girls of GTWT where still invited on the set to see the production of the film by its writer, Josefina Lopez. To this day, Vanessa attributes the behind the scenes experience and attending the screening of Real Women Have Curves at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City Utah as the catalyst that inspired her to pursue her application to USC's School of Cinematic Arts.
Vanessa grew up in the heavily infested gang territory of Estrada Courts in the Boyle Heights community of East Los Angeles. She found herself going through high school feeling as if a university education was out of her reach. This past spring 2008, Vanessa graduated from USC's School of Cinematic Arts with a degree in Critical Film Studies.
When Vanessa was asked if being mentored was important and why she continues to stay involved with GTWT, she replied, "Having a mentor in my life has been synonymous with opportunity. When I became a part of GTWT, my dream to pursue a higher education became a reality. GTWT creates a community of support, ambition and drive that are applied to every participant. These are attributes I live by. To have a mentor view me as an able body that can create a difference is a feeling that propels beyond pride and admiration; it's truly a feeling of being loved."
Vanessa also says she continues to participate and give back to GTWT because "The founding principles of GTWT rely on reciprocation. My continued participation in GTWT allows me to share my experiences with younger members in the program. Growing up in Boyle Heights, along with my culture and family role, offered me a path of obstacles and insisted that I delay my educational goals. It was through my participation in GTWT where these difficulties were finally defeated."
Vanessa will complete her second degree in Education from USC in 2009. She looks forward to making a difference in the Childrens' Entertainment Industry through education and the visual film/television medium.
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| During the winter of 2000, a shy girl attending Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights by the name of Vanessa crossed paths with GTWT staff. Vanessa was interested in contributing to her community, and with GTWT that holiday season, she helped pass out toys and holiday dinners to residents of the community. Little did Vanessa realize at that time of the opportunities she was about to embark on.
The following few months, Vanessa began shooting video footage at various GTWT activities and helped edit the footage for program promotional purposes. With a great interest in film and a desire to gain experience, Vanessa auditioned for the lead character in the HBO film, Real Women Have Curves. After being asked to return for the 5th audition, Vanessa declined the offer to be the lead because she realized she had greater interestes to be behind the camera producing.
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