Please join us in welcoming our newest sketch team members – Kay Kaanapu and Jocelyn Manns to Money Pit and Vince Elra and Sarah Halle Corey to The Vanities!! Congrats all and thanks to all that submitted!

Ya’ll.  It’s here. It’s really here. Food from Hood Bruja. Comedy from these hilarious comedians. Hosting from Sister Mora Lee D’Klined. And a Consent Booth. (It’s like a kissing booth…. but it’s all about consent bb). And the proceeds go towards our Inclusion Program. Will we see you at our Queer Comedy Fest on Saturday?

Tess Paras shares her thoughts on diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DE&I for all the newbies) in the entertainment industry in this short little interview!

How have you seen the industry change in the past few years, since it seems that people have become more aware of inclusive casting and diverse stories? Have studios really been working towards this goal, or is it all lip service?

The industry has changed for sure! There’s still a lot of work to do, but every year there are more and more opportunities for inclusion – whether that means a call to action to diversify writers’ rooms or have more inclusive casts that reflect the world around us. We owe a lot to recent projects like Black Panther, Get Out, and Crazy Rich Asians because they were phenomenal AND made a lot of money. That’s what creates attention at studios. However, at the same time, Hollywood doesn’t take risks on a lot of new faces — those projects came from creators who already had proven track record of incredible work – Ryan Coogler, Jordan Peele, Jon M. Chu. Even with CRA, it was a best-selling novel first, so now a lot of studios are looking at Asian authors and novelists to work off of that intellectual property. Furthermore, the Asian-American shows that are all the rage this pilot season are centered on the Chinese American experience because of the impact of CRA. It’s not all lip-service, but Hollywood still does a lot to stay within the framework of what’s familiar, whether it be a story or the people attached to it.

Where does the industry still need improvement?

On the buying side and on the creative leadership side. Folks who are buying scripts and developing at networks and studios are still majority caucasian. From my experience pitching, I’m constantly explaining what being a Filipino American is (Asian face + Spanish last name = mini colonial history lesson) when I share my story. That immediately makes me feel like it’s not a level playing field at all – I’m still “othered” when I walk into those rooms and have to work even harder to feel understood and equal. I want there to be more diverse buyers! Same thing with creative leadership – your Executive Producers, your Showrunners, your Directors — there need to be more diverse people in those positions, too! That’s when we’ll get better, more nuanced worlds, characters, and stories and less tokenism.

How are you celebrating Asian / Pacific American Heritage month?

So far, APAHM has been dope! I just had the world premiere of the short film I wrote and directed, The Patients, at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. I also spoke on a panel at their creative conference. I’ve been to this festival for years as an audience member and a student, taking notes in the back and aspiring to make my way creatively. So, to come back as a writer/director and actress has been full circle. I really love being a part of the filmmaking community and being able to give back! Plus, my mom said she was proud of me. And, if you’re the daughter of Asian immigrants, well, you know that’s like, hella rare.

We are now accepting performer submissions for our Ruby LA Queer Comedy Fest! Last year was a galvanizingly good time. The acts were all incredible. The shows were packed to the brim. The food truck was phenomenal. So you def. want to be there. The application is super easy to fill out. If you identify as LGBTQIA+ then we want to hear from you. Hurry! Applications close on April 30th!

And if you don’t identify as LGBTQIA+ you can still be there to support the action, you know, cuz you’re a good ally! We’ll open up our volunteer committees in May so keep your eye’s peeled for that announcement.

Christina Igaraividez has a strong passion for storytelling and has performed across various stages in L.A., taught storytelling at corporate seminars, won multiple StorySlam competitions at the Moth and is a Moth Mainstage performer. Woah. That’s some pretty incredible credentials. This is why we’re so excited she’s teaching our newest storytelling class – Storytelling for the Stage and Beyond. Here we go all TBT with her!

What’s the first thing you ever wrote and what’s your favorite line from that piece?
I wrote a book in the 4th grade which was about all the crazy things that dogs do to disrupt your life. It was a comedy. It was titled something like “The How and the What (Is He Doing’s) of Dogs”.

If you could go back in time and give yourself advice, what would you say?
Take an improv class. Now. Like as soon as possible. It changed my life and was my gateway drug to everything else I did after that, from a creative perspective. I only wish I had started sooner. (editor’s note – we totally agree)

What was your favorite book when you were a kid?
Goosebumps by R.L. Stine (if that is their real name) is literally what got me to read more often. I think we can all agree these were the best series of books ever made.

Jorjeana Marie (who wrote an improv book!) writes to us from her current view: a bit of ocean in Miami in this week’s desk piece.

What thing do you have to have to start writing?
The less requirements I put on myself, the better. I’ve learned with deadlines to write in most circumstances. That said, I still need a pen, computer, quill, etc. I’ve also started doing the Pomodoro technique to work on projects I can’t quite get going on.

What’s your favorite thing in your desk area?
I have an old timey computer keyboard that looks like a typewriter and makes satisfactory ka-chunk sounds. Just makes me feel good.

What is a just punishment for people who steal pens?
Shanking with a sharpened Bic pen cap, partly chewed on for possible contaminants? Seems apropo in my mind.

Thanks Jorjeana!!

It’s important for us here at The Ruby LA to do something that makes the world a better place. In December we supported the Girls on the Run 5k Run. And in February we’ve got another great volunteer event planned (find out more below). This Monday is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day a holiday that many people spend honoring Dr. King’s name through volunteer service. Are you participating in any events? Do you regularly volunteer with a group? Let us know! We love to know how you Rubies are giving back!

Are you a Good Person? Would you like to be a Good Person?

Well Reading to Kids Needs You! Reading to Kids is dedicated to inspiring underserved children with a love of reading. They coordinate reading clubs at elementary schools in downtown Los Angeles where volunteers read aloud to children and create arts and crafts projects about the stories. Each child receives a book to take home and the books read aloud are donated to the school’s library. Reading aloud to children imparts a love of books that leads to improved literacy, to a more successful education, and to a brighter future.

We are getting a volunteer group together to read to kids on Saturday February 9th from 9 am – 12 p at MacArthur Elementary School. If you’d love to be a Good Person, and read to kids, sign up at the button below! We’re looking for 10-15 people and sign ups go fast, so please get your sign up done by Friday January 18th @ noon!

The Ruby LA 2018 Gift Guide!

Filled with gifts from women-owned businesses

and female-identifying makers! The only gift guide you will ever need.