We were lucky to catch up with Jimmy Velarde recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jimmy, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
This is a memory triggering question that causes me to revisit my formative years. . I’ve always gravitated towards my elders for guidance beginning with my grandmother, mother and sister; the strong women in our modest home who raised me while barely making ends meet. I grew up in the low-income neighborhood of Pacoima in the San Fernando Valley where drugs and gangs were on every street corner. My family encouraged fearlessness and compassion as the constant reminder of the power of the human spirit. Having no other choice but to stay strong and focus on maximizing opportunities, and the new responsibilities of being a single parent while in my teens was challenging to say the least.
Following in the footsteps of my sister and brother who were the first in our family to attend college, strongly encouraged me to further my education. It was while attending CSUN where I often felt lost and destined for failure. That is, until I met a gentleman Mr. Victor Field who is 10 years my elder with a similar background that would change my life. He was a successful newspaper executive who took me under his wings and mentored me, then and to this day. He opened my eyes to a world of opportunities in networking with seasoned professionals in the entertainment field such as print, music, film, television, and live concerts. It was like this angel of a man fell from the heavens to grant me invaluable knowledge, wisdom, and courage in building confidence and self-esteem. I look back and think “Why me?”, realizing my mission in life is to give back to what I have been privileged in receiving. I attribute my success to my many elders for entrusting me with the ultimate gift of having purpose.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My multi-faceted career has spanned over decades in all areas of the entertainment field including being awarded 12 Emmys, and a Grammy Nomination for my production work as President of Rampart Latino Records. In 1980, I began as a freelance photographer for The Los Angeles Daily News in creating the highly successful Resturant and Nightclub Guide, along with media and advertising campaigns for clients in retail, regional, and national accounts. This general market experience opened the door for becoming the Entertainment Director of Hispanic Media, which was the Hispanic branch of Guber-Peters Entertainment.
In 1981, music was my first love and I found myself as assistant tour manager for blues legends such as Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, Big Mamma Thornton, Joe Houston, Big Jay McNeely, and Koko Taylor to name a few.
In 1989, my interest shifted from music to television. I attained a staff camera operator position with CBS-Television City in Los Angeles. Working on iconic shows such as The Carol Burnett Show, The Red Foxx Special, Real Time with Bill Maher, Survivor, American Idol, CBS Sports, Late, Late Night with James Corden, The Rose Parade, Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, Espy Awards, BET Awards, The Hollywood Bowl with John Williams, LA Marathon, The Bold and The Beautiful, The Young and The Restless, games shows, and many more. I am a current member of The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Society of Camera Operators, and I serve on the Board of Directors for the Pacoima Historical Society.
As the founder of Angeltown Entertainment, I’m trilled to announce a newly formed venture with Black Unicorn Factory and BJB Presents Agency/Resilient Films Studios. After years of working alongside remarkable talent in Hollywood and witnessing the power of entertainment to touch hearts and inspire audiences, I’m driven to create extraordinary storytelling that will push boundaries, nurture creativity, deliver unparalleled entertainment that leaves a lasting impact.
Moreover, Angeltown Entertainment’s emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and equality underscores the recognition of the importance of representing and providing opportunities to individuals from diverse backgrounds. In an industry that thrives on creativity and innovation, embracing diversity and fostering inclusivity is crucial. My efforts are to uplift the underserved not being represented by valuing and promoting diversity to build a stronger and more dynamic landscape for success. The measure of our success is our contribution to your success.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Every successful person has visualized, had faith and perseverance in the pursuit of their goals. If you can see it, you can do it! And if you can’t quite see it on your own, then contact, ask, learn, and grow from the advice of those that have achieved it . Relationships, trust, and loyalty are all equally important that can last a life time. You got to put in the work, discipline, good attitude, presentation, dream big, stay fit-mind, body and spirit, and execute with passion and commitment.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
My passion is telling stories of Latinos/Chicana/o and our positive contribution to mainstream America. Like any one’s society, documentation is of essence to preserve one’s History and Culture. Latinos/Chicana/o are an invisible minority with little to no representation on screen or interest for funding, yet we are one the largest consumers of products in the United States. So yes, this is our biggest challenge.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thedronechronicles.com
- Instagram: jimmy.velarde.5
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jimmy.velarde.5
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jimmy-velarde-6895b0b
- Other: IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1103683/
Image Credits
Veronica Slavin
