A Latino Focused Entertainment Studio
Collectivo is a Latino and disabled veteran owned and operated entertainment studio that focuses on the production of universally-themed, high-quality content that seamlessly conveys diverse storytelling from Latino and other underrepresented communities (Indigenous American, African American, Asian American, Veteran, Disabled, & LGBTQ+).
Leadership
Our leadership team is made up of entertainment veterans with over 5 decades of combined experience in Hollywood, New York, & Las Vegas. We bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every project we work on, ensuring that our audience receive the highest quality content possible.
JAY TORRES
Founder/CEO
Jay, an esteemed executive and director, has profoundly impacted the cinematic landscape with his award-winning productions and visionary directing. His broad body of work spans episodic series, commercials, and immersive entertainment, reflecting a remarkable versatility. Renowned for his collaborations with A-list talent and major brands, Jay's groundbreaking, patented filming methods exemplify innovation.
As a committed leader on various committees for the Directors Guild of America, he is a staunch proponent of diversity, shaping industry standards and championing inclusivity. His illustrious career is a beacon of creativity and leadership in the arts.
RAFAEL AGUSTIN
Founding Advisor
Rafael is notable for his contributions to "Jane The Virgin" and author of "Illegally Yours," has significantly impacted the film and television industry and beyond. A Sundance Fellow and former executive of the Youth Cinema Project and CEO of the Latino Film Institute, he's been recognized by LA Weekly, the United Nations, the LA Times, and received the Spirit of Los Angeles Award. Agustín also serves on boards for the National Film Preservation and the Center for Investigative Reporting. His educational credentials include an AA from Mt. San Antonio College and both a BA and MA from UCLA’s prestigious School of Theater, Film & Television.
Advisors
Collectivo has the passionate support of a panel of advisors consisting of high-profile Latino writers, actors, directors, producers, and technologists. This demonstrates our in-depth ties to the entertainment industry, Las Vegas, and our commitment to elevated, universal storytelling.
JON HUERTAS
Jon, an accomplished actor, producer, and director, gained prominence for his role as Miguel Rivas on NBC's "This Is Us" and as Detective Javier Esposito on ABC's "Castle." Celebrated for his portrayal of a caregiver for dementia, Jon has also been lauded for his role in "Generation Kill," a project close to his heart as a veteran. Transitioning into directing, he has helmed episodes of notable TV series and is venturing into independent filmmaking with projects like "The Trap." Upcoming endeavors include a series with Peter Farrelly for Happy Madison and starring in the adaptation of "Fire with Fire," underscoring his versatility in the entertainment industry.
LISA VIDAL
Lisa, an award-winning actress with over forty years in the industry, stands out for her portrayal of diverse, multi-dimensional Latino characters. Her recent work includes leading roles in ABC's "The Baker and the Beauty" and appearances in BET's "Ms. Pat" and Amazon's "With Love." Starting her career at 14 in Repertory Theater, Vidal quickly moved to notable TV series like "The Cosby Show" and "Miami Vice," and has been recognized with an Imagen Foundation Award for her role in "Being Mary Jane." Vidal's film contributions include "Star Trek" and "Odd Girl Out," enhancing her extensive TV credits. As co-founder of Latinas Acting Up, she amplifies Latina voices in entertainment. Off-screen, Vidal, a breast cancer survivor, actively supports cancer awareness.
ED ORNELAS
Ed is a prominent television director and producer, recognized for his work on series like "Grey's Anatomy," "Fear the Walking Dead," and "Locke & Key," and as Executive Producer/Director on "Harlan Coben's Shelter." Transitioning from editing to directing within Shondaland, he has shown remarkable versatility across a range of genres, including episodes of "Private Practice" and "The Horror of Dolores Roach." Ornelas is a key member of the Directors Guild of America, where he serves in leadership roles, reflecting his commitment to the craft of storytelling. His approach to television production blends suspense and character depth, notably in the young adult drama series "Harlan Coben's Shelter"
RICK TELLES
Rick, an Emmy-nominated director and producer, has significantly impacted both reality and scripted television over a 25-year career. Starting with NBC's "High School Reunion," he became known for creatively directing "Road Rules," earning an Emmy nomination. His expertise extended to producing and directing hits like MTV's "Fear" and the History Channel's "Conquest." As a co-founder of Brass Ring Entertainment, Rick produced influential shows, including "The Surreal Life" on VH1. In his executive role at Syfy, he was instrumental in launching "Face Off." Recently, Rick served as the executive producer of the acclaimed Amazon movie "A Million Miles Away," further showcasing his diverse talent and influence in the entertainment industry.
SAM TOLES
Sam is a renowned technology and media C-Suite executive having led both traditional studios and production companies, most recently as Metro Goldwyn Mayer’s Senior Vice President of Digital Media, to top tier technology platforms as Chief Content Officer for Bleacher Report and SVP, GM of Vimeo.
Sam prides himself on the deep relationships he maintains across the media and technology landscape, benefitting from direct work experience with luminaries Barry Diller, Mark Burnett, and Jason Kilar (to name a few). He has also served as an elected official.
CURT MARVIS
Curt, a prominent media executive, co-founded and leads QYOU Media Inc., a creator-media company operating in the U.S. and India. He significantly contributed to digital media at Lionsgate, establishing key digital distribution partnerships and innovative content projects. Earlier, Marvis founded CinemaNow, pioneering in digital entertainment, and led 7th Level's shift towards web-based technologies. His early career achievements include co-founding The Company, earning an MTV Video Vanguard Award for music video production, and producing documentaries. Marvis is a recognized industry speaker, has served on several boards, and is a UCLA graduate with a BFA in Motion Picture and Television Production.
OUR MISSION
One of the studio’s primary mission is to authentically serve the fast-growing Latino audience, and, by extension, general audiences as these authentic storytellers grow their share-of-voice in popular culture. We are pre-built as a technology forward production services and creative development company and can quickly facilitate any size production using our vast network of diverse and highly skilled filmmaking talent both in front and behind the camera.​
SOCIAL IMPACT
We will build a thriving, diverse, media community, centered in Las Vegas, which produces film, television, and digital native content at scale. At the same time, we will establish a workforce pipeline that will create opportunities for students and other underserved workers with transferable skills into the film industry.
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Tyler Perry Studios is a perfect example of how leveraging diversity can build a community and drive media production. What he’s done in Georgia, we will replicate for Latinos in Las Vegas.
Latino representation in media can challenge stereotypes, foster understanding, and promote inclusivity. The studio will service the ever-growing Latino audience, domestically and abroad, as well as a general-market audience of multiple diverse backgrounds, thus, delivering financial returns backed by social impact.
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Join the Movement
Join us in a groundbreaking endeavor to reshape the landscape of American entertainment! Our mission is to service the global Latino population and other underrepresented communities, providing the representation that diverse audiences crave. By doing so, we not only maximize an enhanced ROI, but also contribute to a more inclusive and equitable entertainment industry.