Jesse James Keitel and Candido Cornejo Jr, actor/writer and casting director respectively, speak to advocacy, intentional casting, and their trans-identity & experiences navigating the casting process and on set in a climate that’s healthy, safe and creative both as artists and for artists.
Read more about Jesse and Candido here.
Takeaways
- Intentional casting is crucial for authentic representation.
- Trans creatives face unique challenges in Hollywood.
- Advocacy can be a natural byproduct of being oneself.
- Breaking stereotypes is essential for diverse storytelling.
- The industry often reduces trans identities to tokenism.
- Education on trans issues is still necessary in the industry.
- Personal experiences shape professional journeys in the arts.
- Representation must go beyond visibility to include authenticity.
- Trans stories should be told by trans individuals.
- Navigating identity in the workplace requires courage and clarity. We need time, we need money, we need resources.
- There is a space for you that you can be an actor.
- Intentional casting can ease emotional burdens.
- Being a trans woman has been the biggest gift to my career.
- We need to start questioning what is your intention with this?
- We need more training and development opportunities.
- It's important to remember what makes us happy.
- Acting is so fun, but I absolutely hate Hollywood.
- The duality of being different can be both a gift and a burden.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to Trans Creatives in Hollywood
02:06 - Intentional Casting and Authentic Representation
06:14 - Navigating Identity and Career Challenges
10:04 - The Role of Advocacy in the Arts
14:04 - Breaking Stereotypes in Casting
17:54 - Educating the Industry on Trans Representation
21:48 - Personal Experiences and Professional Challenges
28:12 - The Challenge of Finding Talent
31:03 - Encouraging Diversity in Acting
34:35 - The Burden of Representation
37:54 - Intentional Casting and Its Importance
40:35 - Dreams and Aspirations in the Industry
45:46 - The Duality of Being Different
50:00 - Finding Joy in the Journey
Connect with Candido on Instagram
Connect with Jesse on Instagram
Connect with Caroline on Instagram
Connect with Grant on Instagram
Connect with In The Podlight on the Website
The Team:
Caroline Liem – Producer & Host
Grant Kretchick – Producer & Host
Cris Graves - Producer & Editor
David Margolin Lawson - Composer
Emily Yaneth Perez – Administration
In the Podlight is produced in collaboration with Pace University – Sands
- The thoughts, opinions, and views expressed by the guests, hosts, and producers of this podcasts do not necessarily reflect those of Pace University.
