WRITER, PRODUCER, DIRECTOR /TELEVISION - FILM - THEATRE - PRINT
NANCY
DE LOS SANTOS
Nancy De Los Santos is recognized for a myriad of production accomplishments as a writer, producer, and director. She has extensive experience in television production, film production, theatre, and print media. Nancy's mission is to "Be a part of presenting a more realistic image of Latinas and all women in all media. "
A SHORT BIO
ChiTown Gal Makes Good!
Nancy was born and raised on the southside of Chicago, and headed for trouble. She left Catholic high school for public high school and joined a Latina girl gang. One thing led to another, and she turned her life around, graduating from UT Austin and University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Nancy began her career in Chicago as producer of Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel’s film review program At The Movies. With her production guidance, the show was nominated for two national Emmy Awards.
She’s worked on the iconic Latino features “My Family” and “Selena,” and television shows Resurrection Blvd., American Family, and East Los High. Nancy was invited to Equinox, the Sundance of Europe, where her feature script “Answer To My Prayer” was work-shopped with writer Nora Ephron. Nora invited Nancy to submit for the theatre production “Love, Loss, and What I Wore”. Nancy’s personal story about her old gang sweater was accepted for the play, which has been staged in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and Mexico City, proving the adage... “It all comes around...”
This year, Nancy begins production on her passion project, a Latina Romantic Comedy, "The Answer To My Prayer," set in San Antonio, Tejas.
The Answer to
My Prayer
Romantic Comedy Feature
Starring
Vannessa Vasquez, Luis Fonsi,
Jackie Cruz, Vivian Lamoli
In Post-Production
Directed by Patrick Perez Vidauri
Lead Producer Cristina Nava
Set in San Antonio, Tejas
Three BFFs receive a mysterious prayer that guarantees they'll find their true love.
AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPOMENT
CAFE DTLA is based on the true story of "The HomeGirl Café" a "HomeBoy Industries" grassroots business that teaches young women exiting prison who have experienced drug use, crime, and homeless - giving them an opportunity at "first chance" at life. Script available.
WHERE FOOD CREATES REDEMPTION
Production Highlights
TELEVISION
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TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS
Nancy began her television career in Chicago as Associate Producer, then Producer of film Critics Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel film review program. She has written for numerous television shows including "Gotta Kick It Up!" a MOW for Disney, "One Hot Summer" for Lifetime and the drama series "Resurrection Blvd." "American Family" and Hulu's "East Los High."
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NATIONAL AWARDS SHOWS
Staff writer and supervising writer for the national awards including "The Hispanic Heritage Awards" for PBS, hosted by Rita Morena, and "The Alma Awards" hosted by Eva Longoria for seven years. Aired on ABC-TV, NBC-TV, MSNBC.
Co-Writer for the Paley Center for Media Tribute to Hispanics in Television, stage presentation NYC.
In 2003, Nancy was awarded an Alma Award for "Outstanding Industry and Community Service."
Highlights
FEATURE FILM
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ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Nancy is the Associate Producer of the iconic Latino feature films "My Family, Mi Familia" starring Jimmy Smits and Edward James Olmos, and "Selena" starring Jennifer Lopez.
Production Highlights
DOCUMENTARY
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THE BRONZE SCREEN: 100 YEARS OF THE LATINO IMAGE IN HOLLYWOOD CINEMA
This feature length documentary was co-written by De Los Santos and Susan Racho and co-produced with De Los Santos, Racho and Alberto Dominguez. This quintessential film details the image of Latinos from the inception of the motion picture to 2000.
Nancy also co-wrote and co-produced the documentary "Lalo Guerrero: The Original Chicano" for Latino Public Television.
THEATRE PRESENTATIONS
FRIDA: STROKE OF PASSION
Written by Macha Theatre artistic director, Odalys Nanin, Nancy co-directed a ten-person cast with Ms. Nanin.
YOUTH THEATRE WORKSHOP
Wrote five full-length plays for this Latino Teen Theatre Workshop, including "Quinceañera Means Forever" "Behind the Scenes Drama" and in 2016 "TBA ETA UAC" about the blight of undocumented, unaccompanied children from Central America.
LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE
Written and Directed by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron, Nancy's story about her "gang sweater" was selected bo be included in this groundbreaking play that has toured the globe.
8 WAYS to
SAY I LOVE
MY LIFE
A Latina Self Help Self Love Book
Nancy joined with seven other Latina writers - Josefina Lopez, Bel Hernandez, Margo De Leon, Susan Orosco, Joanna Diaz, and Rita Mosqueda Marmolejo to share their inspirational personal journeys. Edited by Sylvia Mendoza with a foreword by legendary performer Vikki Carr, the book is published by Arte Publico Press.
Nancy also directed a critically successful stage production of the book at Casa 0101 in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. Click Here to View
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
CAL STATE FULLERTON
For five semesters, Nancy taught a lecture class, "Latinos In Film" based on the documentary "The Bronze Screen" at Cal State University, Fullerton.
HISPANICS IN THE U.S. MEDIA
Soon to be published: "A Brief History of Hispanics and Latinos in U.S. Films" in this textbook, edited by Katie Coronado and Eric Rodriguez Kight for Routledge Publications and the University of Central Florida.
Nancy has written for a number of publications including Latina Magazine, Latin Heat, Latina Style, and various other publications.
She's also been published in the L.A. Times, "L.A. Affairs" column. (click to read)
PRESENTATIONS
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Mujeres Latinas en Accion, Chicago, Keynote Speaker
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MANA de San Diego, Keynote Speaker (Among many others)
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“On the Course, On the Stage, On the Couch” Produced and Moderated Panel Discussion with Latinas in Sports, Entertainment, and Counseling for the Cal State Fullerton President’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration, 2013. Guests: Actress Cristela Alonzo, Latina Golfer Association founder Azucena Maldonado, and Dr. Ana Nogales
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“Latina Laugh Matters” Produced and Moderated Panel Discussion with Latina Comedy performers and writers for the Cal State Fullerton Communications Week, 2015.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Chicana Fotos
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor February 2017
Wayne State University, Detroit September, 2017
AWARDS
• NCLR ALMA Award, 2014 “Professional Excellence and Community Involvement”
• Imagen Award, Best Live Theatrical Production, “8 Ways to Say I Love My Life.”
• National Emmy Nominations, “At the Movies with Siskel & Ebert”
• Hispanic Focus Award, International Hispanic Film Festival of Palm Springs, “The Bronze Screen”
• Latina/o Cinema Society, University of Southern California, 2001
• Latino Spirit Award, Achievement in Cinematic Arts, California State Assembly, 2008
GET IN TOUCH
Contact Nancy De Los Santos regarding her work, possible productions, and her opinion!
213.926.4345