Nicole Esperanza Zepeda
Major: Radio-Television-Film
Inspiration:
Her father, a theater teacher for 27 years in the Rio Grande Valley.
"My dad has been a big influence on my life. He's amazing, and he has received lots of awards for his work as a teacher. I grew up in an area populated by economically disadvantaged Hispanics who normally don't go to college, but my dad really pushes kids to do more with their lives, he helps make their dreams a reality. A lot of kids who have had my dad as a drama teacher go on to college."
Favorite Class:
Television Production with Robert Foshko. "Being in his class is like being in my dad's class at home. It's very hands-on: we're building sets, casting, taking on all areas of production. We're behind the camera and in front of the camera. It's so much work, but to me it's energizing, not draining."
Where UT Meets the Real World:
Burnt Orange Productions is a commercial organization that brings films to Austin and, through the University of Texas Film Institute, pairs students with professionals working on independent, low-budget movies. "I worked in the art department on Burnt Orange's first production, "The Quiet." We designed the rooms for the scenes, and I got to work with Edie Falco from "The Sopranos." I stayed to help edit, and then I did some script supervising.
It was an amazing experience. A member of the Austin crew recommended me to an MTV recruiter, and I got a job as associate producer on ‘Room Raiders.'"
Aspiration: Nicole is already getting freelance production jobs, she will be a script supervisor on a movie beginning production this summer and she's currently working for Disney to produce a documentary on the making of a musical—a Spanish rendition of Aladdin—that Disney commissioned her father to produce. "I just want to continue working in this field, and eventually, I would also love to open a production company with my sister."
Favorite Means of Communicating:
Performing. "Acting is in my blood and I love it. That's why I'm in this business."
