Vanessa McMahon

In a career spanning over 33 years of experience, Jorge A. Cano, Jr. has produced and directed various films, TV shows, more than 2,000 commercials, videos and documentaries in both English and Spanish. Jorge produced and directed several movies in the past thirty years, and has coordinated productions for major Hollywood companies such as Columbia Pictures and Universal Studios throughout Latin America. He's been honored with a Telly Award, an Intercom Chicago International Film Festival Award and the pinnacle of television achievement, an Emmy Award, totaling 29 International Awards.

“Secret Scandal: In Quarantine,” “Escandalo Secreto” will debut exclusively on DistroTV Español and be available to all DistroTV audiences globally, including 17 countries in Latin America and in the U.S. where more than 53 million people speak Spanish. The Jorge Cano-helmed comedy features an international, all-star global cast including Alejandro Gutierrez, Danny Trejo, Ninel Conde, Lina Castrillon, Platanito, Nanis Ochoa, Armando Hernandez, Lorena Herrera, Reykon, Margarita Reyes, Alexander Ospina, Valentina Lizcano, Nitzia Chama, Ricardo Hill, Isabella Santiago, and Pancho Moler. The DistroTV original, based on COVID times and set in Bogota, Colombia, will have viewers laughing from beginning to end.

When did you realize you wanted to be a director and how did you go about realizing your dream?

JORGE: From a very early age, I had the opportunity to go to the movies very often and I was fascinated by the idea of how they had filmed several shots and I was extremely curious about the behind-the-scenes work that went into each film. On one occasion after going to see a movie with my mother, I told her that I already knew what I wanted to do in life. I was seven years old. She asked me what that was, and without hesitation, I responded, “I am going to be a Film Director”. She gave me enough confidence when she told me, “You can be whatever you want to be, just try to be the best at telling your story.” Obviously, the path was much more complicated than I dreamed. However, I always believed that if you dream it, it will come true as long as you believe you can. My first job in the industry was an administrative job. I decided to leave my safe 9 to 5 job for a job on a production set, pulling cables. That is where my career began because I gained experience and made connections. I later went on to work as a grip, best boy, gaffer, Director of Photography, and years later as DP and Camera Operator. I began to direct several projects, until the opportunity to direct my first film arose. With more than 33 years in the industry, including 25 as a director, I feel fortunate to perfect the way of telling a story.

What were some of the films and series you first saw that were your greatest inspiration?

JORGE: There have been several great movies and series that I have seen. For example, the first series of Mission Impossible was without a doubt an amazing series, the representation of the characters and its extraordinary development of the plot was what inspired me. I think that the greatest inspiration has been the story and the work of great directors such as Robert Altman, Rob Reiner, Ron Howard, just to name a few. The work they have done has motivated me to push myself as a Director.

Before making Secret Scandal, you have worked on TV and commercials. Can you tell us about some of the work you have done that led you to your most recent work?

JORGE: After 15 films and documentaries, I had the opportunity to direct important shows and commercials for the automotive industry, such as Dodge, Chrysler, Toyo Tires. I also worked on commercials for other companies, such as; TGI Friday, Jack in the Box, Frigidaire, Curacao, LG, Samsung, just to name a few. Over the years I focused on writing. After finishing my most recent book published in 2019 “Pobre Rico Millonario” I signed as an author of Penguin Random House. I was one of the 400 authors invited to give a conference and present my work at the International Book Fair, La FIL in Guadalajara, Mexico. With the success obtained in the fair, work was done on the planning and logistics of the tour for the promotion of the book that would be carried out in five countries; Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and the United States. However, two weeks before the start of the tour COVID-19 surprised us and changed our plans, along with the plans of all humanity. 

I decided to start writing another book called JOTS based on the life of Juna Miguel Arias, the personal assistant of Anthony Hopkins. This work has been extended a bit due to the different work commitments that the parties involved have had, but it is without a doubt a great project. This allowed me to take a break and write the rundown for a series called “A True Winner” that I sold during the pandemic. This was the culminating moment that allowed me to write, develop, produce and direct "Escándalo Secreto" / “Secret Scandal in the middle of Quarantine”. Although Covid-19 changed my plans and stopped me from going on a book tour. I now see that it was a blessing in disguise because without the time and inspiration quarantine gave me, I would not have been able to write, direct, and produce “Escandalo Secreto”. 

Can you tell us about the journey of making Secret Scandal?

JORGE: What we were experiencing at the time with the confinement was what led me to prepare to do this project. What I made was a film with a current theme, what we were experiencing in total isolation, part of the idea was to create some humor in a moment of uncertainty. My goal was to offer the public a space to relax and enjoy, my main idea was to broadcast a message of union, that regardless of race, gender, even language, together we can create something wonderful despite adversity. 

Can you tell us a bit about the film and what audiences can look forward to?

JORGE: The film itself is an extremely unruly comedy, with a series of characters that are all linked to the task of the main character Hames Von, Agent 009, (Alejandro Gutierrez). He goes from being an Aircab driver to becoming the first CIA-infiltrated Agent in Colombia. Thanks to the support of his great friend El Hacker, (Platanito, Sergio Verduzco) he manages to be recruited by Agent BIG Charles, (Pancho Moler) which puts him to the test to solve several missions. Thanks to Hames charisma and the team that he integrates during the development of the story, he manages to find the most feared villains in Northern Mexico; La Jefa del Norte, (Ninel Conde) and El Chato de Haya, (Armando Hernandez). His mission is to find the whereabouts of the head of this gang of criminals, the MMR, Mario Machin Rin, played by  (Danny Trejo). This film is developed from different stories with double meaning, sarcasm, and humor. A must-watch movie! For Spanish and English-speaking audiences. Although some of the film content is at a higher level of maturity this movie may be inappropriate for children under 13, parental guidance suggested. 

Do you have a project you have worked on thus far you are most proud of?

JORGE: I feel very proud of all the work that I have done since I put a lot of passion into each and every one of them. However, if I had to choose the ones that I feel most proud of, it would be the 39 productions that have been awarded by the National Academy of Television Arts and Science;  an Emmy Award, 23 Telly Awards, and several more. 

What have been your biggest challenges so far in your career? What have been some of the biggest rewards?

JORGE: The biggest challenge so far has been to make a movie during quarantine, there were several challenges, first to write a story based on what we were experiencing in real-time. Although it was a time of uncertainty and a lot of confusion, I wanted to make a story with humor, that would generate a moment of laughter and bring together international actors from different countries to make a film, to film at their places of origin, bring together artists from film, television, and internet, of different nationalities regardless of language. It was a challenge to go to three different countries, and eight cities to film, such as; Los Angeles, New York, Mexico City, Bogota, Cartagena, Medellin, Rosarito Mexico, and Hollywood. Another challenge was of course becoming an expert in disinfecting equipment and doing immediate tests for Covid-19. But the biggest gratification was the result of this film, that regardless of the situation we were living in, I wanted to send out a powerful message; that despite adversity, together we can do amazing things, like this movie; "Escandalo Secreto" / "Secret Scandal" During Quarantine.

Do you have a technique in your filming (like an artistic signature) where people can detect it's your work?

JORGE: I believe I do, in most of the films that I direct I like to create long-lasting shots with lots of action throughout. However, in this film, in particular, you will see very little of that, there are some movements, not as much as I would like to, due to the fact that we only work with a crew of two people, it was chaos, but we got it done.

In straddling two continents (Latin America and North America) in your adult life, has this been a challenge, or has it helped your career? 

JORGE: Definitely, understanding the culture of two continents, almost perfectly, has helped me a lot in my career. Since I understand the perception of both and not only that but the perception of Latinos who were born in the United States, those from the border, those from the interior of any country in Latin America, and in the same way the perception of those who reside in North America.

What will you be working on next?

JORGE: At the moment I am working on the new channel Imagen Latina TV, which will be available for streaming at the fastest growing platform; DistroTV, where we will have a great diversity of programming in Spanish. In addition to this project, I am already preparing my next Film workshop, to teach those new to the industry and the new generations the standards, the formula, and the secrets so that they can achieve their goals in the shortest period of time. I’m also working on Dr. Roch's “Las Historias del Timo”, a new series that will be available soon. Lastly, I’m working on the storyline of the series of this movie “Escandalo Secreto”. To know more about it, I invite you to follow me on Instagram @JorgeCanoTV

Interview by Vanessa McMahon