Isadora Ortega Discussion about Another Love Story

Black: Tell me about Another Love Story?
Ortega: Another Love Story is a domestic abuse film inspired by my best friend, who passed a few years ago. I co-wrote this with Brandon Morson, who is both my business and creative partner.

Black: What are some of the challenges you faced working on Another Love Story?
Ortega: Another Love Story took me on a very emotional journey. Most films are shot out of sequence, so one moment I am happy, the next I am crying, after that making love, and after that sad again. Another Love Story is a domestic abuse film, making it a very physical film. So it was like a roller coaster of emotions and sensations. At the end of every shoot day, I would need to play some good music to clean my energy.

Black: What are your best moments filming?
Ortega: When you see everything coming together on the first day of shooting. Every department is set up and ready to work. Actors come in prepared and ready to play.

Black: What are some challenges you experienced while doing the work that you do?
Ortega: Producing is difficult and very technical compared to acting. It was very difficult to remove the producing hat and go through make-up and hair to get ready to live the life of Mariam. I am very grateful to my team; they are very hands-on.

Black: Do you have any projects coming up?
Ortega: I just wrapped my first Christmas film, ‘Hope Street Holiday,’ which I executive produced, co-wrote and led.

I also published my first graphic novel, “The Curse of the Flower”//”La Maldicion De La Flor,” in 2018, based on the legend of Anacaona. I was so lucky to have a book I originally wanted to develop into a film get met with so much praise, and now I am on my way to doing just that. I am currently developing this novel into a short film, to be directed by Oscar-nominated director David Massi and expect it to make its rounds in the festival circuit shortly after its release.

Black: How are you changing things in the entertainment industry?
Ortega: By being the change that I want to see. I want to see more Afro-Latinos on the big and small screens. Sometimes when the conversation about diversity is being held, they are not speaking about Afro-Latinos. I consciously enforce that change, which is why I have four beautiful Afro-Latinas in my Christmas film, “Hope Street Holiday.”