Meet Lauren Leyva | Casting Associate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Leyva and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, what’s the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make?
The most difficult decision I have ever made wasn’t a particular event, It was deciding that overall I was going to live for myself! Growing up I took everyone else’s opinions and advice rather than my own when making huge life decisions. As a child of immigrants, the pressure was on to take advantage of what my parents worked so hard for and seize all the opportunities that fit in with the American dream. I was so worried about being the perfect daughter, friend, employee that I just went along with everyone else’s plan for my life. sometimes we are so selfless to a point that we forget who we are or what we desire. After seeing that every impulsive decision I felt was right for me worked out I decided that I was no longer going to live for others. My family is extremely proud of me for following my own path that turned out even greater than they expected and I am also extremely proud of myself!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a casting associate who currently works at Marvel Animation, previously I have worked for Nickelodeon, Kapital Entertainment and a brief stint at Snapchat! when I was younger I truly didnt know what I wanted to do except for that I wanted to work in Film and Television. I was to shy to act, not disciplined enough to write, all I knew was that I had an encyclopedia in my brain of Actors, Shows and Movies. I loved all things pop culture and when I graduated high school I made the decision to move to a cultural Mecca, New York City. It was here that I was first introduced to Casting, I was babysitting one of my cousins and he was a kid actor and one day at one of his auditions I chatted up the casting director and I asked her if she needed an intern. Casting just fit and the more I learned the more I knew I had something to offer, maybe I could get paid for knowing obscure actors with incredible performances, paid for watching every domestic and foreign show, paid for finding new talent through digital media. With an internship under my belt I left New York, finished college back in Miami and decided to make the leap I thought I was never ready for which was moving to LA. I didnt have a job lined up, no place to live, and only knew one person but I packed up my car and moved out here with only one plan. Get a casting job. I worked at the Mall and found a roommate online and slowly settled into life in LA. I was able to get an unpaid internship with a commercial casting agency and after that I tried various industry jobs. I worked at a talent agency and then left to Snapchat to work in Social Media, after that I finally got my first casting assistant job working for Sherie Hernandez! Working for a casting executive for a production company that had deals with major studios was very different than my previous internships, I consider Sherie one of my mentors and she taught me everything I know about casting, particularly live action casting. After working for Sherie I started working in Animation casting at Nickelodeon and it felt like such a full circle moment. I was working on shows that had been around since I was a kid and meeting the actors who voiced my childhood. it was here that I fell in love with Voiceover and Animation Casting. At Nick, I grew from a casting assistant to a casting associate and felt empowered by my team to speak up and advocate for talent that I thought was really right for roles. As a Cuban American, working on their show Casagrandes. was huge and I was able to cast incredible up and coming as well as iconic Latinx actors. Now I am currently working for Marvel Animation and its been incredible, as an avid comic book reader and Disney college program alumni its been a dream come true. I have also grown a lot in this position because I have been able to map out my career and know what I want to lean into. I hope in the next two years to be a Casting Director still working in Animation, and I hope to be the Go To Casting Director for shows that want new and diverse talent, particularly Latinx Talent. I hope my story can show that if you have a passion for something and you hold on to it, the universe will put opportunities in your way to show you its something and sometimes you make your own path!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First stop is to Islas Canarias for some Croquettas (extra lime), then we would drive out to Crandon Park in Key Biscayne and spend the day at the Beach with a Sir Pizza pepperoni pizza. Then for Dinner and drinks we head out to the Design District .

The rest of the week we go to the Pamm and Frost Museum.

Go to Vizcaya and then head to Coconut Grove and grab Ceviche from Jaguar

Lastly, stop by Knaus Berry Farm in Homestead for a Strawberry shake and some fresh Cinnamon rolls!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shout out Julio Castro who is another Miami native who has helped me navigate the entertainment industry! Julio and I went to high school together and we always dreamed of moving out to LA and joining the industry, he arrived to LA Three years before I did and he helped me get my first Job which we worked at together and since then we have confided in and supported each other. He also invited to join this incredible organization of Latinx creatives and I have met so many amazing people who advocate for authenticity and representation in film & television. I would also like to shout out my friends and family for always supporting whatever crazy idea I came up with! and lastly my Partner, he is the hardest working person I know and I learn so much from him everyday!

Instagram: loleyva

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loleyva

Twitter: @laurenofleyva

Image Credits
Snapchat Photo: Xavier Aldana Orange Photo: The Kind Aura