Manny Jimenez Sr., Writer-Director-ProducerManny's childhood dream was to be in the movies. He grew up watching his favorite TV shows from Batman and Superman to Happy Days and The Dukes of Hazzard, and films like Back to the Future and The Outsiders. Manny knew he loved TV and film and that he wanted to be part of it. But as a teen, Manny felt like an outsider himself. He didn't fit in with the other kids playing sports or other types of childhood activities. Angry over the absence of his real father and bullied by his stepfather, he began to rebel. He ran away and started associating himself with neighborhood guys who eventually became his new family.For the next ten years, he went down a dark path until he realized there's nothing but betrayal in life on the streets. After being shot by rival gang members and losing several friends to gang violence, he was arrested for a crime he didn't commit and was facing prison time. His innocence was proven, but the ordeal changed his perspective. He took advantage of the second chance he'd been offered and sought to create a life on new terms, giving up gangs and starting a job at Toys "R" Us to support his wife and three children. Manny learned quickly that a minimum wage job wouldn't bring in enough money, so he began to focus on a lofty childhood dream - working in Hollywood. This pivotal realization occurred when he heard Quentin Tarantino on a talk show state that, "Hollywood doesn't care if you've been to jail."With nothing to lose and a new lease on life, he began working passionately as an extra, and with various casting departments, taking any job, he could find. Manny worked on films, television shows, music videos, commercials, as well as public service announcements, gaining plenty of production experience along the way. This proved to be an invaluable experience, and he went on to start the talent management firm Suspect Entertainment, Inc. that specialized in providing "hard to find ethnic talent" and "gangster consultation." The talent ranged from character actors to tattoo artists, and Manny's consultation services provided genuine street dialogue, picture cars (Lowriders), realistic locations in the "hood," and authentic props. Meantime, he was polishing his skills as both a Writer and Producer. Manny realized that everything he learned on the streets had prepared him for Hollywood.Manny's unique makeup has led him to be the subject of numerous TV news stories, on FOX, CBS, ABC, Telemundo, Univision, CNN and MSNBC, and in newspaper and magazine articles for N.Y. Times, L.A. Weekly, Washington Post, Emmy, FHM, Playboy, Entertainment Weekly, Premiere, L.A. Times; and most recently in the book Mugshots. Manny has provided talent for television shows including, The Shield, CSI and Breaking Bad. Feature Films have included Training Day, S.W.A.T., Gridiron Gang, Fast & The Furious 4 and End of Watch.In 2010 Manny decided it was time to move on from talent management and go after his real dream of becoming a filmmaker. Manny is now developing his own projects, including a TV series, feature films and documentary films that are more about redemption than the glorification of gang life.Although working in the entertainment industry is Manny's main endeavor, he has also found great satisfaction in helping other former gang members like himself by giving back to the community, speaking to youth in schools, probation camps, and drug programs. In 2011 Manny spent two years working with the non-profit So Cal Crossroads and Tribeca Teaches L.A. as a teaching artist/mentor to youth. Manny feels that it's important to teach youth the value of education and that there is a better life without drugs and gangs.Now as a writer, producer, and finally taking a seat in the coveted director's chair, Manny has found himself on a fast track toward the pursuit of all his goals in the entertainment industry. Show less «