Meet a Pharr native who's a writer, actor, director and producer

HOMETOWN HOLLYWOOD: Michael Ray Escamilla

Hometown: Pharr, Texas

Where you live now: New York City (12 years)

Job: Writer, actor, director, producer

Current project: In post-production for the feature film "Meme." He is also co-creator the production company Those Guys and That Girl Films.

Acclaims: Helen Hayes Award and Obie Award recipient

Past projects: He has appeared in "Sibling, "Heavy Petting," "Steal," and "Meme." His television work includes: "Law and Order: SVU," "Law and Order: Criminal Intent", "Conviction" and "The Job."

When and how did you decided to leave the Valley to pursue this career: "When I was 15 I was cast in my first play and kept on going."

Hometown ties: After years in New York, Escamilla and best friend, Mando Alvarado, decided that they wanted to bring New York actors to the Valley to put on a play. Escamilla said it was a chance to show his family and friends what the two had learned and bring a piece of the big city to the Valley. "It reminded me of why I started out in this business in the first place, which as you may know, can be difficult," Escamilla said. "The people were so excited and that made me excited too."

The response was so great that the two came back to film a feature film, entitled "Meme" and hope to find a distributor. "I am very grateful to have grown up in the Valley. Family, friends and the culture has given me a unique voice."

The worst movie I ever saw was ... "Hot Rod"

I always wish I had directed ... Any kind of thriller film.

I would eat garbage to work with ... Sidney Lumet

Three favorite films: "Dog Day Afternoon," "Jaws" and "On the Waterfront"

Behind the scenes: Escamilla recounts the sometimes-tough life of a filmmaker. "While shooting our film "Meme," I slept in a tent for a month and a half. A friend tried to install an air condition in it, but it was no match for the Texas heat. IT WAS HOT! I had over 30 tics on my body due to shooting in a ranch and walking under an infested tree, saw many rattlesnakes - and nearly missed stepping on one, and we shot for over eight hours in a tunnel infested with mosquitoes. One actor, David Barrera, almost fainted from spraying so much bug spray before he went in. He'll deny it but I was there! Ah yes, the life of a filmmaker ... I wouldn't change one minute of it!"

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