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Its not just about the story ending.
Its the writers room that I adore, my cast because we are so close, and my editors.
It felt like such a great privilege to be able to give jobs to people.
And now I dont have that anymore.
Now Im sitting here corona-ing and wondering whats next.
I went through all the stages of grief while also being grateful we were getting six more.
Starz was fantastic about letting the episodes be what they needed to be, length-wise.
They were really respectful and supportive of making this a special season.
We had half a day less to shoot each episode.
We had to tighten the belt.
People had to be at their best all the time.
Its a lot of pressure.
Nico was such a dreamboat last year that we decided to scratch up her image a bit.
And Lyn losing her way in search of a family member also was important.
So, we started working from there.
The thing that I wouldnt do was I wouldnt write the last scene.
It didnt exist until the script so everyone got to read it at the same time.
It kind of wrote itself.
This song has never been in anything.
Macorina is the lesbian anthem of Latin America.
Ponme la mano aqui [put your hand here], its code.
For decades, its been code for lesbians in Latin America.
Chavela Vargas is singing it about a woman.
You directed your first TV episode last season.
Now you directed the last three episodes.
Before corona, I was supposed to go to take a course at the London Film Academy in cinematography.
Im so serious about this.
I dont have any training and I want to learn more.
And then, coronavirus.
Coronavirus!Did you see Cardi B?
So that didnt happen.
Oh my God, Ive been alone too long.
Youve directed four episodes and you still struggle with confidence?I never will feel confident.
]But I also dont feel confident anytime I write a script, so thats just me.
Im scared to mess up other peoples stuff.
Post-corona, maybe Ill feel different.
I say she cries!I wouldnt dare do that to someone elses TV show.
Vidaput you on a different career trajectory.
From then to now, it was a total life shift.
I was a mid-level writer.
I was a co-producer on a connection show.
And then I almost died.
When I was writing, I actually had MRSA.
So I wrote the pilot like that and then Ive just kept going for these three seasons.
Now, Im different.
Its weird because I still feel like a co-producer that doesnt know shit about the industry.
Im seen differently, but I still see myself the same.
How do you feel about taking on that role?Its overwhelming.
I sometimes feel like,Wait!
The emperor has no clothes![Laughs.]
People ask me, How do you pitch?
How do you sell?
Honey, Ive never done any of that.
But I am glad that its helped others feel they can do it, too.
Things have shifted since I started this.
Its not super different, but there are a few more Latinx shows.
The perception of the self shifts.
Right now, Im super militant about no stories about us without us.
Truly to the core,Vidadid that.
From the writing to the casting to the editing, we did that.
When I started this, I had been told things like, Why would you want to limit yourself?
Well, it doesnt feel like a limitation anymore.
And on the screen, thankfully.
