WKAR TV producer John J. Valadez is a Peabody award-winning filmmaker who has written, directed and produced many nationally broadcast documentary films. He speaks with WKAR's Brooke Allen about the film "The Chicano Wave" and its inspiration.
In 2009 John J. Valadez wrote, directed and produced The Chicano Wave. The film is a history of Mexican American music which aired nationally on the PBS series Latin Music USA. The documentary returns to PBS nationwide in May, and there is a special preview screening of the film at WKAR tonight (April 13) at 7:00.
Valadez recently joined WKAR as a TV producer, charged with developing additional programs intended for the prime-time national schedule. In addition to his role with WKAR, Valadez will teach documentary filmmaking through joint appointments as professor of practice with the Department of Media and Information and the Film Studies Program at MSU.