Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Area Resident Acts, Raps, Runs Businesses
 |
| VIRTUOSO. Allen Maldonado will star in the film “The Ugly Truth.” — Gazette Photo By Darcy Leigh Richardson |
By Darcy Leigh Richardson
Staff Writer
“Your will has to be stronger than your skill.”
Allen Maldonado lives by those words, and his drive to succeed in the entertainment industry has kept his spirits up when there have been challenges.
The 26-year-old Long Beach resident said he has been building his acting and music career since he was 19 and living in San Bernardino County.
His hard work appears to be coming to fruition with a main role in the upcoming feature film “The Ugly Truth,” starring Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler.
In addition to acting and being a hip-hop artist, Maldonado is founder of two Long Beach companies: Only Son Productions and Get It Done (G.I.D.) Records.
“I wanted to create opportunities for other actors and musicians who might not be able to showcase their talents,” Maldonado said. “I want to ultimately produce and direct major films. I recruit artists in whom I see room for growth and the ambition to become better.”
As a high school student in Rialto, Maldonado started acting in skits and plays. Maldonado said his first love was basketball, not acting, but he knew becoming a professional athlete was not probable.
“I just wasn’t going to grow any more,” Maldonado said. “I’m 5 feet, 7 inches.”
His first role in a film came in 2002 with “Friday After Next,” and Maldonado was in a scene with the film’s star, Ice Cube.
“I played a kid in the house that Ice Cube was running through and I was trying to hit him with a pool stick,” Maldonado recalled. “I almost got him too, because he didn’t duck fast enough. That would have been terrible to hit the star.”
Following that movie, Maldonado started receiving roles on television shows, ranging from the soap opera “Young and the Restless” to “Judging Amy” and “The Shield.”
But things were not always easy. Maldonado said he remembers taking a bus, two trains and riding his bike to get to acting classes in Los Angeles when he was living in San Bernardino.
While Maldonado was on the “Young and the Restless” in 2004, he was standing outside his acting class one evening when a drunk driver jumped the curb and hit him with his truck. Maldonado’s injuries were so severe that he had to quit acting for four months.
“I’m really blessed to be able to do what I’m doing,” Maldonado said. “You can’t be timid, you have to throw everything in. I couldn’t let the struggles hold me back. My inspiration is my mother. I feel she’s done the impossible. She raised three kids by herself … and that’s more difficult than anything I’ve ever come across.”
Since Maldonado is the youngest of three children and the only son, he named his film and television production company Only Son. The name for his music company, Get It Done, comes from his constant desire to see everything to completion.
“I rarely sleep because I need to see the final product,” Maldonado said. “It all falls into place. I just stay focused.”
When Maldonado raps, he uses the name “DawOne.” His music has been featured in Foot Locker stores, Starbucks and 24 Hour Fitness locations across the country.
“I go to the gym, so I have heard my songs there and it’s pretty cool,” Maldonado said. “My family hears my music and they call me up to tell me.”
After “The Ugly Truth,” Maldonado said he is going to be in a film that combines his two loves, acting and basketball. Later this year he will be in “Ball Don’t Lie,” a film based on the book by Matt de la Pena about a foster child who has remarkable basketball skills.
“I think all my hard work is coming to a head and people are beginning to take notice,” Maldonado said. “I don’t do anything special, I just do it.”
Matthew-David Smith, director of marketing for Maldonado’s companies, said their drama teacher at Rialto High School introduced them several years ago. Smith, 21, said he admires Maldonado’s ambition.
“Allen’s a big brother and a mentor to me,” Smith said. “These companies are unlike anything I have ever experienced. Everyone is working really hard, and we have seven artists signed (to G.I.D. Records). We’ve organized a school tour in the San Fernando Valley and the artists perform for the kids. There’s a lot of positive reinforcement going on.”
Smith said Only Son is producing a television pilot this year — a hip-hop commentary program.
Maldonado also is producing and starring in a short film, “In 30 Minutes.” The film is about a group of slackers trying to delay a pizza deliveryman from getting the pizza to them in 30 minutes so they can eat it for free.
“Long Beach is the perfect spot for the companies,” Smith said. “We’re in the perfect spot and in the center of everything. L.A. is always just a phone call away for meeting with other industry players.”
For more information or to contact Get It Done Records and Only Son Productions, call (818) 667-5737 or visit www.getitdonerecords.com.
Allen Maldonado lives by those words, and his drive to succeed in the entertainment industry has kept his spirits up when there have been challenges.
The 26-year-old Long Beach resident said he has been building his acting and music career since he was 19 and living in San Bernardino County.
His hard work appears to be coming to fruition with a main role in the upcoming feature film “The Ugly Truth,” starring Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler.
In addition to acting and being a hip-hop artist, Maldonado is founder of two Long Beach companies: Only Son Productions and Get It Done (G.I.D.) Records.
“I wanted to create opportunities for other actors and musicians who might not be able to showcase their talents,” Maldonado said. “I want to ultimately produce and direct major films. I recruit artists in whom I see room for growth and the ambition to become better.”
As a high school student in Rialto, Maldonado started acting in skits and plays. Maldonado said his first love was basketball, not acting, but he knew becoming a professional athlete was not probable.
“I just wasn’t going to grow any more,” Maldonado said. “I’m 5 feet, 7 inches.”
His first role in a film came in 2002 with “Friday After Next,” and Maldonado was in a scene with the film’s star, Ice Cube.
“I played a kid in the house that Ice Cube was running through and I was trying to hit him with a pool stick,” Maldonado recalled. “I almost got him too, because he didn’t duck fast enough. That would have been terrible to hit the star.”
Following that movie, Maldonado started receiving roles on television shows, ranging from the soap opera “Young and the Restless” to “Judging Amy” and “The Shield.”
But things were not always easy. Maldonado said he remembers taking a bus, two trains and riding his bike to get to acting classes in Los Angeles when he was living in San Bernardino.
While Maldonado was on the “Young and the Restless” in 2004, he was standing outside his acting class one evening when a drunk driver jumped the curb and hit him with his truck. Maldonado’s injuries were so severe that he had to quit acting for four months.
“I’m really blessed to be able to do what I’m doing,” Maldonado said. “You can’t be timid, you have to throw everything in. I couldn’t let the struggles hold me back. My inspiration is my mother. I feel she’s done the impossible. She raised three kids by herself … and that’s more difficult than anything I’ve ever come across.”
Since Maldonado is the youngest of three children and the only son, he named his film and television production company Only Son. The name for his music company, Get It Done, comes from his constant desire to see everything to completion.
“I rarely sleep because I need to see the final product,” Maldonado said. “It all falls into place. I just stay focused.”
When Maldonado raps, he uses the name “DawOne.” His music has been featured in Foot Locker stores, Starbucks and 24 Hour Fitness locations across the country.
“I go to the gym, so I have heard my songs there and it’s pretty cool,” Maldonado said. “My family hears my music and they call me up to tell me.”
After “The Ugly Truth,” Maldonado said he is going to be in a film that combines his two loves, acting and basketball. Later this year he will be in “Ball Don’t Lie,” a film based on the book by Matt de la Pena about a foster child who has remarkable basketball skills.
“I think all my hard work is coming to a head and people are beginning to take notice,” Maldonado said. “I don’t do anything special, I just do it.”
Matthew-David Smith, director of marketing for Maldonado’s companies, said their drama teacher at Rialto High School introduced them several years ago. Smith, 21, said he admires Maldonado’s ambition.
“Allen’s a big brother and a mentor to me,” Smith said. “These companies are unlike anything I have ever experienced. Everyone is working really hard, and we have seven artists signed (to G.I.D. Records). We’ve organized a school tour in the San Fernando Valley and the artists perform for the kids. There’s a lot of positive reinforcement going on.”
Smith said Only Son is producing a television pilot this year — a hip-hop commentary program.
Maldonado also is producing and starring in a short film, “In 30 Minutes.” The film is about a group of slackers trying to delay a pizza deliveryman from getting the pizza to them in 30 minutes so they can eat it for free.
“Long Beach is the perfect spot for the companies,” Smith said. “We’re in the perfect spot and in the center of everything. L.A. is always just a phone call away for meeting with other industry players.”
For more information or to contact Get It Done Records and Only Son Productions, call (818) 667-5737 or visit www.getitdonerecords.com.
 |
 |
|
| LAPD Officer Shoots Suspect | Equal Benefits Rules Aim At City Vendors |
Tamra Smith wrote on Jul 24, 2009 11:46 AM:
This guy should have a street named after him for all the hard work and sacrifices that he has done for his family, himself and for his commuity. He has gone thru so much and has rose up and has now become very successful in running two businesses, etc. Allen you are a pure genius when it comes to your craft for music and acting!!!
I will definately go and see him in The Ugly Truth movie and any other major movie that he stars in as well attend any concerts and events he hosts or is apart of in the near future!!!!!! "