Meet Lito Velasco

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lito Velasco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lito, what inspires you?
Generally, I suppose you could say I’m inspired by the same things that I think inspire many other artists, including but not limited to: past history and current events, other artists and their works, love, people, family, etc. If I had to pick what most inspired me, I’d say it’s usually a combination of my emotions and feelings and the needs of the project itself. Since I’m usually scoring for a film or a work that will be viewed, I start with the story itself. How does the subject matter make me, as a viewer, feel? How does it move me? What sort of feelings and thoughts does it conjure within? Do those emotions match the response intended and desired by the filmmakers? Can I use those emotions to help evoke a musical work that will “do its job” and help tell the tale in a manner best for the project? Basically, do my feelings match the needs of the story that is trying to be told?

For example, “Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser and Hellraiser II”, the documentary I scored about the world and characters created by Clive Barker: the subject matter is, of course, grim, dark, and horrific. But, as anyone who is familiar with those films will tell you, when it comes to the Cenobites and the universe they inhabit, there’s also this sort of morbid allure​ at the heart of the story and within its characters. A kind of graceful, terrifying, patient seduction. So, naturally, the music needed to reflect those sensibilities. Shortly before I began composing the music for this assignment, there was a tragic, unexpected, sudden loss in our family, and this person was someone very near and dear to me. So, when it came time for me to compose, I tapped into the feelings of grief I was still processing. Whenever I thought of this person, the loss, and the shock of the circumstances surrounding their death, I felt this awful emotional pain that was also accompanied by the beauty of my memories of them and the time we spent together. There was a touch of beauty to the melancholy and heartbreak I was experiencing: and I did my best to​ capture the mood and impression of those conflicting feelings through my music.​ And the “place” I tapped into for that work actually became the name of the soundtrack album itself: “A Beautiful Darkness”.

​Of course, no artist can guarantee that our work will always, 100% of the time, evoke the intended response from each and every member of the audience. But​, as a composer, especially one whose primary works are created for film, we can do everything in our power to try to produce something that is not only true to us, but true to the story, the story’s needs, and the primary emotions associated with all of those things.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
This sort of prompt or question is a bit of a conundrum for me: I think many artists would readily admit that there are many commonalities between ​us, but, at the same time, we’re all looking to discover and share what makes us “special” or “unique” so that we can set ourselves and our “brand” apart from others.

For me, I suppose it would be a few key things:​ first, I won’t say I’m a “jack of all trades”, but I’m definitely multi-talented​, for which I’m very thankful, as that flexibility has helped me procure more gigs. Recently, my attention has been focused on film composing, which seemed to be a natural fit, given my enjoyment of the art, schooling, familial lineage, and lifelong love of film scores and movies. Thankfully, the feedback and audience reception to these efforts have been positive. As a composer, what sets me apart is probably my “voice”: as a performer, my “instrument” was percussion, and I always jump at the chance to utilize percussive instruments of any type in my scores, whether as background “colors”, accents, or primary instruments.

However, despite the fact that music composition is what “pays the bills” at this point in time, I’ve ​usually got​ other projects ​in the works that involve and make use of my voiceover and acting talents.​ I’ve been acting, whether it be on stage or on film, since I was about 6 years old and all that time I’ve been able to mimic​ others fairly well. That ability has led to my being able to channel dozens of different voices and impressions​, a skill that’s helped me land a good handful of roles in voiceover and live-action performance.​ And, as a voiceover artist and actor, I think what makes me different is simply my willingness to embrace the darker side of humanity and those aspects within myself – to basically play against “my type.” I say that because the feedback I’ve gotten from many industry people is, “affable, handsome, funny, cute guy-next-door type”. Yet, despite that, I’m regularly cast in villainous roles, often either behind a mask or under layers of prosthetic makeup – I’ve even portrayed iconic baddies such as Mark Hamill’s Joker​ and Robert Englund’s Freddy Krueger​.

Like I said, I know that part of the reason for me being cast this way is because of my ability to do impressions, but I really do think that my eagerness and willingness to “get ugly” or “go dark” is also part of why I land these roles. Let’s be honest: much of this industry is about placing people in “niches”. People figure out who you are, what you’re good at, the type you excel at portraying or type of art you’re proficient at, and then they ask you to do this sort of thing repeatedly, sometimes ad nauseam. And while I respect and understand the importance of and reasons for that, I think that my versatility is of great value in my life and art – my ability to tap into both sides of the human persona and experience, both the good and bad, light and dark, not only part of what sets me apart but also what I cherish within myself and my art, whether it’s music or acting​.

At the same time, I’ll be perfectly honest: if I I have, truly, been “typed” in any way, it’s in terms of being a “horror guy”. Horror is my expertise and passion, and I’ve basically embraced that idea for many reasons, not the least of which is that I’ve been a horror fanatic since I was a child (another enthusiasm passed on and introduced to me by my father). My love of the genre has fueled my art and filled my head with knowledge of the history and greats that people tend to think of whenever the word “horror” comes to mind. So if anyone ever checks my resumé and sees a pattern…it’s going to be that I’m “into horror”.

As far as “how did I get here”? I did so via the belief, help, and support of others, both outside of and inside the industry, as well as opportunities extended to me by people who saw something inside me that they believed in. In terms of my own contributions, I got here through persistence, hard work, staying true to myself and my loves, and embracing and utilizing my passions and talent. I don’t think any artist would ever say that their path was easy​.​ In fact, I tend to think that anyone who does ​s​ay so is either lying or exaggerating the truth.​ ​I overcome challenges in the way I assume most artists do, by virtue of all the qualities I just mentioned as well as other qualities I’m quite proud of: hope​fulness and tenacity. That refusal to give up and willingness to stay on my own path, no matter how many obstacles life has thrown in front of me or how many times I’ve been, proverbially, kicked to the curb​, is what has led me to this “place”. And I’m so grateful for every person, every experience, every moment. I wouldn’t trade any of them for anything.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Castaway in Burbank and Yamashiro for incredible meals and unforgettable cocktails paired with​ unmatched views of the city. The Local Peasant in Woodland Hills or Foreman’s Whiskey Tavern in Burbank for fun times, great eats, and great selection of potent drinks.​ The SugarMynt Gallery and “The Myers House” (from the greatest horror film of all time, John Carpenter’s 1978 classic, “Halloween”) in South Pasadena and Dark Delicacies in Burbank for a little horror-themed fun (if someone visited in October, I’d take them to “Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood” at Universal and “Reign of Terror” in Thousand Oaks, as well). For some fantastic and unique moviegoing experiences, we’d hit up my favorite theaters: The Vista, The Egyptian, and the New Bev.​ We’d sojourn to the Walt Disney Concert Hall during the fall and winter season or The Hollywood Bowl during Spring and Summer for must-see pop and orchestral concerts (you can’t beat a live orchestra playing the score for a screening of a classic such as “Raiders of the Lost Ark”). And finally, for some outdoor activities, ​we’d take in the calming scenery at ​Huntington Gardens, ​work up a sweat hiking the hills around Griffith Park Observatory,​ and relax on one of our Malibu beaches (you’ve just gotta hit the ocean at least once if you’re visiting Los Angeles).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people to whom I owe thanks for any success.

First, my parents, Maria and Richard: who had to, essentially, give up their own visions, hopes, and dreams so that they could responsibly support their family. They did everything they could to help me attend educational institutions such as The Interlochen Arts Academy, Indiana University, and The Juilliard School​, in order to receive training that would best serve my artistic abilities. I even owe gratitude to my father and mother for my talent itself, as they were both artists in their youth. My Father, who recently died, was a composer and actor, and on the day he passed, I promised him I’d continue doing everything I could to stay true to the reason for the sacrifices (of which there were many) he and my mother made: so that I c​an and will always pursue the life I now live​, one motivated by my passion for music and acting.

I​’d be remiss if, after mentioning my schooling, I didn’t also thank every person who helped fund the scholarships I earned as well as all the educators at those schools: yes, even the ones I didn’t “gel” with. After all, we’re shaped by both our positive and negative experiences – and sometimes the negative ones can have an even more profound and motivating effect on us.​ Then there are the countless number of friends and family I love who never gave up on me, always believed in and supported me, and have never wavered from my side: artist friends like Ryan Brown, Michael Granberry, Jeremy Chamberlin, Todd Nunes, David Woodruff, Dan Redfeld, Anthony Masi, and George Hill…. Industry friends and mentors such as Harry Manfredini, ​Christopher Young​, Danny Kahn, and Charles Bernstein​…. Family members like my deceased Godmother, Kathleen Gregory, my niece, Mina, my sister, Ana, and many others.​

Lastly, the ultimate shoutout needs to go to my wife, Jennifer Velasco, an incredible, beautiful (inside and out) human being who just so happens to be an aspiring model and actress herself: she’s my biggest and most vocal supporter and champion and has helped make everything I’ve achieved since I met her possible. I’m so grateful for every one of these people and my experiences with them, especially because, as I mentioned in my response about inspiration: they’re a big part of what helps me “find” and create my art.

Website: www.LitoVelasco.com

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/LitoVelasco23

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodLito/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hollywoodlito

Image Credits
“All Through the House” Poster (featuring Lito as “Santa”) courtesy The Readmond Company “Final Girls’ Bloodbath” poster (featuring Lito as looming villain) courtesy Queen Scream Productions Lito as Freddy Krueger courtesy David Woodruff Lito as The Joker courtesy Dan Gilbert Lito as Jerry Dandrige from “Fright Night” courtesy Adobe Images