Ernie Bustamante
Assistant Professor of Screenwriting | Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA, UNITED STATES
School of Film and Television
Biography
Ernie Bustamante is an Emmy-nominated TV writer, director, and connoisseur of nachos.
Raised by a big Mexican American and Puerto Rican family, he wrote and directed his first film in the 5th grade. The untitled horror premiered in Arizona in his parent’s rec room. And broke barriers for its all-Latino cast. His cousins.
Currently, he is developing a one-hour drama with Anonymous Content. And is in production on his first feature documentary.
Some of his writing credits include: an upcoming animated Netflix series, FLIPPED (Roku), LIV & MADDIE (Disney), and ROB (CBS).
In 2022, he earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing on ALMA’S WAY (PBS/Fred Rogers Prods).
As a creator, he has written pilot scripts for 20th Television, ABC Studios, Disney Television Animation, and others. He also served as Showrunner of the award-winning comedy web series, BORDER PATROL.
His mockumentary short, ELISE FOR CONGRESS, premiered at the 2021 AwesomeCon Film Festival in Washington, D.C. And has screened throughout the U.S., including the Warner Media New York Latino Film Festival.
As a comedian, Ernie hosts “The Latino Vote” — a variety talk show, featuring Latinx comedians and guests who discuss current events in politics and media. In 2019, the show was recognized for its social justice impact by the Yes, And...Laughter Lab -- a partnership between American University and Comedy Central.
Ernie has trained in sketch comedy at UCB Theatre and iO West. He is also an alumni of the ABC/Disney Writing Program and the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival.
Prior to LMU, Ernie was an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Columbia College Chicago, where he taught courses in the Comedy Writing and Performance program.
He received his BA in political science from Stanford University and MFA in screenwriting from UCLA..
Through his work in entertainment and academia, he aims to increase diversity in media.
Education (2)
Stanford University: B.A., Political Science
UCLA: M.F.A., Screenwriting
Areas of Expertise (4)
Digital Series
Comedy
TV Writing
Sketch
Affiliations (3)
- WGA
- American Society of Composers Authors Publishers
- The Animation Guild (I.A.T.S.E. Local 839)
Articles (1)
The Latino Vote: A Monthly Comedy Show That’s Filling a Void
Los AngelenoLIZ OHANESIAN
2019-03-20
After the 2016 election, comedian Ernie Bustamante noticed a lack of Latinx voices on cable news and late night TV. So, the politically-active performer started his own live show.
Social