Oskar Toruno 
Senior Lecturer of Production | Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA, UNITED STATES
School of Film and Television
Media
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Biography
Oskar was born and raised in Los Angeles by immigrant parents from Nicaragua. He earned his B.A. at California State University, Long Beach in Film and Electronic Media with an emphasis in Screenwriting and his M.F.A. in Screenwriting at Chapman University.
After CSULB, Oskar Toruno worked as a social worker for Latino Family Institute Inc., the first dually licensed Latino adoption and foster care agency in Southern California. For six years Oskar Toruno fulfilled a Federal grant to find more homes for Latino children, older children, special needs and siblings that are in the foster care system.
Later, Oskar worked three years in development and as a producer at LATV, a west coast television station that targeted young English speaking Latino audiences.
During his time at LATV, Oskar wrote and produced The Homies Hip Hop Show, Mas Comedy and LATN. The Homies Hip Hop Show, based on the famous two-inch figurines, became the highest rated show on LATV and was later distributed on DVD by Polychrome.
Among Oskar Toruno's DVD feature films are the comedy film "Primos" (produced and distributed by Distrimax) and "Barrio MMA". Based on the popular hit song, Oskar produced, wrote and performed in "Lean Like a Cholo" (now entitled Perfect Sunday) additional footage for its digital release now available on Prime.
Oskar has served as Line Producer and Development Executive at Mio TV, a Latino themed company creating online content for the growing Latino audience. Shows included Student Lounge (David Salzman/Mad TV), Camera Cafe and The B Gate (New Yorican Production). For over 4 years Oskar was a successful coordinator at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival.
Recently, Oskar wrote and produced the comedy feature film “Taco Shop” picked up by Sony Entertainment (https://youtu.be/WuHvZhaB6Go) and has completed the feature screenplay “Breaking Out Grandma” a feature dramedy about two brothers attempting to break out their grandmother from an ice detention camp. Oskar Toruno continues to teach Film and Television Production at Loyola Marymount University and writes screenplays about the Latino experience in the United States.
Education (2)
Chapman University: M.F.A., Screenwriting
California State University, Long Beach: B.A., Film and Electronic Media
Areas of Expertise (3)
TV Writing and Production
Feature Film Writing and Production
Blogwriting
Industry Expertise (6)
Performing Arts
Fine Art
Education/Learning
Writing and Editing
Motion Pictures and Film
Entertainment
Links (5)
Media Appearances (1)
The For'Em With Paula Jai & Kurupt
Paula Jay Parker online
2021-03-11
Paula and Kurupt welcome writers Jamie Nieto (Family Time) and Oskar Toruno (Taco Shop) to the show to discuss becoming potential writers for Paula's and Kurupt's new sitcom.
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