About
"The challenge of the television industry is to generate hits and continue to be successful. It's a very tough business with lot of ebbs and flows. It is a constant challenge to do good work and it's lightning in a bottle when it finally happens."
In his two-hour-and-fifteen-minute interview, Silvo Horta (1974-2020) talks about his early projects, including writing the pilot The Furies with Ryan Murphy and the series Chronicle. He discusses creating the short-lived series Jake 2.0 and the pilot titled West Side. He recalls becoming involved with Ugly Betty, which was a remake of a Mexican telenovela co-produced by Salma Hayek. Horta recalls many aspects of his Ugly Betty experience, including shooting the pilot and casting Vanessa Williams when another actress proved unsatisfactory. He outlines the social impact of the show, which featured a Latina lead and several characters who were gay. He talks about dealing with the network on Ugly Betty, as well as its star, America Ferrera. Horta also speaks of his writing process and gives advice to aspiring television writers. Nancy Harrington conducted the interview on October 31, 2013 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Silvio Horta on the appeal of Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on the issue of sexuality on Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on the Latino heritage and social class of Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on writing the pilot The Furies with Ryan Murphy
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on the first script he sold; on writing the pilot The Furies with Ryan Murphy
On creating The Chronicle; on executive producing The Chronicle; on forming his own production company
On creating the series Jake 2.0; on being showrunner on Jake 2.0; on writing the pilot, West Side
On becoming involved with Ugly Betty; on the premise of Ugly Betty; on adapting the show for American audiences and striking the right tonal balance
Chapter 2
On the appeal of Ugly Betty; on shooting the pilot of Ugly Betty and casting Vanessa Williams; on being showrunner on the show
On the writing process for Ugly Betty; on dealing with the network on Ugly Betty; on the Latino, class aspects and sexuality of the show
On a typical production week for Ugly Betty; on the production design and wardrobe of Ugly Betty; on the shooting style of the show
On the character of "Betty Suarez" on Ugly Betty; on Eric Mabius as "Daniel Meade" on Ugly Betty; on Vanessa Williams as "Wilhelmina Slater" on the show
Chapter 3
On the cast of Ugly Betty and Ugly Betty's Emmy nomination; on favorite Ugly Betty moments; on the end of the show and its legacy
On his writing process; on challenges in the industry; on career highlights and regrets
Shows
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Silvio Horta on Ugly Betty's Emmy nomination
Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on becoming involved with writing Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on working with producer Salma Hayek on Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on working with the crew of Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on the characters and premise of Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on bringing Ugly Betty to an American audience
Silvio Horta on the tonal balance of Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on the appeal of Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on the presentation of Ugly Betty at the upfronts
Silvio Horta on shooting the Ugly Betty pilot and casting Vanessa Williams
Silvio Horta on his vision for Ugly Betty and plotting out the show in advance
Silvio Horta on being showrunner on Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on the process of writing for Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on juggling the storylines and characters of Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on coming up with ideas for Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on dealing with the network on Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on the Latino heritage and social class of Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on the issue of sexuality on Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on a typical production week for Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on the production design and wardrobe of Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on the shooting style of Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on America Ferrera as "Betty Suarez" on Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on Eric Mabius as "Daniel Meade" on Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on Vanessa Williams as "Wilhelmina Slater" on Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on the cast of Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on Ugly Betty's Emmy nomination
Silvio Horta on his favorite moments of Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on the end of Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on the legacy of Ugly Betty
Topics
Advertising and Sponsorship
Silvio Horta on the presentation of Ugly Betty at the upfront presentations to advertisers
Advice
Silvio Horta on advice to aspiring writers
Emmy Awards
Silvio Horta on Ugly Betty's Emmy nomination
Historic Events and Social Change
Silvio Horta on the Latino heritage and social class of Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on the issue of sexuality on Ugly Betty
LGBTQIA+
Silvio Horta on the issue of sexuality on Ugly Betty
Representation on Television
Silvio Horta on the Latino heritage and social class of Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on the issue of sexuality on Ugly Betty
Television Industry
Silvio Horta on the presentation of Ugly Betty at the upfront presentations to advertisers
Silvio Horta on advice to aspiring writers
Underrepresented Voices
Silvio Horta on the Latino heritage and social class of Ugly Betty
Professions
Show Creators
Silvio Horta on being showrunner on Ugly Betty
Silvio Horta on the process of writing for Ugly Betty
Writers
Silvio Horta on advice to aspiring writers
Silvio Horta on his writing process
Genres
Comedy Series
Silvio Horta on writing and showrunning Ugly Betty (Part 1)
Silvio Horta on writing and being showrunner on Ugly Betty (Part 2)
Silvio Horta on writing and showrunning Ugly Betty (Part 3)
People
Ryan Murphy
Silvio Horta on writing the pilot The Furies with Ryan Murphy