Several years ago we had the pleasure of meeting an actor, and a true gentleman, by the name of Dennis Ambriz. He first attracted our attention through social media and our search for the perfect “face” and “voice” for an Indigenous series we were working on at the time.
As we got to know Dennis and his love for his family and acting, we learned how his film career began to take shape. In his younger years, he started as a bodybuilder, competing in California State contests. At that time, he also began acting classes not knowing when, or if, the opportunity of real acting would ever come along. Years later, in 1996, Dennis’ chance came through the film, Almost Heroes. They were looking for Native Americans, and he showed up at his audition in full regalia. He almost got a speaking part but ended up as a featured extra. But, the process of actually being on a movie set and creating a character cemented his love for “moviemaking.”
“I was thrilled with the opportunity and the whole process of bringing the movie to life. I knew I could be a principal actor if I studied. My teacher saw my passion and filled me with ideas, thoughts and lots of practical acting work, and I grew as an actor. These acting classes taught me a lot about myself as a person and an Oscar Wilde quote challenged my thinking on myself and acting, ‘Be Yourself, Everyone else is Taken.’”
~ Dennis Ambriz
Through his love for storytelling and his creative imagination, Dennis has become an actor who can put himself into the part and carry the message through. His career has taken him from theater to TV to feature films. Some of his most notable productions include — Theater: Chief Joseph (lead), Who Killed Jane, The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe (lead) and It’s a Wonderful Life; TV: Out of the Woods (Hallmark) and Scare Tactics (lead); Film: The Secret of Wilson Hill (lead), Crooked Arrow (lead), Cowboys and Indians, Hidalgo, Goodbye My Love and Almost Heroes.
Sacajawea, The Windcatcher’s production team is so grateful and proud to include Dennis Ambriz in our film as Raven Brave. This is a character of history who does not go on the expedition to the Great Water, but he has a significant part in the story we are going to tell. In a meeting with Thomas Jefferson, Raven Brave, the Arikara chief, delivers a powerful, universal message. It is a message we must listen to even in our time.
We invite you to watch for our updates as we continue to soar in 2019 for Sacajawea. Dennis’ voice will also be heard on our upcoming teaser reel to be posted on our Youtube channel over the coming months.
We are committed to the power of creativity, imagination, transparent faith and the belief in something greater than our humanness, which is quite magical! We want you to come with us on this unique and life-changing journey. Follow us and share our posts on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, IMDB. Get updates directly from our website – see all the links below and don’t miss a second!
As Dennis says, and we take to heart, “Perseverance, determination and a continued love of the work – there’s nothing like it! Remember you are enough, you were created in a very special way. Own who you are and run with it!”
ONWARD, we soar on the winds of Love!
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