94 Things That Changed My Life: My Father

Music Video that my father Directed. Song written by Milton Dorta and Victor Santiago

Today is father's day, so I thought it would be appropriate to dedicate my blog to my dad, Milton Dorta.

My father as a young man

My relationship with my father has always been an interesting one. I always remember him telling me as a kid, that he rather I fear and respect him than love him. Those are powerful words, and quite the gamble on his part. I guess I have a healthy fear of him, but I still manage to love him as well. You see I grew up with a lot of friends who didn't have dad's, and it wasn't because their fathers tragically past away, instead their dads just weren't there. My dad was always around and he always went to work and supported our family.

One of the things my father taught me about was baseball. Us at a spring training game, playing catch, and right before one of our softball games.

My dad acted in a lot of my shorts when I was going to college for film. I remember it being so hot the day that we filmed this, that we both couldn't see anymore because of all the salt in our eyes from sweating. Dad killed it with the comedy of course.

My father was always artistic. I remember watching him draw as a kid, and just thinking about how I'd give anything to have that talent. Even today, I am quite disappointed in myself for not being a traditional artist. My dad could make a church out of matchsticks, or take clay and model something out of nothing. My dad was always quite musically gifted, and could write a song with just 3 chords. Dad, you could have done anything you wanted with your life if you just applied yourself, and I know you know this, and kick yourself from time to time, but in all that chaos that you produce is undeniable skill. I work my ass off to be the artist that I am, but with you it comes as naturally as breathing.

That time that dad thought he could make it to the next gas station but was wrong and we got stranded and had to push his van...

Dad with the family

Like I said, my relationship with my father was always an interesting one. We could never talk to him like we talk to our mom. She was the good cop and he was the bad cop. My brother and I would often get a pit in our stomachs around 4 o'clock because we knew dad was coming home, and during that time, dad could be a bit scary. It wasn't until I became an adult that I actually got to authentically know my father, and my failure to launch kept me living at home in my 20's. It was a blessing in disguise, because I am glad to have gotten to know you dad, and I must admit I cried the day I finally moved out. You made me the man that I am, and I am thankful for that. Raising a child requires the perfect recipe of discipline and love, and unfortunately you got stuck being the one that kept me and my brother in line and because of that we are so well rounded.

My dad spent a lot of his life producing music, and now he's turned his focus into producing movies. My dad has produced a handful of movies with some notable actors, and has even had cameos in a couple of films. My entire life my dad has been obsessed with making in life. Well I hate to break it to you pops, but you already made it. You won.

Dad with Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Eric Roberts, and acting in a movie

Happy Father's Day

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