EXCLUSIVE: Production is currently underway on the indie feature Otra in Atlanta and Puerto Rico with Rome Flynn (Godfather of Harlem, How to Get Away with Murder), María Gabriela de Faría (The Moodys), Flor Delis Alicea and Aria Celeste Castillo (Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living, NCIS: New Orleans) leading the cast.
From longtime Tyler Perry collaborator Armani Ortiz in his solo directorial debut, Otra is an emotionally charged new-age Latino musical that redefines the boundaries of the genre, shot entirely in a single, continuous take.
“I’ve been dreaming and planning for this project for the better part of five years, and for it to be my first solo debut feature film feels like fate,” Ortiz shared in a statement to Deadline. “From a filmmaking perspective, I really wanted to do something that the audience has never seen before—the first-ever one-shot musical in cinema history. And if there happens to already be a one-shot musical, then I guarantee it was not made for the budget we have.”
A decade-long mentor and creative partner, Perry lends his support as executive producer on the film, a full-circle moment for Ortiz.
“Having Tyler as my mentor and father figure for over a decade has been the biggest blessing of my life,” he said. “I told him I wanted to follow in his footsteps—self-financing the film and telling an original story that blends my culture and experience in a way that audiences have never seen before.”
Perry echoes that belief.
“I’ve had the opportunity to watch Armani grow into an amazing storyteller. From the moment he began working at Tyler Perry Studios over a decade ago, to directing my documentary, Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story, and working on several series at the studio—he has grown so much as a writer, director, and actor. Otra is a story about love, fate, and finding your voice. I’m excited for Armani’s solo directorial debut, and for audiences to see his vision come to life.”
Ortiz also produces with Daniel Etzioni and Deance Wyatt. Asante White serves as lead producer.
Flynn’s most recent projects include Apple TV+’s four-episode anthology series Side Quest, a fresh and thoughtful spinoff of Mythic Quest expanding on how games affect people in different ways. In addition, he recently landed a role on Apple’s limited series Imperfect Women, where Flynn is cast as Jordan, Kerry Washington’s love interest. He can currently be seen as Frank Lucas (previously portrayed by Denzel Washington in American Gangster) in MGM+’s fourth season of Godfather of Harlem, opposite Forest Whitaker.
De Faria appeared in Fox’s hit comedy Animal Control, opposite Joel McHale. She previously starred in two seasons of the network’s ensemble family comedy The Moody’s, alongside Denis Leary and Elizabeth Perkins, in Syfy’s Deadly Class, executive produced by Joe and Anthony Russo. Her film credits include Lionsgate’s action-thriller The Duel, the supernatural thriller The Exorcism of God, and R#J. She will next be seen in James Gunn’s DC Studios feature Superman, starring alongside David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan.
Alicea is a Puerto Rican actress and dancer who began performing at a young age, as a salsa dancing competitor, a model, and public speaker. Her early acting experiences included commercials and musicals. In 2020, she moved to New York and later to Los Angeles to pursue formal acting training, graduating from the American Academy of the Performing Arts with a degree in acting. Alicea made her feature film debut in Love the Skin You’re In, directed by Kenn Michael.
Castillo is an actress and dancer known for her commercial and scripted work, including BET’s Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living, NCIS New Orleans for CBS, and Nickelodeon’s School of Rock. She is passionate about literature, writing, and helping to fill the Afro-Latina disparity on the big screen and beyond.
