PCM Interview with Gloria Calderon Kellett
By: Bernadette Giacomazzo

1. First, obvious question: Tell us who you are. Name, rank, serial number, any awards you've received.
My name is Gloria Calderon Kellett. I am a writer and actor. Thankfully, my awards are numerous so please to my website at everythinggloria.com for a complete list.

2. Tell us about writing for How I Met Your Mother. How did you get that opportunity? What's it like writing for such a hit television show?
I had the great privilege of writing on that show for three years. I worked with the creators, Carter Bays and Craig Thomas on another show and we became friends. When "HIMYM" made it to air they kindly asked me to join them. I had a great time writing for that show. It's a tricky time in television but it was wonderful to be writing on a show that I was so proud to be a part of. The cast, crew and everyone involved was top notch. I learned a ton there.

3. Tell us some of the differences between writing for television, and writing plays. I know you've had some successful plays in the past -- would you consider writing more plays in the future?
I love writing plays. It is my first love - writing-wise. But it is very tricky to make a living as a playwright. There is something really pure to me about the relationship between the audience and the material with theater. Every night is different. The energy changes and the piece evolved. It's a very cool experience. Plus, when I get to write theatre I am the sole writer. Whereas, with TV everyone collaborates. What ends up airing is from the mind of many writers. So, it's much less about the individual. Both are very rewarding and interesting. But, with TV, we can't be in the homes of our viewers watching them watch the show. We can't see when they laugh, etc. And you can do that with theater. It's a more personal artform for me.

4. How would you describe the two web series you've written? How does writing for the web differ from writing for television?
The webweries were fun. Writing for the web is exciting because there are no rules. The biggest difference is in the amount of time for storytelling. With the web you really hit a sweet spot at 2 minutes. So, it's a cool challenge to see what you can get out in under 5 minutes.

5. Are there any plans to write a screenplay in the future?
Yes. I am currently working on a screenplay.

6. Tell us about your comedy troupe And Donkey Makes Five. What sorts of comedy do you do?
It's a sketch comedy group. It's in the style of "Saturday Night Live". There are five of us and we are all writers. We've all been so busy working that we haven't done a show in awhile. But it was a lot of fun and taught me a lot about collaboration and working as a team to make something funny.

7. Tell us about your experiences with being a Latina in the entertainment industry. Would you say that being Latina has afforded you new and different opportunities that otherwise would not have existed for you?
What sort of obstacles, if any, have you had to overcome as a result of your heritage?
I have been very fortunate in that I have never felt that my heritage was a deterrent to anyone hiring or working with me. I have heard stories but my experience has been very positive. And I do think that it has afforded me opportunities because it's part of who I am just like being female has afforded me opportunities...being who I am is what I bring to the table as a writer.

8. Tell us about your experiences in London, versus in Los Angeles. Would you say that geographic location makes a difference in your opportunities, or experiences, especially in this day and age of the Internet?
The British TV system is really cool. They have much shorter seasons and therefore tend to have more time to nurture their stories because they aren't under such a deadline to produce quickly. I like it. With 22 episodes you are really working against the clock which doesn't always create the best circumstances for creativity. Then again, sometimes a clock forces amazing creativity. I have experiences both. But I loved my time in London. It is a city of walkers. People are around each other more. In Los Angeles we spend a lot of time alone in our cars. So, that creates a type of loneliness.

9. What can we expect this season on How I Met Your Mother?
Your guess is as good as mine as I am no longer on the show. I had a baby and am home this year caring for her. But I did sell a pilot to CBS which Courtney Cox is producing. It's a comedy with a female lead which is a lot of fun to write. Fingers crossed.

10. Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring writers who want to be in this industry?
I would tell them that they need to create their own path. They need to try to determine what sets them apart and nourish that. For me, it was the plays. I loved those and had a passion for those and by putting those up I got every job that I have to date.