Juan Carlos Coto

writer, producer, director / I reject your orthodoxy / WINE IS LIFE / /

[Juan Carlos Coto @brasstab]

Hello friends,

STAR TREK turns 60 this year, and my brother Manny would have been 65.

The greatest sci-fi show ever made premiered when he was a little kid, and for some reason our Cuban parents used to put it on Friday nights. It never stuck, but then in reruns, Manny became obsessed — and he passed on that obsession to his little brother.

Manny grew up to achieve one of his biggest dreams — to run a Trek show. ENTERPRISE also has a big birthday this year: It’s turning 25!

Pancreatic cancer took Manny from us in 2023, but it did not take his spirit. I think of my brother every time I put pen to paper. He’s the reason I’m a writer, director and a showrunner.

So every year I walk — for Manny, for his family, and for everyone who’s lost someone to this terrible disease. It’s the least I can do.

Once again, I’m joining with Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer to walk in PanCan’s “Purple Stride” on April 25. If you can, please help me raise money to fight back. Your support has been incredible and humbling these past three years, helping make the Trek team #1 in L.A. and #1 in the nation (in our category).

I can’t thank you enough. `

Donate via the link below and if you can’t, please help spread the word. Share this message or tell anyone you know about PanCAN. Awareness is everything.

Live long, prosper and let’s beat this thing.

https://t.co/q4LQrGEgIa

#pancreaticcancer #pancan #PurpleStride #WageHope #StarTrek60 #TrekAgainstPancreaticCancer #StarTrek

[Juan Carlos Coto @brasstab]

This is glorious

[Matthew Modine @MatthewModine]

My new 2026 acting reel spanning almost 45 years of work.

[Juan Carlos Coto @brasstab]

@cheo_coker Remember me?

[Juan Carlos Coto @brasstab]

@MuseZack I wonder if he’s playing Calderon

[Jonathan @jonathanmb32]

RIP to one of the most pivotal voices in the show’s success over the years. Pulling off a shot like this on network TV in 2002 was wild as hell

[Jon Cassar @joncassar]

Sadly we've lost another 24 Family member yesterday, Rodney Charters. He'll be missed by family and friends and anyone and everyone who were lucky enough to spend time with him, watching him work, tell a story or explain why the last Mac upgrade will change your life. Condolences to his family. Rest in Peace Sir, you left your mark.

[Juan Carlos Coto @brasstab]

@joncassar A legend. One of the first DPs I ever worked closely with… on a show called “The Pretender.” I learned so much from him. He took me seriously, even when I was a dumb kid.

[The Movie Professor 🎬🎥📺 @FunMovieTVFan]

One John Hawkes' birthday, one of my favorites opening scenes...

[Beyond Fest @BeyondFest]

Yep. Michael Mann secretly recut his iconic Floridian fever dream.
MIAMI VICE: DIRECTOR’S FINAL CUT receives its World Premiere at Director’s Village on 10.3 with Mann in person.
@am_cinematheque

[Joe Menendez @TheJoeMenendez]

FANTASTIC trailer. Well done @CBS. Really captures the show's personality.

Yes, I directed an episode, but I'd ABSOLUTELY watch even if I hadn't.

It's a really clever new show from Robert and Michelle King.

Cupertino: Official Trailer | CBS https://t.co/HKhhbofbNl

[Juan Carlos Coto @brasstab]

@TheJoeMenendez Or, also currently, the "little girl sings rock song, hauntingly, in climax of the trailer"

[Joe Menendez @TheJoeMenendez]

Drone work is dangerously close to being overused in general now. It’s the 2026 version of the 1970s zoom lens.

[Juan Carlos Coto @brasstab]

@ChrisWillman Looks wild, indeed.

Separately, I'd love to nail down where in cinematic history the "follow the car with drone and put it in the bottom center of the frame" became a thing, because it's officially overused now

[Juan Carlos Coto @brasstab]

@m_jivetoaster @MuseZack Yes, total Silent Running and 2001 and LR vibes -- and all that Trumbull haha

[Juan Carlos Coto @brasstab]

@ApolloCrude @MuseZack Did not know that! I'm a massive Gene Coon fan. He was the unsung hero of the show. Invented the Klingons and the Prime Directive, yes? And wrote "Arena" over a weekend I think

[Juan Carlos Coto @brasstab]

@BBW_BFF I’m going to miss Mr. County

[Joe Menendez @TheJoeMenendez]

This is absolutely terrific advice. I did this on KUNG FU, which obviously wasn't microbudget, but helped us not shoot anything unnecessary. The ADs weren't big fans, because you can't just hose it and get done fast. I was always reminding them we shoot the script, not the schedule. Here's an example of something I directed for KUNG FU using the Hong Kong technique.

[Juan Carlos Coto @brasstab]

@BBW_BFF One ping only

[Juan Carlos Coto @brasstab]

Off the top of my head (which is still attached): the stories behind the transitions (which is what I came for cuz they blew me away), whiskey and cigarettes as crafty, Lambert’s stand in, Connery’s badassery, Clancy Brown’s insights and humility, shooting Silvercup, everyone recognizing the brilliance of Razorback, my heart breaking for the makeup folks who worked so hard on Heather, Roxanne Hart’s true terror, tourists who still run down that bridge screaming “Macleod!” (cuz I know that’s the first thing I would do), and Golan/Globus going full Gekko on Thorn/EMI

[Juan Carlos Coto @brasstab]

A great read with great stories about a great movie that was a great inspiration— amazing work @jon_melville @kindofmagicbook #therecanbeonlyone

[Juan Carlos Coto @brasstab]

@MuseZack That wonderful Scottish restaurant he is captivated by...