Camera Ready: From Hardship to the Spotlight

by Elsa E. Sevilla

Overview

What if the hardest parts of your past held the key to your future? Elsa E. Sevilla takes you from hardship to healing in a story of resilience, identity, and transformation.
Guided by struggle and shaped by determination, Elsa had no choice but to rise. Standing still was never an option. Fueled by purpose, she set out to break barriers and achieve the extraordinary. As an Emmy-nominated, award-winning filmmaker, journalist, and TV host, she has spent 35 years uncovering untold stories-because without them, we risk being erased. After conducting hundreds of interviews and producing 85 historical documentaries, she realized it was time to tell her own.
In this deeply personal memoir, Elsa reflects on the trauma that marked her childhood, the strength it took to survive, and the lessons that shaped her voice. From the newsroom to KPBS, her journey is proof that storytelling-and history-can heal, connect, and transform.
Camera Ready: From Hardship to the Spotlight is a powerful reminder that we can rise from pain, grow through adversity, and reclaim our place in the story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798895589045
Publisher:	Barker Books
Publication date:	06/09/2025
Pages:	142
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.33(d)

About the Author

Elsa Sevilla is an Emmy-nominated journalist, award-winning documentary filmmaker, television host, and passionate storyteller. With more than thirty-five years in television, Elsa began her career as a journalist and went on to cofound Sevilla Productions, LLC, where she produced eighty-five documentaries focused on uncovering untold stories—particularly those rooted in cultural heritage, resilience, and history.
She is the creator, executive producer, and host of the long-running KPBS/PBS series Historic Places with Elsa Sevilla, which aired for seventeen years. The show continues to inspire audiences to rediscover the people and stories that shaped their communities. The series was produced through Sevilla Productions, LLC, in collaboration with her partner, Guillermo Sevilla, who served as co-producer, photographer, and editor—helping bring each episode to life through compelling visuals and thoughtful storytelling.
Elsa’s work has highlighted the voices of Indigenous peoples, early Black pioneers, and Mexican and Chinese communities, while also documenting the architectural preservation of historic landmarks. Her documentaries have unearthed rich histories often left out of mainstream narratives. In 2025, production of the series concluded due to a lack of funding.
Raised in San Diego, Elsa’s storytelling is deeply grounded in her connection to community and her commitment to uplifting those whose stories have too often gone untold. She has dedicated decades to mentoring young women through MANA de San Diego, helping to build programs that empower Latinas to succeed in education, careers, and leadership.
Now a sought-after keynote speaker, Elsa shares her personal journey of perseverance, purpose, and intuition—reminding audiences of the transformative power of storytelling. She continues her mission to preserve history through public speaking, community engagement, and writing new books that bring overlooked stories to life—one story at a time.
Elsa lives in Southern California with her family.