It was a critical hit, receiving five Independent Spirit Award nominations, including Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay.

[1] This allegorical tale concerns the gap that exists between East and West Los Angeles as Latino kids try to pursue the American Dream.

At the urging of his father, a pimp who sells maps to stars' homes as a cover, the young man turns to hustling as a way to meet Hollywood insiders.

[2] Things start to look up when he hooks up with the producer of the popular daytime soap opera Carmel County.

[3] He described Star Maps as the "worst idea" a first time filmmaker could attempt, due to its large number of characters and locations, as well as the unorthodox subject matter.