Today we’d like to introduce you to Rodney Aquino.
Hi Rodney, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Rodney Luis Aquino, born and raised in Florida. During my deployment overseas after Sept 11th,, My first initial introduction to the film world came to me when I was deployed after September 11th, 2001. When I was overseas, I watched movies and shows via a server we had that had movies and etc stored so we had something to do during our downtime. One particular series I watched was HBO’s “BAND OF BROTHERS.
I noticed there was a bts section in the series so I watched that and was amazed at how the show was made and by who. I quickly started researching schools that taught film and discovered Full Sail University in my home state of Florida. I later enrolled in the school in 2007 and graduated in 2009. Today, I am currently in Atlanta, GA working shows in different departments such as Production Assistant, camera, but my goal is to Produce and Direct.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road getting back into the director’s chair. Most shows are union shows so you need to be in the union to work and I want to join the DGA (DIRECTORS GUILD). I do create and shoot my own productions and also write on the side so at least to keep my creative mind flowing. Most of the struggles like everyone out there is finding an outlet to show your work so a majority of my work is online. The main struggle I’m seeing now is the current strikes so that has been a struggle financially for many people.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Well, I do love to Direct, so I write little skits to work with the cast and shoot just to have content. This helps me work on my skills and also learn how to implement new ideas. I am always learning so just going out and shooting little shorts helps me gauge my strengths and weaknesses. I go out every so often and shoot photography to keep my mind fresh with composition, lighting and etc. I’m really not a genre-specific creator, I love all genres but I do love autobiographical stories, so I’m leaning toward working on those sorts of projects.
One such project I directed was my first feature film that I am very proud of because I had an amazing cast and crew. “FINDING EDEN” was a post-apocalyptic film shot in Florida so we endured extreme heat with a small team of experienced filmmakers. Kraig Swisher, who was my classmate at Full Sail U, was the cinematographer and also wrote the film and together we made something special. We definitely learned a lot on that project.
What sets me apart from others? I’m no different than anyone else because we all love what we do when we do it. I love this industry; yeah it does have its ups and downs, but we all do what we can. I spend a lot of time in between shows just working on pitch decks and writing so I have an assorted amount of ideas ready to go when the time comes.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I’m an open book so there’s not much surprising. I love mostly bio stories, documentaries, and adventure-type films. I’m a veteran, I love art, an automotive enthusiast, I love the occasional book, and I play games every so often. I’m just a regular guy who loves to create new ideas.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.RODNEYLUISAQUINO.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rodneylaquino/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RodneyLuisAquino
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodneyluisaquino/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RodneyLuisAquinoDirector/videos
