Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Rodriguez.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My artistic journey to becoming a filmmaker is I think intriguing. I can tell you how my love for film making sprouted from re-watching my “Toy Story”, “Space Jam” and “A Bug’s Life” VHS’s on repeat as a kid in my parents bedroom, or how watching Sam Raimi’s “Spiderman” in the theater with my brothers in 2001 blew my mind, but I think the artistic journey can be traced back more intrinsically to some of the different hobbies that changed me and took me to where I am today.
I was born and raised in Miami and the child of two hardworking Hispanic immigrants, with my grandparents moving here wanting to pursue a better life.
Growing up I was always a daydreamer, thinking more idealistically and conceptually around things or thinking of the unknown future compared to the other kids in grade school. I always had a love for stories as well as expressing myself creatively visually.
My first creative endeavor began with a pencil and paper drawing at around the age of 5 to 6. I would fanatically draw some of my favorite characters that inspired me growing up, everything from shows like “Dragon Ball Z” and to games like “The Legend of Zelda”. I was always very determined to make it look as close to the pictures as possible.
Around the ages of 9 to 10, my love for video games grew more passionate, and I started reviewing them with some grade school friends. We would have a shared folder where we would write page long essays about why we liked some of our favorite Gamecube and PlayStation 2 games in detail with a rating system.
Later I transitioned towards making webcomics with my friends at around the ages 11 to 13. We would use Microsoft Paint and rip video game sprites from the internet to make our own stories or parodies and make each other laugh as we sent updates to each other on AIM Messenger.
Fast forwarding past many experiences throughout middle and high school, I started college right after high school not sure of what I wanted to do as a career path. I was also enduring some hardships in my life out of my control at the time. I knew I wanted to do something creative as I’ve always done in my life, but that was something I needed to figure out on my own. No one can truly tell you what you need to do but yourself. It was a tough and very introspective time in my life, but I always thought what my dad, having the background he had, taught me. No matter what I choose to do in life, always work hard and be the best at it.
With that in mind, I took general education courses and was suggested by a friend of mine I should intern at MDC-TV the tv station located at the college who she knew the director of. I volunteered with them grasping knowledge of the camera and slowly took a liking to what they had to offer and the enjoyment of creating television programming before my eyes. I was starting to grow a new passion in life little by little.
I later on saw the movie “Clerks” at a coming of age moment in my life, and that’s what solidified it for me. I realized I wanted to create content and entertain people through the screen, I wanted to affect people’s lives through film-making.
After volunteering with MDC-TV for a year and a half, a job opened up, and before I knew it, I’ve been working for them for three years now as a Multi-Media Producer and Camera Operator with a Bachelors in Film and Digital Production as well as directed a few short films.
Please tell us about your art.
I write and direct short films as well produce an online entertainment filler show called “Short Scoop” for the TV/YouTube channel MDC-TV where I write, host, direct and edit the show myself.
Working with the TV station, I’ve been awarded 3 Suncoast Emmys from the The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for working on productions such as “Video Game Concert@MDC” “Video Game Concert@MDC Episode 1” and “Fashion Forward | Episode 1”
Writing and directing short films is a passion of mine as I’ve always had a love for storytelling In any kind of media. I intently make sure I have a message that I want to get across while also being entertaining and compelling visually.
Making the show Short Scoop and online content in general is so invigorating because not only do I get to talk about what I like entertainment wise and combine that with visual graphics and close-ups applying what I know from the film industry, but it just goes to show content isn’t limited towards the big screen and isn’t overrated as some might think.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
I think the biggest challenge facing artists today is branding yourself and overthinking your work. Finding out what’s best for you, being consistent, and not second-guessing what’s good enough to show the world. We live in a digital world now, and it’s always key to adapt to the times and be open-minded to learning new tricks as well as overcoming anything internal that affects you moving forward.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Currently, I have two short films in the Film Festival Run “Homelessness” and “When She Flies” that you’ll be hearing more about in the later future.
You can support me by following me on social media and seeing when I post about projects and a new youtube channel I’ll be releasing soon this year.
You can check out my past work I’ve done on my Vimeo page linked!
Contact Info:
- Email: dannyrod67@gmail.com
- Instagram: @dannyrozzkid
- Twitter: @dannyrozzkid
- Other: https://vimeo.com/danielmrodriguez
Image Credit:
Maikel Garcia
Sly Jackson
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