Meet Ziggy Rosado

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ziggy Rosado

Ziggy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a kid, I was always very imaginative. Despite the rough upbringing, I would make up intense stories of grandeur. From the planet I was from, to the powers I had, and even what my daily schedule as this out of earth being was like. Then, I would wake up the next day and become an archeologist digging dirt with a history book by my side. Day after that, I would open up my own restaurant, or even my own classroom teaching my stuffed animals. I was always quite the story teller. I’m glad that I have grown up to become just that, a storyteller. Films and books were the few constants in my life I could depend on that I knew would always be there. With films I knew that from the moment I would hit pause nothing else mattered until I hit play and picked up where I left off. It’s been quite the eventful story to how I ended up becoming a filmmaker, but I am so grateful I am where I am now.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has not been smooth, to say the least. I grew up very religious (jewish) and from a low-income household with a single mother. I was taught to pick a career that made money. So, I always entertained my mother telling her I would be a lawyer or a doctor but as I got older, I knew none of those were meant for me. Film and acting were a passion that I found out I had my senior year of high school. But the spark had been there since I was a child. Due other’s lack of understanding of my sexuality, gender, and need for expression, I had been ostracized, bullied, and even forced to leave the place I called home by the people I trusted. I had to make money fast but I wanted to have the flexibility of being an artist, so I became a hairdresser. I didn’t make loads of money but enough to scrape by. I knew film is where I wanted to be so I wiggled my way into the industry (still am). Now, a few years later, I have my first film currently in post-production. Soon to be released.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a filmmaker, a writer, a poet, a hairdresser, but most importantly, a story teller. As a non-binary, gay jew of color (Dominican/Puerto Rican) I have quite the perspective on life. I think it is so vital for me to be able to transcribe that perspective, the complex inner turmoils affected by the woes of everyday life and all its delicate charm. To show people a world beyond them, yet have them experience something so within themselves. To show the beauty in something strangely unknown or the horrors of something so natural as falling in love. To show that duality is something that drives my work. Like a surreal nightmare that left you pondering in the morning soon after waking up. Somehow, I have managed to film my heartbreak fever dream, “Rituals of the Heart”, amidst this pandemic. With safety precautions and testing of course. I am so proud of everyone involved. It was a handful of us but we made it happen. I can’t wait to premiere next year. I’m excited for all the more stories I have to tell. Follow my Instagram for more updates @ziggyrosado Also grateful I was able to start a virtual trans support group, “Trans Safe Space”@transsafespacemia on Instagram ,with Mariana, during this pandemic and was able to bring members of our community together and remind us that we will always find a way to be there for each other.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
For my first film. a big thank you to my DP Karli, my props and SFX Lizzie, my lead actress Aeon, my makeup artist Rae, my right hand and costume designer Dynelyn, Rafa with location, and the one who captured the magic and chaos behind the scenes, David. All of you made this production possible. And a very special thank you to Mory, (my loving sister who always guides me), Yosef (my mentor/father figure who has recently passed away this year), Alfred (beauty school teacher who taught me way more than just cosmetology), Nivero+Javier (who taught me about my self-worth and how valuable it is), Nazareth (who always believes in me and supports my efforts), Mariana (who showed me I’m not alone) ,and Pam (if Virgil guided Dante through hell, you guided me to me earthly heaven, you taught me how to make my dreams a reality). Thank you so much to all of you. I am eternally grateful for each and every one of ya.

Contact Info:

• Email: ziggyrosadofilms@gmail.com
• Instagram: @ziggyrosado