Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Rodriguez.
Hi Joe, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I graduated from Rivera High School in Brownsville, Texas. Following graduation, I faced difficulties securing employment due to a lack of experience, as most positions required prior work history. Unfortunately, I was not accepted into any colleges because of my low GPA, a result of not applying myself as diligently as I should have during high school.
Uncertain of my next steps, I moved to Indiana with my best friend, Thomas, and began working in factories, where no experience was required. I was hired by Millennium, where I operated machinery for car motor parts. The compensation was decent, and I began developing valuable skills. Eventually, I secured a better-paying position at Supreme Industries as a line worker. For the first time in my life, I was earning money I had never experienced before—even during my upbringing. That financial progress served as motivation for me.
Later, I received an offer from a highly reputable company, Keystone, where I helped build RVs. At 19, I was earning more money than I ever imagined, and it opened my eyes to the idea that there is always something greater to strive for when you’re willing to work for it.
Motivated to do more, I explored other opportunities and decided to enlist in the United States Army in 2017 as a Infantryman. I was stationed in Germany for four years. During my deployment, I began creating short videos, which received a positive response from viewers. Encouraged by the feedback, I started producing more short films. One of my fellow soldiers, Tyson Goodweasel, took notice and asked me about my post-military plans. I initially planned to return to Texas to study psychology, but he proposed an alternative: to move to Los Angeles with him and attend film school.
Inspired by the idea, I agreed and enrolled at the Los Angeles Film School in 2020, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Film Directing. During my time there, I was approached by Jeff Reyes with an opportunity to appear on the television show S.W.A.T.—despite having no prior acting experience. I accepted the challenge, and my performance led to additional opportunities, including appearances in music videos. This sparked a genuine interest in acting as well.
Eventually, I met Jae Rivera, who became my business partner. We discovered a shared vision and creative passion, which led to the production of our first official short film, Pitched Out. During pre-production, we reached out to Noel G., known for his role in Fast and the Furious, and pitched him our script. He agreed to join the project.
While filming, both Jae and I were introduced to Joe and Marv Brown, whose son, Jacob Brown, was cast in a role. Thanks to a connection facilitated by Sarina Ranee, Joe and Marv—both influential figures in the industry—took an interest in our work and became our mentors, guiding us through the business side of filmmaking. I am deeply grateful for their support.
I graduated from the Los Angeles Film School with a Bachelor’s degree in Film Directing. Today, I am proud to call myself a filmmaker, director, actor, and writer. I’ve had the privilege of working with numerous celebrities and have participated in multiple productions. Currently, I am developing our next major project and remain deeply appreciative of how far I’ve come.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey has been far from easy. Growing up in poverty—in a struggling household and an under-resourced city—I had little idea of what lay beyond those circumstances. Everything I’ve learned outside my hometown, I had to teach myself. However, I’m especially grateful to my brother, who played a pivotal role in showing me how to be self-reliant and responsible.
I attended a public school, where access to advanced educational resources was limited, and financial support for my aspirations was virtually nonexistent. Without prior experience, I constantly had to prove that I was capable and dependable. Coming from a Latino background and a low-income family added its own set of challenges to the equation.
Joining the Army was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve made, but I never gave up. I stayed committed, pushed forward, and continued to trust myself and the process. Relocating to Los Angeles was like entering an entirely different world. The culture was new and unfamiliar—one where material possessions seemed to carry more weight than personal character. I didn’t have much, and I knew no one, which was intimidating. Fortunately, my outgoing nature helped me make connections. I was networking before I even understood what networking meant.
Breaking into the film industry without prior work to showcase was incredibly frustrating. Opportunities were scarce, and few people were willing to take a chance on me. It wasn’t until I realized that I needed to be more proactive that things began to change. I started putting myself out there—volunteering, helping others, and doing whatever I could to build relationships. Slowly but surely, I noticed a shift. People began responding to me, reaching out, and inviting me to collaborate. That’s when I knew I was finally on the right path.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a director, actor, and writer with a deep passion for storytelling, particularly through film that evokes a classic, old-school aesthetic. My creative mission is to revive the charm and humor of traditional comedy while exploring a wide range of genres. Acting is one of my greatest loves—I enjoy taking on diverse roles, though I have a particular affinity for portraying the villain. Throughout my life, I’ve often been told I have a naturally intense or serious look, and I’ve come to embrace that, using it to enhance my performances.
As a writer, I am drawn to authentic, emotionally grounded stories—narratives that feel raw and real, yet almost unbelievable in how they unfold. I take pride in crafting scripts that provoke deep emotional reactions and often conclude with unexpected, impactful twists. Recently, I’ve been developing a unique creative concept: to produce a series of films that are entirely independent from one another, yet subtly connected through a single, seemingly random scene that links them all together. It’s a fresh idea I haven’t seen explored before, and I’m excited to bring it to life.
What matters most to you? Why?
My family is the driving force behind everything I’ve worked toward over the past ten years. Every step of this journey has been fueled by the desire to one day give back to the loved ones I left behind in pursuit of my dreams. I love and miss them deeply, and I strive every single day to build a future that allows them to experience a life far beyond what they’ve known.
To my mother and father, my two brothers, my nieces and nephews, my aunt—and one day, my future wife and children—I want to give them all the opportunities, comfort, and joy that I never had growing up. My greatest hope is to create a life for them filled with possibilities, love, and the kind of security that makes dreams feel within reach.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Rods_world23
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Claire Wunschel
Jae Rivera
Marv Brown
Melissa Barajas
Trinaty Michell
