Meet Jae Rivera of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jae Rivera.

Hi Jae, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My love for film started early. I was just a kid, but I remember being completely drawn in by the work of Will Smith, Jackie Chan, Denzel Washington, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Legends in my book. They didn’t just entertain, they showed me something bigger. Their characters lived by a code, and that stuck with me. It molded me to my core.

Around the same time, I met a friend who wanted to be a director. We were only nine or ten, but we spent hours filming little movies at his house with his parents’ camcorder. His family had money, so he had all the tools. I didn’t even know this kind of world existed, where creativity could feel that real. He loved the old James Bond flicks, Goldfinger, The Man with the Golden Gun, and he had this confidence about him that inspired me. More than that, I saw the way his parents looked at him, with pride and love. That was new to me.

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?
I didn’t grow up in a place where dreams were encouraged. I was taught to be quiet, to stay in line. But those early moments sparked something. That friend showed me and another how to write a story, and the three of us started making our own 007-style short films. From then on, I couldn’t stop. I kept writing. Over time, I didn’t just want to tell stories, I wanted to see them come to life.

To me, filmmaking is powerful. It can educate, it can heal, and it can light a fire in people. Doesn’t matter the genre, even the wildest stories carry something real inside them. Since I was a kid, I’ve been driven to tell stories that mean something.

I chose to become a Producer because I wanted to be at the table, shaping narratives and making sure voices like mine are heard. But it wasn’t a smooth path. Early on, I was told that kids like me, Black boys from small towns, don’t end up in Hollywood. I was told my options were limited: join the military, end up in jail, or die young. People laughed at my dreams. “You think you’re Denzel Washington? More like Derek Washing(son),” they’d say.

Reality hit hard. I was chased by white men with a rope. Called every name you can think of. Treated like I didn’t belong.

Still, I kept going.

As a U.S. Army veteran who served honorably, I’ve seen the world through a lens most people ignore, the sound of car doors locking as I walk by, or being held at gunpoint by police officers on my way to a job interview, simply because I “fit a description.” Since childhood, I was taught to carry myself with pride in a world that would judge me by my skin before my spirit, but also taught to keep my head high, because I come from greatness.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Producer /Director / Writer /Actor

I stand here, having graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Film Producing and Production, ready to tell stories that shift the culture, change perspectives. I’m not here just to make films. I’m here to make a statement, to give people something real, and remind people of their worth, no matter where they come from. Their stories are worthy too.

Amongst the stories I have cultivated, I’m most proud of A Delt Hand and another called Bliss. They’re memoirs I wrote for my son, based on true events. At one point, I got seriously ill, like, seriously ill and the fear of leaving this world without my son truly knowing me or how to navigate life, especially as a Black man, began to weigh heavily on me. That fear drove me to write. These story is dedicated to him but not just for him, it’s for every young person growing up without a father figure, feeling lost, or unsure of what it means to be a man in this world.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I believe luck often walks hand in hand with blessings, so that’s the word I’ll use.

After leaving the military, like so many veterans, I found myself homeless, living out of my car. I kept it quiet. I’ve always been private… maybe even a little too prideful.

But the first real blessing came through Joe Rodriguez, a fellow veteran, best friend, and key member of my team. He saw through the surface and connected with me on a deeper level, veteran to veteran. Joe introduced me to Jeff Reyes, another veteran who’s always looking out for others. Jeff truly looked out for me, and it was through him that I landed a spot working on the TV show SWAT on Netflix.

That experience changed everything. Seeing how the SWAT family operates, with Shemar Moore leading the way and James Scura holding down the production with his incredible cast and crew, was a game changer. I learned so much. Director Michael Olmos and Zach Kibbee continued to believe in me, blessing me with callbacks and opportunities that helped me get back on my feet.

What’s wild to me is just how many veterans are out here working in film and TV. It’s something I honestly never expected. You go from one world, structured, disciplined, survival mode, and somehow find yourself in another, just as chaotic but full of opportunity.

Blessings really do come in all forms. When you’re going through it, it’s hard to see the purpose behind the pain. But sometimes, the lowest points are just detours meant to lead you where you were always supposed to go. You just gotta hold on, trust your gut, and go after what you know is yours.

For me, the turning point wasn’t just hoping and waiting, it was the people around me. Marvelous and Joe Brown? Man, those two feel like fairy godparents, no lie. They make things happen like no other. Joe Rodriguez, Gino Morales, brothers by bond, not by blood, though you’d never know the difference. Real ones. Adding talent from directing to writing they bring undeniable talent and vision. They don’t follow the rules they rewrite them. Then there are the sistas, Tish Jordan and Trinaty Mitchell, powerhouses of both brains and brawn. Tish, a sharp and visionary producer, and Trinaty, a commanding and skilled assistant director, are a force in the film and entertainment world. Each masters her unique lane with precision, passion, and purpose. Then there’s Country Parker. Another great one that came into my life and became a mentor when I needed direction the most. Producing isn’t easy, but with someone like that in your corner, the path gets clearer. The last three gentlemen names I mentioned? They’re all veterans, just like me. And that’s exactly why, as I continue building my company, I’m keeping folks like us in mind. For any veteran out there who still believes in their dream, whether it’s film, TV, or anything in entertainment, Rimu is here to help. This isn’t just business for me, it’s personal. We’ve walked through fire. Now it’s time to build something that lasts.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsimix?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm15942877/