Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon “Rocky” Roggio.
Sharon “Rocky”, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to work in film and television. I grew up in South Jersey, a preacher’s daughter, with no industry connections outside of my local community. After high school, I left home and moved to Philadelphia where I began to search for a way into the entertainment industry. It was both frightening and exhilarating. I joined a local theatre production company called UNCUT Productions and in 2003, started an independent film company called SWEETBREADSTUDIOS with my still-current business partner, writer/producer JENA SERBU. We produced experimental short films, music videos, a couple of local commercials, and two feature films, while I was attending film school at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. At Rowan I was awarded an internship with a Philadelphia reality TV production company called Banyan Productions. I performed basic production assistant and eventually, associate producer roles within the company and was soon offered a full-time staff position.
After graduation, I moved on from Philadelphia to Detroit where I worked as a line-producer for Radish Creative group until 2008. It was at this time that Michigan implemented the largest film tax incentive in world history, creating an influx of local industry and giving me the opportunity to work on a lifetime TV movie called PRAYERS FOR BOBBY, starring Sigourney Weaver. While working on Prayers, I joined my first union, local 161 New York. This was the start of my professional film career which eventually garnered two additional local union memberships as I worked and lived in various regions of the United States (local 38 Detroit and Local 487 in Washington D.C.). My professional TV and film credits include: HOUSE OF CARDS, RED DAWN, and PARKS AND RECREATION. After six years as a union crew member on major motion pictures and TV, I left my position at HOUSE OF CARDS in Baltimore to move to Los Angeles and continue to hone my producer skills.
Within a year I had a manager and was shopping several intellectual properties. At the same time, I utilized my art department skills to support myself. One of the projects I Designed was GOOK, an independent film which won the audience award at Sundance 2017. Now, after 20 years of experience, I am directing my first documentary feature film, 1946: THE MISTRANSLATION THAT SHIFTED CULTURE. 1946 is a revolutionary new film that chronicles how the misuse of a single word changed the course of modern history. Daniel Karslake is the executive producer (FOR THE BIBLE TELL ME SO) and Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter Mary Lambert (“Same Love”) is performing the music composition. www.1946themovie.com
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honestly, nothing is easy in the film industry. You have to work hard, display the right attitude, and possess a willful desire to succeed. My work is primarily freelance so there are months of unemployment and uncertainty. Side hustles are a must while you are reaching for your ultimate goal. It takes a certain mindset to remain steadfast to the end. For me, it’s been smooth in the sense that my determination superseded all of the obstacles and trials. I have worked with some incredible talent from all over the world, along with creating on a variety of platforms. It has taken me 20 years to accumulate the funding to start my directorial debut and looking back, the bumps in the road only make this moment more rewarding.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Although I have performed a variety of roles in the film and entertainment industry, my main drive and focus is producing. I love taking a project from conception to completion and participating in all aspects of the filmmaking process. When I’m not producing, I find employment as a department head running the art department. Mostly, I am known for being a property master and a production designer. As an art department lead, I get to use a different part of my managerial skills mixed with my artistic drive. I never considered myself an “artist” but I have tremendous intuition, leadership skills, and the capacity to hire well for the project. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses and being honest in your ability only suits the overall production, as is always my aim. But now I am proud to say that I have worked in most departments as a crew member so when I am making decisions as a producer, I have a full understanding of everyone’s involvement from my own personal experience. This affords me the opportunity to make informed decisions that are not only good for the overall picture but for the crew members, actors, and everyone involved. This is a key aspect that sets me apart from other producers.
As I hit a turning point in my career and am now directing my first feature documentary film, I am most proud of the team I acquired. In addition to creating with Daniel Karslake (director/producer) and Mary Lambert (Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter), our Co-Executive producer is Jason Ikeler (Executive Director of video HEARST Magazines), our Creative Director is Dr. Jun young (CEO of Zum Communications) and our producer/co-director is Jena Serbu (Writer/Director). As a result of my vision for the project and the assembly of a stellar executive team, I was accepted into the WOMEN MAKE MOVIES Production Assistance Program and the organization is our film’s fiscal sponsor. The Women Make Movies Production Assistance Program was established in 1988 to develop and support women producing independent media. The Program fulfills this mission by offering support services including fiscal sponsorship, individualized consultations, workshops, networking and more. I am overjoyed to see where this final year, now in post-production, leads the project.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I attribute my success to sheer will power, determination and following these simple rules: 1. Do not take anything personally! You will hear “No” more than “Yes”; you must remember that the industry is very competitive. There may be a ton of reasons why you did not get the job or role over someone else that has nothing to do with your ability. Keep working hard and putting yourself out there. 2. Be nice to everyone!!! A Production Assistant on a shoot with you one day could be the hiring producer on a show the next. Always treat everyone with respect and dignity. 3. Be a “Yes” person. A positive attitude will get you farther in the business than a skill set. If the job is between two people with the same skill, the hiring team will want to hire the person who can best get along with the crew and production.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.1946themovie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1946themovie/ and https://www.instagram.com/rockyroggio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1946themovie/ https://www.facebook.com/sharon.roggio/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/1946themovie
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/1946TheMovie/featured
- GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/1946themovie
- Other: https://www.wmm.com/sponsored-project/1946-the-mistranslation-that-shifted-culture/
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