Life & Work with Rion Smith of Tacoma

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rion Smith

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started out as many filmmakers – finding a camera at a young age. But with a lack of available VHS tapes at the house, I ended up using what was available and recording over what had already been filmed…like my parents wedding. I fell hard into filmmaking but specifically the special effects and photography side. Building sets, engineering how to make safe pyro (my parents were thrilled at the small craters I left all over the yard), and photography. As I grew up I knew I wanted to do this as a job, but was afraid of the prospects of being a “starving artist” so I put it on hold for a short time. I had to make some money, or get a job or develop a skill set that would support my film habit, so that is what I embarked on. I was overseas for several years, returning to the US, got a nursing degree and with a stable job with full time hours that included three 12 hour shifts a week, I know had money and time to make movies. So I did. I started a company, Creepy TV, and have used that to make the stories I’ve always wanted to see. Werewolves, zombies, monsters, ghosts…but I used and still continue to use each film as a catalyst to solve a problem or learn something. How do I get someone to fly through the air? How can I make a realistic severed head? How do I get this camera under water and can I use my garage to simulate an underwater environment? I try to never stop learning and film allows me that opportunity.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Creepy TV was firing on all cylinders. We were making a high quality short every month and we had a group of guys together and we were jamming. But COVID came along and everything ground to a halt. I know we weren’t the only ones, but it threw a big wet blanket on the creative process for a year. On top of that, we moved to Tacoma, WA and had to re-establish our network in a new place. With all that being said, the film community can be a great network to starting building up from. New friends, new opportunities and ways to find like minded people.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an ER nurse and have been for 10 years. I am proud of having that skill set and also have being able to use it. Most notably, I went to Ukraine and volunteered there when the war initially broke out. Regardless of what happens (hopefully a Ukrainian victory) I will carry those stories forward with me and have used them in some of my films. Little snippets of them. That includes a recent werewolf movie where I cast a bunch of Ukrainians and the movie was a mix of English and Ukrainian/Russian. I think what sets my films apart is that I am willing to take risks. I’ve shot films in Spanish, German, Japanese, Ukrainian, Russian, Arabic and I cast native actors in those roles to get authenticity. I don’t speak all those languages, so there is a degree of putting your faith in the actors when they are doing their lines. In addition, there are cultural considerations but at the end of the day, it all works out and we make new friends along the way.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Well, I was mostly in the ER for all of this so I have make a different point of view, but I saw people consumed by fear and that fear dilute logic. I saw sorrow and hysteria consume families. I saw lots of people pass. But I also saw compassion and resiliency. I feel as though, in any crisis, if you are able to take a breath you will find that not everything is as bad or as good as it seems. With that breath and that pause, you will be able to see the problem before you with more clarity and be able to tackle it accordingly.

Pricing:

• Not sure what you mean by this.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: @creepy_tv_channel
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/creepytvchannel