My Directorial Work...

This is really just to have it all in one place... So, here it is:

Smart Phriend or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Phone from Rocco Rosanio on Vimeo.

Enjoy ;)

Love,

-R*

Tilt-Shifty

To boldly go where no one has gone before...

I just saw the new Stark Trek (J.J. did his thing), and it rocked the casbah. I was super entertained, I'm sad I missed the IMAX. Ce la vie. It's new comic-book day (normally it's Wednesday, but Memorial day threw it off, and I find myself giddy with anticipation for the new Deadpool (which, since the new X-Men movie have been selling like hotcakes), but also pensive. I've been here now for about 1 & 1/2 years, and I felt it was time to check in with myself.

I've finished my script, and now, I have to get it made. Honestly, writing the script is most of the work. If your movie is good, you have a easier time getting it made, it's not rocket science. Not always, but most times (btw, any rich people interested in making a dark, beautiful, gritty drug-laced love story, or any movies for that matter, shoot me an email). I feel I've been productive, I've directed, edited, and produced two music videos (Nathan Nice: Perfect Somedays, and ceslrock: Buggo), plus the one short I wrote (BLU_SCRN). I've been trying to live up to my own expectations, and since the only acting work I've had access to has been commercially, I have quite a ways to go. I just got some new head shots (by Kendra Smith, excellent work) and cut a new theatrical demo reel together, so, I'm trying to get aggressive with sending my stuff out to managers and the like. Although, I know the only sure bet I have is my own script. My advice to people in this industry is: Sure, we all hope to be instantly discovered, but you can't sit around and wait for it to happen, you have to try to make it happen. In this case, I'm taking my own advice, and trying to bring to life my 98 page ticket. Take some responsibility for my career. At least I have to convince myself that I have some control, otherwise, you might as well play the lottery. I mean, if you resolve to make a professional living from acting, or writing, or any art, even if you are gambling, you should find a way to stack the deck ;)

ps - see Star Trek. And, if any casting peeps find this, please, cast me in the sequel. And, the Deadpool movie. ;P

'til next time kiddies.

love,

-R*

... on paying it forward.

I'm not sure if it's going to get as deep as the title may imply, but I feel it necessary to prepare anyone reading this for where ever my mind may wander. I do have a point to starting this, but I'm feeling a serious bout of digression coming on. On that note...

I just wrapped on an XBOX commercial (the details of which I can't say due to confidentiality, corny, but real), and it was quite amazing, to say the least. Not only was I very grateful for the opportunity to work in these crazy ass times, but the crew was amazing. In fact, so were the clients and the agency (which, trust me, is not always the case). I'm excited because apparently this is playing all over the world. This is a first for me. The funny part, the events preceding and following the actual shoot were like life was torturing me. My car broke down, my face broke out, my internet and cable went down, I was one broken shoelace from insanity. But I kept reminding myself of the fact I was shooting an international commercial, and that this was all just life testing me to see if I could practice what I preach. Now, this wasn't just an opportunity for me to brag, but I did want to say that I owe it all to my new-found positivity. I was in the middle of a torrential shit-storm a few months ago. And, at one point I said to myself, I'm not going to give up, and let this superfluous b.s. get to me. I realized that as hard as I've worked, and as good as I do my thing, NOTHING is promised, and I am not entitled to anything I haven't manifested on my own. This is also coming off of the heels of me finishing a script, starring in two short films, and directing a music video (all of which I produced or made moves to be involved with on my own tenacity). I'm not saying gifts from the universe aren't welcome and amazing, but that if you expect to write your ticket on that, you're in for constant disappointment. None of this good stuff started to happen until I took full responsibility for my situation and took steps to change it. If you can be truly happy and motivated in the face of adversity, you will succeed. When the chips are down, will you let things throw you off balance, or will you maintain clarity and maneuver like a champion. For me, I feel like my time in LA was to help me cultivate this. New York is one of the hardest places to live in the world, but I feel much more in my element, so it kind of evens it out. Here, it's a different kind of difficult, it's like working out using muscles you didn't even know you had. I feel like figuring this out was a gift, which is what prompted me to share this with the world. Enjoy, and remember: Breathe, and have fun...

Love,

-R*