Meet Joe Raffa | Writer / Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joe Raffa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe, what’s your definition for success?
I believe that if you define success as a product of your relentless hard work and sacrifice, then you’re setting yourself up for failure. I define success as putting yourself in a position to pursue your passions. That’s it. It’s the process, not the results. The journey, not the destination. If you carved out time to work towards your goals on any given day, that day is a success and it’s all we can ask for. The results are not guaranteed. The destination may change. That’s why you really have to love what you’re doing. Embrace the obstacles along the way. Roll up your sleeves and relish the challenges. And appreciate the fact you built a life for yourself that allows you to follow your dreams, wherever that may take you.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a writer/director, I’m most proud of the feature film “Downeast” which is currently available on Showtime and Paramount + (among other streaming platforms.) The process of making that film, surrounded by people that I love, was the dream realized. And while I’ll never be satisfied with my work, I’m really proud of that film. It’s a representation of who I am as an artist. And I want to emulate the experience of making “Downeast” over and over again in my career.

When directing that film, I felt I really put people in a position to take ownership of their work, and in turn, they elevated what I had written. I think film is the ultimate collaborative artform. I want my cast and crew to feel like we’re kids playing in a sandbox. I want to hear all the ideas, concerns, polite suggestions, improvised lines. As a director, I’d be lucky to direct a film every three to five years. The crew members that surround me probably do three to five features a year. So I want to listen to them. Trust them. Empower them. And at the end of the day, we’re not performing open-heart surgery or saving the manatees. We’re playing make-believe. The stakes are low. It needs to be fun.

But the road to “Downeast” was a long one. It really started when I dropped out of college and decided to use the money I had saved to make my first film, “You’ll Know My Name” at nineteen. I’ve spent years cutting my teeth after that film. “Failing upwards” is the way I describe it. Luckily, I met people along the way that not only helped me, but believed in me more than I believed in myself. One of my greatest friends, Angel Anthony Marerro, invested money into my first web series, SPADES, which jumpstarted me creatively. We hired a cinematographer, Edwin Pendleton Stevens, who ended up starting his own production company, APS Films, and was brave (or silly) enough to bring me along as a writer/director. We ended up working on multiple features together, including “Downeast.” Through APS Films I met Cory Pyke, who championed me and helped me secure representation as a writer. And I’ve always had David J. Bonner in my corner, someone who’s always challenged my work in the most constructive ways possible. These are the people in the film industry that have become great friends. That I’ve leaned on over the last ten years to become the artist I am today.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
While LA is filled with amazing places, I will stick to what I’m an expert on: food in the valley!

When it comes to breakfast, we’re going to EAT in Noho at least three times. We’ll swing by & Waffles too, and definitely check out Horror Vibes Coffee on Lankershim.

I’m addicted to Sushi, so I’ll be taking my guests to my favorite spot on Ventura, Sushi House, for their amazing lunch special. But you can’t just have sushi once in a week, right? We’d swing by Maki Noho on Lankershim for their signature handrolls and delicious poke bowls.

The best pizza in LA is at Little Toni’s where Vineland and Lankershim intersect. They’ve been there since 1956 and also offer amazing pasta and seafood entrees. Not to mention an amazing cocktail bar.

Speaking of cocktails, my absolute favorite neighborhood bar is Fatdog on Magnolia. They have an amazing menu, delicious drinks, and my favorite Happy Hour.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When I was twenty-one-years-old I became a father. My son, Joseph James, changed my life completely. More than anything, he motivated me to be a better person. But he also made me a better artist. I investigated everything with more empathy. The time I was able to allocate to my writing became more precious, in turn, more productive. I pushed myself harder because I wanted to provide for him. And I held myself to a higher standard because I wanted to set an example for him. Impose your will. Build the life you want to live. It wasn’t always easy. And luckily, he has an amazing mother who has supported us through the valleys of my career and celebrated me at its peaks.

But as my son grew older, the biggest lesson became clear. What’s really important? It’s not the amount of money we make. It’s not the houses we buy or the cars we drive or the restaurants we dine at. It’s the time we spend with the people we love and the experiences we share with them. I know this seems obvious and clichè, but it doesn’t really sink in until you watch your child grow before your eyes and you realize just how fleeting life is. The materialistic desires you have begin to fade. The life you previously envisioned suddenly seems shallow now. You really learn to cherish the little things. So I must dedicate this shoutout to my son. He’s helped me become the best version of myself.

And now, at eleven-years-old, I can hear him typing away on his computer. Working on his screenplays. I’m both proud and fearful that he caught the writing bug.

Website: https://www.joeraffadirector.com

Instagram: JoeRaffa

Twitter: @JoeRaffa1313

Image Credits
Nickolas Wolf, Michelle Kwong