Meet Rod Rinks | Filmmaker & Makeup Artist

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

Hi Rod, what principle do you value most?
Honesty and integrity are the two things that matter the most in any and all businesses I firmly believe. From an artistic standpoint you must be completely honest and open in what you’re doing or the audience will see it’s and feel it and it won’t work. In business having them both you can never go wrong. Might be tough depending on the company, but at the end of the day you’ll always lay your head down knowing who you are and what you stand for. I find in any and all business it’s people skills that take you the furthest. People want to work with people they like and who are good and decent people at the end of the day… and being a hard worker really helps.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’d have to say my most accomplished artist endeavors at this point would have to be a small independent film I just completely titled Made In Mexico staring Lillo Brancato.(A Bronx Tale) and produced my Mario Lopez. I wrote, lead, co-directed and produced the film as well as wore many other hats during production. The entire film was shot for 20k and in just 6 days. We had multiple distribution offer but finally settled on a home 1091 Distribution. May 1 is the projected date of release of on various platforms across the world.
Made In Mexico was not only my directorial debut but film school as well. I have done a number of short films and a successful web series but nothing compared to the crunch time and problem solving with other creatives as making a feature length film. This is where honesty and integrity falls into place. People will want to work with you if they like you and trust you, regardless of how much you can offer them. Although the budget for Made In Mexico was just 20k the amount of talent and work of the people who helped make this film come to life is far more than what the film was made for.
With the success of Made In Mexico I was able to get a manager and I’m now in talks with various studios and production houses on another film I wrote based off a short film I made a few years back. The film business is by far the hardest business to crack.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being a father of three my days of trendy restaurants and crowded bars are long behind me. Although I work in Hollywood I live in Westlake Village Ca. so I’m a little out of the scene. I’d have to say my favorite spot is a place in Westlake Village called Stonehaus. It’s a Tuscany inspired indoor/outdoor casual restaurant/pizzeria and wine bar. It’s great for families and they make their own wine. I’m a huge bocce fan and they have a beautiful bocce court which is good for the entire family to play. Since it’s outdoors cigars are allowed and a nice cigar with a glass of red at sunset rolling bocce you can’t go wrong. (Hint. My next film is a rom-com with bocce as the backdrop)

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Family I would say is the number one supporter in any business venture. Starting something from scratch is tough, both mentally, emotionally and physically in some instances. You need a strong support system to help you through those rough days when you question everything you’re doing. My wife Tiffanie Rinks has always been there for me regardless if what she was telling me I wanted or needed to hear. She has my best interest at heart and completely believes in me. My three children Niko, Ella and Leo have changed my perspective on a lot of things and are truly the driving force behind everything I set out to accomplish.

Website: https://www.madeinmexicofilm.com/

Instagram: RodneyRinks

Image Credits
Image credits by Gianna Rengigas and Rod Rinks