Meet Vincent Rosas | Filmmaker

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

Hi Vincent, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in Lorain and Parma, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland. Growing up as a child of divorce, my mother was the driving force in our lives. Raising three kids while working tirelessly to provide for us was no easy task, but despite the challenges, my mother was (and still is) always there for us and instilled in me the drive and resilience to pursue my dreams. She taught me to be resourceful and relentless in going after what I wanted. From my father, I learned the power of humor and connection, as well as the understanding that friends can be just as close as family. That lesson shaped the way I approach my career. My journey in filmmaking hasn’t just been about talent or hard work, it’s been about the relationships I’ve built and the trust I’ve earned along the way. The friendships and connections I’ve cultivated have helped me get to where I am today, and they’re what will continue to push me forward as I grow in this industry.

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.
What sets me apart as a filmmaker is my passion for creating escapism. The world is heavy, and storytelling gives us a chance to step outside of reality, even just for an hour or two. My goal is to craft films that transport audiences to another world, another adventure, or another life, just as my inspirations Gareth Edwards, Steven Spielberg, and Denis Villeneuve have done. They (along with their teams) build fully realized worlds that immerse audiences completely, whether grounded in reality or full of spectacle. That sense of escape and wonder is what fuels me as a director.

I started my journey in computer animation at Full Sail University (’07-’09), which led to my first job as a 3D artist at a military simulation company in Daytona Beach, Florida. But after a company-wide layoff, I took a leap and packed up my car, selling everything that didn’t fit, and drove across the country to LA for a job as a Motion Capture Data tracker at a company called House of Moves, thanks to one of my best friends and college roommate who believed in me. A classic story, sure, but one that completely reshaped my career.

Getting to where I am today hasn’t been easy. The industry is a tough place, especially breaking into VFX or filmmaking. I’ve had moments where I was down to my last $100, reaching out to everyone I knew for work. But the hard times make the wins that much sweeter. When you finally get that call, land that gig, or see your vision come to life on screen, it feels worth it.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Relationships are everything. The people you meet and the trust you build will take you further than anything else. And what I want the world to know is this: I’m here to create something for you, something lasting, something gripping, something you can hold onto, even for just the standard length of a film. I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel, but maybe.. we can find a new way to mount it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A week-long friend trip in LA? Sounds exhausting, but absolutely worth it! Haha. As a Valley boy, I’d want to showcase the best of the best. We’d kick things off with some of my favorite spots! Malama Pono or Bacari in Sherman Oaks, AYCE GOGI in Van nuys, Ernie’s and Little Toni’s in NoHo and then Guildhall or The Smoke House in Burbank for that old-school charm.

No LA trip is complete without a good hike. The Old LA Zoo trail or Fryman Canyon are great warm-ups, but for the more adventurous, we’d hit the Mt. Hollywood trail or take a scenic walk around the Hollywood Reservoir for those perfect Hollywood Sign shots.

Evenings would be all about the vibes. Fancy cocktails at The Velvet Martini Lounge, live music at The Baked Potato, or a rowdy night of karaoke at The Oaks Tavern in Sherman Oaks.

And if my friend is a fellow cinephile, we’d wrap it all up at Pam’s Coffy before catching a 35mm screening at the legendary Vista Theater.

Perfect mix of food, adventure, and film. Who’s in?

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?
I’d like to give a huge shoutout to my family, whose unwavering support has been the foundation of everything I’ve built. Their encouragement has kept me grounded and driven, even through the toughest times.

I also owe so much to my friends – the ones who let me crash on their couch for months, held a light or boom mic on one of my no-budget shorts, gave me a ride to the aiport when i needed it, or simply listened to me over a drink while I vented about life and career ambitions. Their generosity and belief in me have meant everything.

A special nod to filmmakers like Kevin Smith, Richard Linklater, and Robert Rodriguez, whose stories and insights on independent filmmaking have shaped my own path. Movies like Linklater’s Before Trilogy, Smith’s Clerks films, and Rodriguez’s book ‘Rebel Without a Crew’ taught me that making films on my own terms was possible.

Lastly, I want to recognize one of my best friends and creative partner, Dwight Carter. He’s been the one person who truly went all-in with me, helping to jump-start Tall Raven Films and bring our shared vision to life.

Website: https://thevincentrosas.com

Instagram: @vincerosas818

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentrosas/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TallRavenFilms

Image Credits
Alejandra Diaz/Daniella Mora-Balbo and Oscar Velasquez