We were lucky to catch up with Juancho Rodriguez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Juancho, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you’ve thought about whether to sign with an agent or manager?

I’m one of the lucky few creatives who has a manager looking out for their best interests, and by extension, a team whose synchronicity with my goals in the industry has made all the difference in this new stage of my career.

About two years ago, I received a direct communication from a person who wanted to represent me: that person was Linda Colonna at MC Talent Consultants. After meeting with her a couple of times and discussing where I wanted to take my career, I discovered that not only did she understand me as a performer, but also as a business person in the entertainment industry.

I can’t fully speak to why she decided to start working with me, but I can say confidently that our relationship has evolved from a business partnership to a true friendship. The reality is, I run everything by her.

Linda is truly one of the greats. Her dedication, professionalism, keen eye and, most importantly, humanity are just a few of the qualities that make me truly happy to have her on my team. She’s not only my Manager, she’s also my Partner and dear Collaborator. I could not be in better hands.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m an actor, film producer, writer, director and theatre-maker currently residing in New York City, dividing my time between New York City and Miami, FL.

I produce projects for film, television, and new media through my production company, Dawn Kino Entertainment, which was founded in Miami.

I am also heavily involved in theatre, both as an actor and as a director/producer. In fact, I’m in the process of developing a multimedia live production with my colleague and friend, John Leguizamo.

Last fall, I led the off-Broadway play “Latin Lover” at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in New York. It was a heart-wrenching play about addiction, identity and true love, written by the talented Ed Jr. Cardenas, directed by Randy Arbujo, and produced by Una Bharat.

I’ve continued my collaboration with emerging music artist ‘tomorrows waterfall,’ and I’ve become his filmmaker-in-residence, so to speak. In fact, we have a couple of upcoming projects that are poised to make audiences go wild. I’ve been a huge champion and fan of his music since the very beginning.

Through Dawn Kino Entertainment, I work with creatives across the globe, offering premium services in script and development consulting, scheduling, budgeting, packaging, production, post-production, and distribution. The company is still accepting bids from new creatives and independent artists.

Earlier this year, Dawn Kino Entertainment was privileged to collaborate with The Walt Disney Company on the television series “Dear Killer Nannies,” led by John Leguizamo. And I also had the chance to perform voice dubbing of various characters on the show in its English language version, working with NYAV Post, and directed by the legendary Victoria Grace.

Most recently, I’ve been involved as a Producer and Co-Director on an upcoming film called, “Just Die,” along with my newest collaborator, Zack Shaw. We shot the film at The NuBox at John DeSotelle Studio in New York City, and on location in Brooklyn.

Tackling mental health and the Gen Z anxiety epidemic,”Just Die” centers on a near-future world where younger generations face a bleak quality of life, following a young woman who must intervene when a group of Gen Z’ers forms a pact to end their lives together as a way to escape their reality. The film stars Samantha Garvey, Dakota Scarborough, and Victoria Perez, who also acts as Executive Producer.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I champion stories. I will never get tired of saying this. In a world where it seems everybody has an agenda, whether social or political, I just want to be able to tell a darn good story. I don’t care where or who it comes from, my goal is to ensure stories continue having a place in the cultural landscape.

Dawn Kino Entertainment is all about thought-provoking storytelling. In fact, that’s why I have led the company to be just that: a place where stories can be nurtured and given the love and care they deserve.

Whether it’s a short film, a feature, a podcast, or a theatre production, I want to develop projects that truly embrace the transformative power of storytelling. We’re not about trends, and we’re not about agendas; if the story is worth telling, we will champion it with all our might.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Here’s a hot take: I don’t believe it is society’s responsibility to support artists. In fact, it’s the complete opposite: artists should support society. How? By being bold, curious, irreverent, and unapologetic.

As artists continue taking ownership of the stories they want to put out into the world, society will support them when they see themselves, and their experiences, reflected on screen, on stage, wherever.

Now, if we’re talking about funding, then that’s a different question. Money is always a hindrance to every single project, regardless of who’s behind it; therefore, access to funds for every kind of artist, and every kind of creative endeavor, should be more democratized. Artists need pathways to get their hands on whatever resources that may be out there.

My only warning is: don’t let the person or entity that’s offering you funds dictate what you want to say with your art. Because, at that point, your art won’t be art anymore – it will be a mouthpiece.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dawn-kino-entertainment/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juanchorodgz/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juansrodriguez3991/

Image Credits

Adam Rose, Angela Manfredonia, Jason Vasquez, Ryan Prado