Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rodney Damon Collins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Rodney Damon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?
I’ll never forget when, where, who, what and how this happened for me. It was 2017, I was still fairly new to the Los Angeles Creative Community and I was looking to meet other people. I was a member of facebook for creatives and an executive producer for the film Emerson Heights, Wendi Foy Green had posted on the site that they were filming a scene on an upcoming Sunday. They were looking one person to have one person come play a background, credit only role. My mindset has always been that when you help people get what they are working towards that it leads to you receiving what you desire. I immediately sent my information to Wendi. A day later, I received a response that they would love to have me join them on set that day. So I received the call time for me.
On that day I arrived early which is on time. Location was at Castaway Restaurant in Burbank. One of the PA’s (Production Assistant) came up to me and introduced himself. He asked me how long had I been waiting.. I told him my call time was 4:00 p..m. but I arrived at 3:30 p.m. He thanked me for be early and took me to set. I was there to play a waiter. We began rolling cameras and by the fifth take, the A.D (Assistant Director). yelled cut. The Director, the EP (Executive Producer) and the A.D. huddled together for a couple mins. I thought to myself, I’ll just take a break. As a went to sit down, the A.D. approached me and asked if I was an actor. My response, “Am I an actor, but of course I am.” They responded great because we feel like the scene would be more realistic if you were to have some dialogue with the Lead Actor. I told them I think I can handle that. Shortly after that, I was signing a contract for the film, I was credited and paid for my first official acting credit in Los Angeles.
I taught me the principle of showing up, being professional and always having the expectation that good things were coming my way! It gave me a sense that I truly belonged in the industry and it strengthened my resolve. As a result, I lean on moments like this including my faith in God knowing that I have a place in this industry. I also continue to go back to Castaway Burbank at least once a year to eat and remember what’s possible!!!
Rodney Damon, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’ve learned in my journey to truly trust God and trust the journey that I’m on. When I was fresh out of college, I started working for a major fortune 500 company. Had a good paying career with a lot of potential, but there was one problem. I knew that I didn’t fit. Furthermore, I had a talent agent in Cleveland who was booking me on jobs. There were times that I would even go do a shoot while I was at work. I tried to find various ways that I could plug in to my current career, but in those years it was a major struggle professionally.
I had started to develop my creative gifts when I was in high school when I directed my first comedy sketch. In college, I got back into my creative bag by participating in fashion and talent shows. Fast forward a few more years and I was married with two kids and a great career in the making. I decided to lock in on my current situation and focus on career goals. I made the decision to walk away from my efforts to work in entertainment and I believed that if God had that path for me to walk then the door would open again at another point in my life.
After years, nearly twenty years of working in non profit and community work for my church and a national non-profit, a door opened! I began working in the arts. I booked a film on my own that shot in Columbus, OH. I drove back and forth on weekends to film for several weeks, I did it for free and to hone my craft. I wasn’t focused on building a brand at the time, I was just excited to be using my gifts again.
Let’s jump ahead to my move to LA with my family.. I am glad to celebrate the fact that on January 24th, 2026, I will be in LA for (10) years. From what I’ve been told, that makes me and my family, “Angelenos!” I started understanding that as an actor/creator, I am a brand after I got more connected in the creative community here in Los Angeles. As an actor, I am an entrepreneur. The mindset of an actor to be successful in show business is that I am a brand/business.
The more that I focus on being a brand, the more confident I have become as an actor. I am that I belong in the industry. I understand that as an actor, I solve a problem that casting, film producers and television networks are looking to address.
I am most proud of professionally in my career that in 10 years, I’ve added over (105) film and tv credits. Of those, (50) are as a principle actor. I’ve won (6) awards in film festivals, twice as a best actor in a film. I’m proud of the growth of my family and how we have made an adjustment that many people have not succeeded at. I’m grateful that I’ve grown in my faith walk and fully trust God to guide me through this journey we call life.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Yes, I want to create a legacy for my son and daughter and my future generations that provides in a tangible way of leaving businesses and financial impact that will change the trajectory of my family. I want to provide a legacy of faith for my family and anyone else who is following this journey to know that God does care about our dreams when we prioritize our relationship with God. Mission is to build a platform that creates opportunities for future creatives. I believe there is enough pie for everyone!!!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
During the WGA and SAG strikes a few years ago, I was very discouraged. After coming thru the Covid pandemic then have another roadblock in the industry, I seriously considered giving up. Then I saw my son, Josiah Collins who is also my writing partner and we run a production company together, writing a mystery at a college. The story was entitled “Wilson Hall.” We decided to finish the story and turn it into a podcast crime mystery. We were able to stay productive and also provided a platform for other creatives to use their gifts during the strikes. It reinforced the mindset that a roadblock doesn’t mean quit, it means to find another route.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/rodneydamoncollins?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=e3cd1abe-08ec-4e1c-b17d-fca421294d65
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therenaissanceofrodneydamon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559685870116
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodney-damon-collins-56439335/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RodneyDamonCollinsRenaissance
- Other: IMDB:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7928242/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Book link: Shattered A Journey Through the Pieces: https://amzn.to/3VFaYMEPodcast: The Produce Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-produce-podcast/id1503920467
TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@rodneydamoncollins?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
Photo Credits:
Virgil Apostol
Patanisha Alia Williams