We were lucky to catch up with Titeanya Rodríguez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Titeanya, thanks for joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

My brand WOMXNOGRAPHY and all our divisions do everything different. For starters not only are we women of color owned and operated (with many of us also being queer), we ensure that the representation that’s reflected within our organizations also is reflected in the stories and brands we work with. We are huge on art and activism and I identify as an Artivist. Alignment is essential and not all money and opportunities are good ones. We also always approach everything we do with a mindset of what can we learn from this and what do we bring to this. We understand what we are experts at while also knowing we don’t know everything. I also live by being authentic and genuine, that is how I have been able to not only attract the amazing individuals I am working with but the feedback I have consistently received is they could tell from my first communication with them that I was REAL. I cared and wasn’t someone seeking to just get something from them, I also added value.

In 2020, I launched WOMXNOGRAPHY as a collective, which has since turned into a successful and continuing thriving business for myself and anyone connected to us.

One of my first collaborators I reached out to via instagram, she is in the basketball space and we hit it off immediately. She had a HUGE following and I honestly didn’t think she’d even see my DM but not only did she, we also met and ended up creating some of my first projects together. Through us building an organic relationship, but first and foremost was in how I approached her in her DM’s. I actually inquired about one of her services, and through receiving that service ended up becoming friends and realizing how directly connected the Entertainment and Sports industries are. This was huge for me because she and I had a mutual interest in building in the others industries, and so we did and have done to this very day.

Relationships are everything and knowing who you are and embracing that within your communications especially first impressions is an unmatched and often times undervalued thing.

Titeanya, 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?

My name is Titeanya Rodríguez, I am an Independent Writer, Producer, and Director currently based in Los Angeles, CA.

I started in Modeling and Acting at the age of 12, and eventually moved out to Los Angeles, CA, at the age of 18 years old. My first job in Los Angeles was managing a stellar roster of Actors, Writers, Directors and Producers for a well known Talent Manager. Through doing that I have built my network and fast forward to 2020 started my first business unintentionally due to the pandemic.

My unique background from being in front of the camera and behind the scenes has equipped me with the expert real world training and skills within Talent Management, Producing, and Business Management and Development. I also have a experience in Talent Acquisitions and Financing for projects.

Under my company WOMXOGRAPHY we have several subsidiaries, within those we offer Full service production from Idea to Distribution within film, tv, etc. We also have the ability to manage and develop Talent, and are in the midst of launching a sports league, movie theater, and several other exciting things that have been in the works for nearly a decade.

Majority of the problems we solve for our clients is helping them build their teams, find the resources needed to execute their projects, and really empower them overall to live out their purposes and bring their visions to life. We are huge on partnering and collaborating. We value everyone being heard, seen, and safe emotionally, physically, mentally, etc. Transparency and Vulnerability are superpowers that a lot of folks in our spaces don’t embrace or empower folks to have.

I am most proud of the fact that I being a high school dropout from Ohio, overcome homeless and many other growing pains of starting a business, am not only still here in Los Angeles..but thriving!! God gave me the vision of the businesses I have and God continues to not only provide for myself but everyone connected to me. I have truly THE best team of lawyers, publicists, agents, and managers representing, protecting, and supporting me and my businesses. Having a team is huge and it’s important to know and understand what you need, not everyone needs the same things. This is our first year of having employees prior to this year we only ever outsourced via Independent Contractors, so I have been working with my team to ensure we hire properly and continue to thrive in the ways we are.

We also now are at a point where we don’t have to be on survival mode anymore so we say no more than yes to opportunities. I can’t say enough that knowing who you are as a person and business is so important, I know who I am but also fully understand that I am growing and so is my business. Your root and foundation are vital.

That is a huge blessing that I do not take lightly and Thank God daily for, like to be able to focus more on creative is amazing.
We are really all about supporting and building people especially women of color and queer women.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Almost a year ago I was asked to be apart of a project for this huge influencer. I had reached out to hire her for one of my projects but after we met she offered me a job as an Associate Producer on one of hers. I had watched this girl on youtube since I was a baby gay in Ohio, so I was truly excited for the opportunity.

Unfortunately, the experience was awful and very traumatizing for me.

She being the Executive Producer (financing the entire thing) as well as the Writer and Director, led to a lot of discourse…which led to our Line Producer not budgeting things right and money running out. Multiple times made her aware of the budget issues and each time I approached her directly about it…she refused to listen or pivot. She wanted things done her way and as my boss and after multiple times of her not only dangerously cutting corners but also using racial slurs, I had to leave the project.

She didn’t like this but I had to do what was best for myself and business, and if I am being honest it was just sad that this was the reflection of that individual. She also never paid me or several other people due to her money issues (which I can write a book about the issues within indie regarding misuse of funds etc). Ultimately, that experience taught me to vet better.

When I say vet, I mean ask them questions and don’t just go based on resume and also get references!! I say this all the time too, followers do not mean success and there’s a difference between a filmmaker and a YouTuber (no shade) but certain skills require proper training and some folks with egos will not listen to you even if you have the training within that area.

My vetting process for when considering to work with a person or business is as follows:

-Take an intro meeting and go from there (don’t feel like you have to commit right away, take your time).
-Check Social Media and IMDb (make sure you aren’t being catfished and can see if you have any mutuals who can vouch for them).
-Ask for references (this includes, phone numbers, emails, project worked on and when, etc).
-Get everything in writing and get it signed (I also encourage everyone to have a lawyer that specializes in your field I have multiple but my primary is an expert in Entertainment Law).
-Background Check (standard for most jobs and people under value this, be mindful of what shows but also know that you should ask the person about anything that stands out to you directly).
-Trust your gut and move accordingly (always have a clause for being able to part ways, sometimes things just don’t workout that is business).

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

1) Alignment is everything & people’s why for me is the most important. I heavily value building with folks for the longevity verse just being around for a short time. In addition, really world experience has been the best qualifier for me in a lot of situations. I do consider myself a unicorn from the standpoint that I understand having to work your way up & prove yourself even once you have the qualifications so for me I don’t just assume a person who meets all qualifications is going to be qualified for the job.

I also believe in energy & praying over everyone decision I make & letting God lead so that also has led to not always choosing something who has all the right “credits” but no real world experience. Life I firmly believe is the best teacher , as that has been the case for me.

2) Give people a shot.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.womxnography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womxnography/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/titeanya
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@womxnography
• Other: Personal IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12988353/ Personal Website: https://titeanya.com/ Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/titeanya/ Grant Programs: https://bloody-disgusting.com/indie/3803670/bite-size-short-her-house-of-horrors-announce-short-grant-program/

Image Credits
Archie Anderson Onyinyechi Ogomaka Jazmin Johnson Jamie Issuh