Roderick E. Stevens / Biography

Roderick E. Stevens is referred to by some as the very definition of "Filmmaker". He has spent the past decade working in just about every capacity that exists on a film set. "I've worked camera, grip, electric, sound and art department. I've gotten coffee and driven talent and I've written, produced, directed, and edited all sorts of projects."Roderick is uniquely experienced as a Cinematographer - considering the first few years of his career were spent. . . as a Director. Roderick elaborates. "Since the age of four, I've thought of nothing but filmmaking. Of course not knowing any better I assumed that meant I was destined for Director. My life was filled with all kinds of indications of a passion for cinematography but I ignored them, determined to become a Director. It took several years before I realized, I can't STAND directing!"After attending film school in Los Angeles in 1990-91, Roderick moved back to Arizona, raised financing for his first Feature Film, Open Arms, and created Cinemavista Moving Pictures, Inc. In 1993 he shot his second feature, Act Of Violence (later re-titled Deadly Exposure) a "tongue -in- cheek" action film which found worldwide distribution.By the mid-90s, CVMP had produced several Television projects for USA Network, The Sci-Fi Channel, America's Most Wanted and others, as well as numerous Addy Award winning Commercials. It was around that time however that Roderick finally came to realize his true love for cinematography. He still does a fair amount of producing, but is happily quite focused on his duties as a technician and artist serving the Writer's words and the Director's vision.Those early experiences have proven invaluable to the producers and directors Roderick has worked with since. "Having been there, means I know what they're going through." Explains Roderick. "I remember the type of support I needed and I work very hard at balancing out my love for film and light with the interpretive needs of the director and the fiscal needs of the producer."Since this career re-direction, Roderick has served as Director of Photography on a dozen more feature films, numerous short films, and several music videos. Most recently he was D.P. and Producer on the latest music video for Grammy winners Los Tigres Del Norte. "I enjoy producing on occasion too. I'm a problem solver. As a Cinematographer I'm solving technical issues, as a Producer I'm working out logistics. . . plus as a Producer I get to hire the D.P.!" Roderick adds with a grin.As a Producer, Roderick prefers flexibility, so he and his partners at CVMP began building up an extensive equipment inventory including a very nice 35mm sync camera package with Super Speed lenses, plus 16mm and Video cameras, Dolly package with Jib-arm and track, 3 ton Grip and Lighting package and lots of other toys. "We're not an equipment rental company," he clarifies "we just like the freedom of having the toys when we're ready to play." As a D.P., Roderick loves manipulating light like a musician in a symphony. "Sometimes it's about slashes and streaks and harshness, and sometimes it's about warmth and comfort and softness. I can't say I have a particular 'style' because I've literally worked in different ways on every production. I love the collaboration of a film production and I can never emphasize to these low-budget productions how important it is to bring in a good Art Department. It's one thing to do a great job with lighting and camera, it's another to light and shoot a great looking set."In 2001, Roderick completed three more Features, a half dozen Short Films, and also dove head first into Music Videos, having shot six in two months. He was also invited to become a member of the Society of Operating Cameramen. In addition to the thrill of creating great looking images, and contributing to a good story, Roderick concludes. "I love learning and I walk away from every production with an education."