Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Rivas
Hi Tony, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have been in entertainment since I was a child, starting my journey modeling for print and acting in films such as Angels in the Attic and the series Touched by an Angel. While in college, I moved behind the camera and majored in film. I studied film theory rather extensively and found a love for writing, directing, and film production. After graduating with a BA in Screenwriting from Westminster University and a MA in Film Studies from Chapman University, I began my journey as a filmmaker. My first short film, The Thing from the Hallway, was released in 2018 and served as a poignant point of departure for my future work.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Filmmaking is anything but leisurely, but it is a labor of love. Creating is a very personal experience and people on the outside aren’t going to approach your project with the same passion and understanding. Crafting something meaningful takes time, effort, and resources, which means you have to approach each project with tenacity and dedication. Problems and setbacks are inevitable and serve as important learning experiences. From sourcing funding, to mobilizing actors and crew, to dealing with inevitable rejections, you have to be brave to put yourself out there so boldly. Being a director means operating from a position of leadership. It requires clear and efficient delegation, gumption, and the ability the empower your collaborators. Long story short, if the road is bumpy you’re on the right track.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a writer and film director with an affinity for narrative cinema. Currently, I am known for my three short films: The Thing from the Hallway (2018), Scraps (2022), and Where the Fuck are Your Teeth? (2024). In regards to what I am most proud of, my most recent film—Where the Fuck are Your Teeth?—is a hybridization of some of my favorite genres: namely comedy, horror, and the musical. It is undoubtedly the most challenging film I have made. During pre-production, my producer Sharon Reza suggested that I play the lead role. While this wasn’t what I initially envisioned, the idea awoke something in me and the rest fell into place. Consequently, the film saw me serving as director, co-producer, lead actor, and editor. This required weeks of rehearsal and discipline. It was also the first time I had directed anything while being in front of the camera for most of the production. This forced me to be reliant on the very things that set me apart from my peers, namely my bravery, boldness, and comprehensive knowledge of film theory and history.
What does success mean to you?
Although the process is an inherently arduous endeavor, my definition of success is relatively simple: completing what you set out to accomplish. Success isn’t waiting around for the right time, success is sticking your foot in the door and actualizing your vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rivasxreza.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynesthete/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tonyjrivas
