Interview with Fro Rojas: Filmmaker & Photographer
Fro Rojas
Filmmaker & Photographer
Fro Rojas, filmmaker and photographer, has been filling the art world with creative freshness for over ten years. His interest in film was first sparked by a high school TV production class, and eventually grew into a love and passion. In this interview I ask Fro about his source of inspriation, favorite camera tools, and tips for newbie photographers.
1. Your photography seems to have a vintage flare, who/what inspires your photography?
A lot of things inspire my photography. I think music is the main one and I think more importantly a feeling and vibe inspire the overall look. I’ve always loved looking back and seeing photographs my mom had of us growing up. There’s just something beautiful about the vintage vibe and feel to it. I always feel like that style has more of a story to it
2. What photography tools/skills have you found have crossed over to your filmmaking and directing?
So I’ve been directing commercials for about 10 years now and I started doing photography more recently...about a year and a half ago to be exact. I think for me, being able to tell stories in film and advertising helped shape the story element I like to add to my photography. As far as the reversal of that, I feel like photography definitely opened my eyes a lot more to what my DP does. I definitely have a better understanding of lighting and placing of my camera on my sets now thanks to photography. I always knew what I wanted for any of my films/video projects but it was more instinctual, where as now I understand what and why I am doing it.
3. What peaked your interest in film and photography?
I’ve always had an interest in art. I was the kid growing up that instead of playing baseball all summer I was away at Art Camp. In high school I was taking several art classes and I took TV production my junior year. Most people took TV production because it was an easy and chill class. The teacher saw my interest in art and offered to let me direct some commercials for the school. So if the wrestling team was having a bake sale to raise money for a trip I’d shoot a 30 second spot for our morning announcements. By my senior year i was directing all the commercials for the school and directing the morning show as well. It was the first time that I felt like there were so many more possibilities to create art through this medium. I really fell in love with storytelling. So I started to look more into filmmaking and study some of my favorite directors and as they say..the rest is history. Photography was more recent and it was mainly because a friend suggested I play around with it more...I did and fell in love with a new art medium to me to tell stories.
4. What’s your favorite camera lens to use for photography? Why?
My favorite camera is the Fuji X100t and now the newer version of that camera the X100f. They have a 23mm fixed lens that I think is just perfect. When I first got into photography I think my main goal was to look for a camera that was small and compact but powerful enough to get the shots I wanted. I’ve never been a fan of bulky cameras or lenses. To me it’s more about the moment and finding a that moment with the model. So after doing research got the X100 and I have shot most of my shoots on those cameras. There’s also something challenging that great about having a fixed lens.
5. What’s one tip you’d give to a beginner photographer?
Hmmm..honestly just do whatever makes you happy. In all aspects of life but generally in photography play around with different ideas and try and find something you really love to do. When I first started I played around with shooting landscapes and shooting different concepts and I realized what I loved to do….which was tell a story with a model and create a mood and vibe.
Fro Rojas has directed commercials for brands such as Sprint & Dunkin Donuts.
More Fun Qs & As
1. What’s more important the lens or the camera body?
Both are equally important but a great image can be captured with any camera. I’ve had some great shoots with just a disposable camera from Kodak. The important thing is what you’re capturing and what you’re trying to say with your photography. Too many people get caught up with having the best and most expensive camera (which is nice) but it’s better to tell a story with your camera.
2. What filmmakers have inspired your filmmaking or directing style?
It’s such a wide range. Early on it was definitely Hype Williams who I think changed the music video industry forever and no one has really been able to do what he did. Tim Burton was another director who early on inspired me a lot..a funny one is Michael Bay. And I say funny because most filmmakers will never admit his influence on them, but Michael definitely has some of the most beautiful imagery in all of his work and early on he was one of the directors I looked up to most. Now my biggest influence is definitely Wes Anderson. His story telling is amazing but his visual art direction and attention to detail is just on another level. Everything is just breathtaking.
Follow Fro on Instagram @frorojas
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