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I launched my website called http://studentsofhiphop.com/http://studentsofhiphop.com/http://studentsofhiphop.com/ 3 weeks ago and since than we have done interviews with Blu, DOM KENNEDY, Asher Roth, HeavyHitter DJ Lonnie B, Ace Hood, Melody Eshani (Jewelery Designer for q-tip/erykah badu/etc), and today we posted our exclusive interview with RIK CORDERO. Expectto see some "G.O.O.D." interviews next week hint hint. I thought you guys would be interested in the interview he drops alot of jewels in it. Give mesome feedback please. Constructive crtiicism is always welcome.
If anyone has taken the late Malcolm X's motto "By any means necessary" to heart, it's Rik Cordero. The 29-year-old director/cinematographeris giving the standard Hip-Hop video a much needed facelift with his "guerilla" style filmmaking. Bypassing city permits and the crutch ofmajor-label finances, Cordero's videos depict a raw, gritty quality that big-budget videos have been failing to capture over the past two decades. And withdirecting credits for the likes of Nas, Wale, Jadakiss, Consequence, and Jay-Z, Cordero is bringing the genre of Hip-Hop videos back to its roots: TheStreets.
Who is Rik Cordero?
I'm basically just someone who loves to observe the human condition and tell stories through motion pictures by any means necessary.
To clear up any misconceptions that may possibly be associated with the term, could you please define "guerilla"filmmaking and how it differs from other styles of shooting?
Guerilla filmmaking is a form of indie filmmaking that is characterized by using resources that are readily available. Scenes are usually shot quickly in reallocations without any warning and without obtaining permits. Traditional filmmaking is much slower and requires large budgets for permits, rentals, sets, etc.I tend to dabble in both but I'm primarily known more for my guerilla tactics.
What was the defining moment from your past when you knew that you wanted to be involved in the realm of motion pictures andmusic videos?
I completed my first feature at the age of 25 in 2004 and I didn't actually break into the industry until around 2007. For me it's been a series ofsmall moments rather than one big defining one. I didn't go to film school, I just read a lot of books and mainly experimented until I figured out whatworked best for me. I would find little nuggets of inspiration like music videos for local bands or short stories and just shoot by any means necessary. RobertRodriguez wrote a great book, a memoir about his break into Hollywood, and he has this great section at the end called "The 10 Minute Film School".In it he basically just tells you the basics of what you need to know for a film and he nails it. From my experience observing my film school friends, theyteach you that everything is impossible. That you need X amount of dollars to tell a good story. I'm more interested in finding that story that resonatesemotionally with my audience. Everything else will fall into place afterwards.
Hip-Hop remains the most descriptive genre of music, with detailed storylines that are delivered almost cinematically. Is thatwhat attracted you to the culture, as far as from a director's standpoint?
As a former DJ/Producer Hip-Hop was a way of life for me. I've been immersed in the culture at an early age so as a director it's very easy to findthat emotional connection between the artist and viewers because you simply have to feel the music. It's a really great genre to work in visually if youfind the right music.
the rest of the interview is at http://studentsofhiphop.com/http://studentsofhiphop.com/
If anyone has taken the late Malcolm X's motto "By any means necessary" to heart, it's Rik Cordero. The 29-year-old director/cinematographeris giving the standard Hip-Hop video a much needed facelift with his "guerilla" style filmmaking. Bypassing city permits and the crutch ofmajor-label finances, Cordero's videos depict a raw, gritty quality that big-budget videos have been failing to capture over the past two decades. And withdirecting credits for the likes of Nas, Wale, Jadakiss, Consequence, and Jay-Z, Cordero is bringing the genre of Hip-Hop videos back to its roots: TheStreets.
Who is Rik Cordero?
I'm basically just someone who loves to observe the human condition and tell stories through motion pictures by any means necessary.
To clear up any misconceptions that may possibly be associated with the term, could you please define "guerilla"filmmaking and how it differs from other styles of shooting?
Guerilla filmmaking is a form of indie filmmaking that is characterized by using resources that are readily available. Scenes are usually shot quickly in reallocations without any warning and without obtaining permits. Traditional filmmaking is much slower and requires large budgets for permits, rentals, sets, etc.I tend to dabble in both but I'm primarily known more for my guerilla tactics.
What was the defining moment from your past when you knew that you wanted to be involved in the realm of motion pictures andmusic videos?
I completed my first feature at the age of 25 in 2004 and I didn't actually break into the industry until around 2007. For me it's been a series ofsmall moments rather than one big defining one. I didn't go to film school, I just read a lot of books and mainly experimented until I figured out whatworked best for me. I would find little nuggets of inspiration like music videos for local bands or short stories and just shoot by any means necessary. RobertRodriguez wrote a great book, a memoir about his break into Hollywood, and he has this great section at the end called "The 10 Minute Film School".In it he basically just tells you the basics of what you need to know for a film and he nails it. From my experience observing my film school friends, theyteach you that everything is impossible. That you need X amount of dollars to tell a good story. I'm more interested in finding that story that resonatesemotionally with my audience. Everything else will fall into place afterwards.
Hip-Hop remains the most descriptive genre of music, with detailed storylines that are delivered almost cinematically. Is thatwhat attracted you to the culture, as far as from a director's standpoint?
As a former DJ/Producer Hip-Hop was a way of life for me. I've been immersed in the culture at an early age so as a director it's very easy to findthat emotional connection between the artist and viewers because you simply have to feel the music. It's a really great genre to work in visually if youfind the right music.
the rest of the interview is at http://studentsofhiphop.com/http://studentsofhiphop.com/
