We were lucky to catch up with Jeremy Rodriguez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jeremy, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I’ve always tried to be a helper and motivator in people’s lives. I grew up as an alter boy in church until I was in middle school, after high school I had a reoccurring summer job as a camp counselor for the YMCA in Spring, Tx. When I moved to California my abilities to be impactful and motivating took the form of training others how to be as successful as they could be in their jobs. Most of these positions were in the restaurant industry, and then when I finally decided to test my skills at management I began to really excel. For the longest time my purpose was reinforced and celebrated with accolades from peers, bosses, and a nice paycheck. I climbed the ladder quickly and went on multiple jobs around the world. Then everything shut down, and my sense of accomplishment and purpose shifted. By that time, I had learned a lot and my self-confidence had grown but the job no longer felt right. Leading a team for this company didn’t excite me or motivate me. I would say I learned too much, getting a glimpse of the ladder I was climbing, and deciding to pull myself out of a leadership position I had always been great at, and job I had for over 10 years.
It was scary for a while, leaving such a steady pay, routine, group of friends, and work/life pattern!
But my mom always reminded me to “act now, react later” so I got a new job as quickly as I could until I could get a handle of the mess I made.
That’s where my purpose was hiding, I knew I loved working with people and building a cultures of community but I didn’t have a guide on making that path to pursue. I had to throw out the rule book for my entrepreneur brain to kick in.
Throughout my life, and while in school, I was always bringing people together for different events, work-functions, pop-up BBQs, backyard parties, mud kickball games, etc. It excites me to create a culture of community and family, where everyone has fun and feels at home. It’s why I did so well as a manager, or team leader. It’s just my southern vibe!!
So, after a bit of regrouping, I ended up as a nightclub manager in DTLA, and it’s in that space that I saw an opportunity to create a short film festival called, Queer Here Cinema; similar to Out Fest but in a nightclub environment. With the help from my friend Nick Steiner as event moderator, we put together our first night on July 27, 2022 in DTLA and had standing room only!
Now, Queer Here Cinema has home in the heart of West Hollywood at STACHE. It’s a different environment for the night, being in the middle of WeHo you’re forgoing the pin drop silence of a theatre venue for the drag queen bingo game and karaoke night happening nearby, but it’s a good difference. Personally, I think it’s a great spot for the queer nightclub world and queer film world to coexist. So many people in the club, from the drag queens, go-gos, bartenders, Djs, and everyone on the dance floor, are also funny, smart, and talented writers/directors/actors outside the club. Queer Here Cinema sheds a little light on the different sides of our nightlife, our community and what we do when we come out to play.
It was also at that nightclub where I would be the manager on duty during Karaoke nights. It was a new club and the clientele was building, many of those nights I would sing to help keep the list moving. This Thursday night shift would reignite an older version of me that used to sing in choir and competed for a bit. I’m not a professional singer at all, but it is in my blood. My grandfather was a Mariachi singer and every time I sing, I feel he’s standing with me singing along (he would be way better than me for sure!)
When that nightclub closed it created a perfect combination of opportunity and preparedness. I had the confidence to take my festival to a new venue and was lucky enough to have a contact at STACHE in West Hollywood that would open a door for me. When my best friend asked me if I wanted to try my KJ skills at our local watering hole, The Bullet Bar, I had seen enough and sung enough that didn’t hesitate to say yes.
Something magical happens when you get an opportunity to mix your work life and play life together, and I want to spread that like fairy dust all over!!
Queer Here Cinema will be going into it’s 2nd year of screenings this July and has a growing audience month after month. I’ve been hosting my own karaoke night for 6mnths so far and I hope it grows into one the best Friday happy hour karaoke in the LA.
I think back to growing up as a closeted gay kid in Texas, in a proud Latin, catholic household. The things I heard about being gay and those who lived that life scared me, and made me feel shameful for what was in my heart. Had you told me then that I would end up creating a queer film festival, be on stage every week singing in a gay bar, in one of the largest cities in the world, I would have not believed you at all. I was a sassy little smarty pants, I probably would’ve said something back like, “if you’re from the future, tell me how I did it.” and then asked for it all in writing.
Everyone’s sense of purpose looks different, and that’s the magic in it all. It’s that sense of wanting to do more and be more that pushes you towards more of what you desire. I challenge the notion that we just have one purpose though. I view our purpose as branches of the bigger tree that is Me (or You.)
We aren’t just one thing, nor can we do just one thing. If we’re grounded enough and confident enough, we can branch out from one purpose, and create a whole new world of meaning for ourselves and others.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Honestly, I feel like I’m just recreating parts of my life that brought me the biggest joy, figuring out how to brand it and share it with others. With Queer Here Cinema, there is a new community of filmmakers coming together to network, share projects, support and celebrate eachother. I remember that feeling when I went on my very first film festival circuit, a sense of pride and accomplishment that was rooted in the hard work of ‘playing pretend,’ and being included in a group of talented creators. When I select the films every month I get a little excitement knowing I put some of that good news in someone’s inbox.
There’s also a deeper purpose with this festival; these stories that are being created are what I wish I had access to growing up. My adolescence took place during the 80’s and 90’s in rural Texas, and I didn’t have access to any example of what a successful queer life looked like; professionally, romantically, or even in friendships. I know this event, and others like it, will help to normalize our life’s’ struggles for those yet to come out, and hopefully foster a more inclusive society where our challenges are embraced and understood.
My karaoke nights are a different vibe from Queer Here Cinema. SING BI*CH! Happy Hour Edition is where I can let loose and get a little “cheeky” while I work. I’ve learned that karaoke has more to do with your vibe than your ability to sing (although that helps too) and I try to make everyone feel comfortable while they have the mic. The feedback has been great and the crowd is building. It’s a fun time every Friday, 4-8 at the Bullet Bar in North Hollywood. This place has been my local bar for over 15years, and it’s a big contributor to queer community all year long; I feel very lucky to have a night there. A place where I can cheer others on, entertain them a little bit, and hang out with some of my best friends every week.
Some new things coming up:
Starting in May Queer Here Cinema will move to the 4th Sunday of the month at STACHE in West Hollywood. Doors will open at 7pm with screenings starting at 8pm.
There’s talks of bringing Queer Here Cinema to some rooftop or parks for outdoor movie nights this Summer. I’m in the process of scouting locations, investors and seeing what other resources I would need to see this through. There’s some much needed social media platform updates coming soon as well.
Karaoke nights continue to grow and I think I would like to branch out to a second night somewhere in LA and see what vibes I can create there.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Success qualities are different for everyone, I think the three qualities that have helped me along the way have been, keeping a positive mindset/attitude, maintaining an open heart with boundaries, and having ‘the audacity.’ Here are a few hacks I’ve learned to build on those qualities.
Keeping a positive mindset/attitude is easier when you regulate your input of what you see and hear on a daily basis.
The adage; where your attention goes, energy flows, is something I remind myself of daily. I like to feed my brain at least 15minutes of a book that grows me professionally along with some intention and goal setting in the morning. The music I listen to now includes artists whos lyrics are about growth, positivity, creation, and manifesting the life you want. Artists like Abel Heart, Moonlight Scorpio and Qveen Herby are what I listen to when I’m exercising from home or on hikes with my dog, Tonks. I call home often to stay in touch with loved ones and spend quality time with my friends. I believe cultivating a positive social circle is important as well and I have a social circle of others that share my joy; ambitious creators, helpers, givers, and those who continuously seek growth opportunities in all areas of their lives.
Having an open heart, as I would describe it, just means to receive everyone equally and as they present themselves to you. Allowing others to be their authentic selves creates a culture of connection and understanding. I protect that culture with a mantra I have written on my bathroom mirror “MY STANDARDS ARE STRONGER THAN MY FEELINGS.” This helps to gauge connections, friendships, and relationships. Keeping me in check with what I know to be true for myself and what I want vs. what I feel in the moment, giving myself emotional boundaries so conversations can flow freely and people feel seen and heard.
Finally, you need a little bit of that “if it’s going to be, it’s up to me” audacity. Having a vision for something and seeing it through are two wildly different things, and everything comes with fail factors that will challenge your vision. Your conviction and attitude will to help push through those moments.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I wouldn’t be able to name just one person who has helped me along the way or taught me the skills needed to be successful. I learned it all through an array of talented leaders and entrepreneurs in my life’s journey. I do currently have some amazing mentors that give me great perspective in life matters, they help me stay focused on my personal and business goals. I had the honor to work with some really talented leaders and directors in my restaurant career. They inspired me to inspire others and as a team, we duplicated that culture around the world. My circle of friends are all working on projects of their own, in their own arenas, and they serve as an example of grit and skillful dedication to their craft. Where I’m at now in my life is a product of all these positive connections made in the past and shared vision of the future.
The one person that is consentient in all those connections is me. So maybe, I’m the one that’s been most helpful to my success??
Contact Info:
- Website: https://queerherecinema.my.canva.site/queerhere
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queerherecinema/,
https://www.instagram.com/10j.ro/ - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@QueerHereCinema
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Nick Steiner Cameron Thrower @Camglammed Kimberly Perrin Patrick Hilgart Tony Moore Heather Turman Elizabeth Mae Alan Ian Schaid Vi Agra (Sammy C) Jonathon Saia Curtis Krick Chase Dimock Tony Soto Pickle Lauren Banall William Groebe
