Meet Emmitt Rodgers

We were lucky to catch up with Emmitt Rodgers recently and have shared our conversation below.

Emmitt, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

Just out of the way enough, between suburbs in Arnold, Missouri, there’s a little neighborhood of duplex apartments. Oddly enough, I would recently come to find out that neighborhood was built by my wife’s great-great grandfather…that’s where I grew up. I’m the only boy out of five kids. Growing up with four sisters, only one being younger, and an absent father provided ample opportunities to give up. And I have before, but it’s something I refuse to do now. I left home at 17, and my parents didn’t split until I was 21. I grew up in a dysfunctional family.

Interrupting that story for just a second…I’ve always loved music and film. I’ve had a camera in my hands since I was young elementary school age. This has been my anchor and my one constant in life – throughout all my struggles. And just one month before my parents split, I began directing my first feature film. The most daunting task of my life thus far. Little did I know, the next year and a half would prove otherwise.

Two months into production, I found that I had no other choice but to delay production; the entire summer was cleared. Production began March 2023, and we officially wrapped production December 2024. How did this happen? I ask myself that all the time and the honest answer is: it shouldn’t have…but I simply refused to give up. I’ve found a parallel in my life between family and film – two of my greatest passions. With a divorce still lingering in the air through court dates, I still remain the only child who does not choose a side between my parents. The most important thing to me was keeping everyone in my life. Maintaining those relationships was my priority.

As I watch my feature film drafts in preparation for our very first theatrical premiere at the Hi Pointe Theatre, I can’t help but notice all the shots we took in my dad’s apartment. In one scene, I see the living room I grew up in. In another one, I see a completely different room after my mom left.

Throughout this entire production, my cast and crew got me through these times. They believed in and trusted me through this whole film. Without resilience, I wouldn’t still be here doing this. It wasn’t taught to me by my dad, it was taught to me by my own experiences and challenges.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m an indie filmmaker in St. Louis…so then the question is begged – “Am I wasting my time?” It would seem that way to many, but it’s how I express myself. I tell the story of who I am through films and music. Starting out drumming in a trashy $200 drum set my older sister bought me from a pawn shop…it wasn’t great. I wasn’t great. I never would’ve imagined I’d be finishing a mix on my first homemade studio album with one of my closest friends.

Above all, I am a storyteller. Whether that be through visual storytelling in my films or narrative storytelling in my lyrics, the story is king. My independent film production company, “Imperial Light Pictures,” has been my greatest passion project. We strive for entertaining our audiences and giving them a great escape from reality. My heart is to proudly represent my city in my art. You can take the home from the boy, but not the boy from his home.

I find myself tired out from Hollywood cash grabs. super hero fatigue, and remakes…oh, so many remakes. I crave original voices and narratives in film. My entire mission in this industry is to maybe offer something different. The way a line is spoken, the inflection, camera angle/movement…every choice is original.

On Friday, May 16th @ 7pm, we are hosting an exclusive premiere screening of our first feature film, “Gulliver’s Baddest Day.” It’s about a 2 hour runtime, with a few sneak peeks at what we’re working on next! Before our film, we are offering an indie filmmaker’s 3 minute short film to be shown – should they be chosen per our short film competition. Deadline to submit is March 28th!

Debut album coming out later this summer!

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?

Looking back from where I stand now, it’s very clear to me that I hardly know what I’m doing (haha). I’m far from what I want to be, but am as motivated as ever to work for it. It’s the age-old principal that it’s not the endgame, but the journey that really counts. I wish I were more patient, especially back then. If I had trusted the process and practiced patience, maybe I’d even be farther now. Nevertheless, I carry that idea with me closely.

I’m a strong believer in learning your entire life – you never truly stop learning. Being self motivated can be very difficult, but there’s something to be said about getting yourself out of bed and getting into the weeds of you work. I had found this pressure point and would not let up – the pressure I put on myself was immense and almost too much to handle. Research, learn, always keep an open mind to find something new and get to know it well. If you find yourself adding unnecessary pressure, give yourself some grace.

Knowing how to make films is important to make a film, but I found that it’s even more important to know how to make MY films. Honestly, I think I’m still figuring it out.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Working on this album that releases Summer of ’25 has been one of the greatest learning experiences in my life and it’s energized me to find more. I crave working with outside the box thinkers and creatives. My entire spirit is that of independent art. This rock album consists of three of us guys who grew up in very different eras of music and entertainment. Steve grew up loving the newest sound of his time: Guns N’ Roses. Dan’s life was changed forever when he first sneaked away from his parents long enough to hear Kurt Cobain’s voice on a Nirvana cassette tape. I grew up with the biggest crush on Hayley Williams of Paramore, trying to learn every Paramore song on the drums. Making music with these two guys has changed me for the better and has opened me up to new ideas and avenues of making art.

Creativity knows no bounds, and art is art. I look for people who are committed and open to new perspectives. Someone who also strives to put their own fingerprint on their art. Anyone who can challenge me to grow I someone I strive to collaborate with. They can always find me on social media. Facebook: Emmitt Rodgers. Instagram: @meezyfilms

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @meezyfilms OR @imperiallightpictures
• Facebook: Emmitt Rodgers
• Youtube: Imperial Light Pictures
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits

Lillie Bader

Ben Cunningham