Meet Raine Roberts

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raine Roberts.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in Chicago, IL. Growing up, I loved movies. The first movie I saw in theaters was “A Bug’s Life”, and – according to my parents – I didn’t blink the whole time and my eyes were watering like crazy. It was the stories that always captivated me. So, I started writing my own little stories. In the 2nd grade, I teamed up with my best friend at the time, who was (and still is) a really good artist, and we would make these picture books. We made a lot of them, now that I think about it, and we would share them with the class. I don’t know about the other kids, but I was thrilled. So, I kept at that up for a while. Eventually, we started making little movies. We were superheros, my little brother was the villain (naturally), and my dad filmed it on videotapes. My brother and I would also make little puppet videos, or mimic SNL skits, or anything that sounded funny. These weren’t any good, nor were they ever edited – aside from the amazing graphics and classic title cards of Window Movie Maker, RIP – but the point is, that they were extremely fun to make.

Creating stories and figuring out how to visually tell them was something I would do constantly in my head: at school, at soccer practice (which took up most of my free time), and laying in bed. If I didn’t like a movie I saw, or the story was lacking, I would go home and think; think about what could’ve been. I once spent four hours shooting hoops by myself and redoing the storyline of the Star Wars Prequels in my head. I was way more satisfied with it after that. Alas, I didn’t write it down. I think I was ten at the time. Then, I got to middle school… and that was… weird. I tried my hand at theatre and comedy. I did these things with Second City over the summer, writing and performing skits. But honestly, what took up most of my time in middle school was soccer. I played club year round, traveling to tournaments, practicing 3 to 4 times a week with a game every weekend. So, between that and school, my free time was dedicated to watching obscure movies and TV shows and reading books.

In high school, I got this job at a cupcake shop that was featured on Cupcake Wars (Molly’s Cupcakes, check ’em out), and this enabled me to spend money… on movies. Funny, the only reason I got that job was that I played soccer and reffed a couple of games. The owner is super into pro soccer, so it just kinda worked out. I wasn’t the kind of teenager that went shopping (except if it was for new cleats). I would work the morning shift, do homework, and then head to the movie theater to see the latest Hollywood formulated movie, the next Oscar winner, or an Indie flick. I was lucky that the closest movie theatre to me was this cool little Independent theatre –
as opposed to an AMC or Regal. Therefore, I would frequent the indie selection more than the Hollywood blockbusters in late high school just out of sheer convenience. Also, in late high school, I started to be less interested in my soccer team and more interested in the Language Arts classes I would take. My senior year – I was very ambitious – I took Creative Writing, AP Literature, and Honors Mythology all at the same time, and on top of my other classes. I loved it all. I was also applying to colleges during this time, and writing those essays for entry. I had no idea what I wanted to do. Despite that, I did get into a few schools, and CU Boulder gave me a good chunk of change as a scholarship. I decided to go there because I knew it would differ from anything in the Midwest, and I needed to leave. I had this strong urge to not go to college with anyone from my high school. So CU Boulder it was!

I came in undecided; I thought I could be an environmental engineer, or a creative writer, or a film studies major. So, I only took classes related to those of my first year. Environmental engineering was thrown out as an option very quickly – mainly because the professor was dull, sexist, and pretentious. I made Creative Writing my minor but dropped that sophomore year. The Intro to Film Studies class won me over my first semester, I have to admit. I’m sure the infamous Ernesto Acevedo-Muñoz is saying “Ehh Ernesto!” at this very moment. But he ignited my interest in the film department. Everything that followed was a whirlwind.

I got into Film Productions as opposed to Film Studies, but not without taking classes from the wonderful Melinda Barlow and Suranjan Ganguly. Melinda’s class really got me thinking and seeing through a feminist lens when I watch or read anything. Suranjan’s class in Paris was so much fun and exposed me to international cinema and its history. From that point forward, I took my first production class with Don Yannacito, a true gem. He had us practice on Super8 films, and told us that whatever spoke to us we should make. “Bore me!” he would say. For my final, I made a satire film about a depressed, existential French cat, and I was the cat speaking French. I still think it’s pretty funny, if not cringe-worthy. My next production course was with Victor Jendras, a man with the most sarcastic of personalities. He taught us what the fuck an f-stop was, how to do in-camera effects, and work with a 16mm Bolex camera. For that final, I made a film called MASKED, and it was about conformity. It ended up winning a Virgil Grillo Award at the end of the year, so that was cool. Next year, I had J. Gluckstern, he was extremely supportive and helped us figure out how to coordinate a more “professional” set – finding actors, putting together a budget, shot lists, that sort of thing. My final for that class was a mockumentary called “RACQUETTEERS” that I hope to make a feature out of someday.

By the time I became a senior at CU Boulder, I got into the BFA Film Productions program; I was also getting a BA in Communication; I had a job at the International Film Series – which shows awesome indie movies on-campus; and I worked at The Kage Rental Facilities, which allowed me to check out gear for free. I had also worked as a freelance videographer and editor in and around the Denver/Boulder area. Oh also, I was doing an Honors Thesis in Film Production. So, senior year, to say the least, was the busiest. My BFA production course was a year-long course in which we would make one film. It was taught by the great and passionate Kelly Sears, she pushed our class to a whole other level all while giving encouraging feedback, she was also my Honors Council Representative. I was also taking post-production classes from the tech-savvy Chris Osborn, and colloquium class from the lovely Jeanne Liotta. I learned a tremendous amount of tech and film culture from them both. It felt like my senior year of high school, only 50x busier, and 50x more exciting. During this year, I worked on my peers’ films doing whatever I could to help out. I loved working with every single one of them because I thought all of them had such great ideas and passion for their projects. It did mean that I basically had no free time. Between editing my BFA capstone film (that we had filmed 1st semester), working on my Honors Thesis essay and film, working at the IFS, the Kage, getting another degree, and helping others on their sets on the weekends, the only time I found for myself was when I went to the bathroom, or I had 45min between classes and I would go climbing at the gym. There were many days when I cursed myself for signing up for too much stuff, but at the same time, I enjoy(ed) film and filmmaking so much, it was worth it.

It was quite a challenge. But I couldn’t have done this first 22 years of my life without my parents, Lisa and Dave Roberts for always driving me to soccer games in rain and snow all over the corn-field ridden Midwest, and for always supporting me in whatever I wanted to do; my brother, Hunter, for being my best friend through and through; for my best friends growing up; for my partner, Yarrow, always there to remind me to breathe and eat something; for all of my film professors, whom I’ve learned so much from, and whom have encouraged and guided this passion of film in me; and for the baddest Boulder bitches around: Veronica Mendoza, Kristen Williams, Erin Neitzel, Madi Lyn, Andi Hart, Dana Crawford, Rose Gordon, Mariah Diaz, Ileana Rivera, Laney Winkler, Brandon Blanc, and Jack Dorfman for making me laugh, cry, and be honest. You all are amazing.

Right now, I’m graduated with a BFA in Film Productions w/ Magnum Cum Laude, BA in Communication w/ Distinction, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and a whole lot of filmmaking experience.

That was probably way more detailed than it needed to be, but whatever works, I suppose!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As with most peoples’ lives, challenges and conflicts present themselves frequently, if not daily. It’s how it goes. For me, no, it has definitely not been a smooth road. I have struggled with anxiety and PTSD since I was eight. It comes in waves, sometimes all is good in the world, and then you turn a corner and then… it’s not. My anxiety can trigger my PTSD, and that disables me to think and talk rationally. This has affected how I’ve interacted with people and how I navigate the world.

It also didn’t help that I was bullied a good amount early on in elementary school and some in middle school – I was too weird, never brushed my hair, I had bucked teeth, hated wearing jeans so I wore these highlighter yoga pants (before yoga pants were in), and I was quiet. No one seemed to have a lot of confidence in me (aside from my parents and coaches). I was a regular passenger on the Nerd Express, but it made me who I am today, so I’ve embraced it. But, at the time, it was strange. I think I was so much in my head that I didn’t even realize the full effect of the bullying had on my sociability. It took a lot of mental training to get used to talking with new classmates or new people later on.

My brother was born with a heart irregularity, and that came into effect right around 2nd grade for me, he was four. I’m sure that manifested itself as more of a struggle for my young brother than it did for me. But he had to be hospitalized a few times, had open-heart surgery, it was all very scary. That contributed to my anxiety and PTSD.

It pops up when I’m overly stressed or when I’m under-stimulated. So there needs to be a balance for me if I’m going to continue.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m a freelance videographer, editor, photographer, and independent filmmaker. I have been hired by companies and a few individuals to film and edit things for them, or to take photos of them. I’ve worked with Wild Mango Productions and Mercury Red Studios. Wild Mango was more of a “for hire” deals; so I filmed a wide variety of things (i.e. soccer games, the law Bar study sessions, World Singing Day, etc.). With Mercury Red, I was introduced to Ian Ferrer (the founder) through a friend of mine, and I became the cinematographer and producer for Ian’s first short film, Chronicle Gray. We also did a few freelanced work, as well.

I specialize in Directing, Cinematography, and Editing. I’m proud of most of the projects I’ve been on and that I’ve made myself. What really sets me apart from a lot of other filmmakers is meticulous attention to detail and creative problem-solving. On my BFA capstone film, a key element in the film was supposed to be this dock at Lake Granby, and it was there when I location scouted with my brother. But, a month later, when the whole crew of 20 people and my actors arrived with this giant canoe at Lake Granby (2.5 hours of driving), the dock had been removed. How they did this, I do not know. Why they did this, I do not know. But, I panicked for roughly 2 seconds, and then said, let’s move the canoe to the beach and tie it a pole. Problem solved. I was very proud of that moment.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Oh gee, I have major ones and little ones. I think my biggest one would be completing my BFA capstone film, Requisition, I put my heart and soul into that film, and I think it looks and sounds great. I think also being asked to work on other peoples’ films is also an honor and a proud moment for me; it means they actually want me and my skills on set. That’s such a compliment. Other proud moments is receiving the Virgil Grillo Award, and receiving Best Still Photography from the Hollywood Art and Movie Awards and getting past the 1st round of judging in the Nikon Global Photo Contest for the same image. Photography has always been a side hobby of mine, but the rewards have been very fruitful.

The little ones are the comments and compliments people give me on my works, it always means a lot.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://raineroberts.wordpress.com/portfolio-2/
• Email: raine.roberts101@gmail.com

Image Credit:
Behind the Scenes Photography Taken by Veronica Mendoza and Jack Dorfman
Poster of Requisition is a screen still, Director of Photography is Erin Neitzel
Black and white photos were taken by me, Raine Roberts

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