ENTRY DESCRIPTION
WARPAINT (shot on Ilford HP5 Plus) was captured at 11 p.m. on a Sunday night, beneath a canopy of stars, while four boats are prepared in order to glide stealthily through the tranquil, dark waters of the inland channels along the Chesapeake, Virginia coast. The individuals on board comprise a diverse class, spanning 15-year-old high school students, young aspiring SEAL candidates undergoing the real enlistment process, to middle-aged ministers and physicists seeking a physical and mental challenge. Their mission: Navigate to a spot approximately one mile downriver, trek a mile along the railroad tracks, and execute a prearranged intersection rescue mission to retrieve two hostages seized by enemy forces.

This scenario unfolds during Hell Night at the Extreme SEAL Experience, a demanding program that brings together participants of varied backgrounds, forcing them to collaborate and support each other in order to survive the rigorous challenges presented.

AUTHOR
My name is Mario Ricardo Rodriguez. I am a first generation Latin-American filmmaker from the City of Angels, Los Angeles, California. I'm an emerging artist committed to crafting cinematic stories that explore the human condition. I strive to create meaningful world-class cinema for those who are interested in character-driven stories.

I received my Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and a Master of Fine Arts from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Amongst my peers, I am known as an energetic and goal-oriented individual. I carry with me a strong determination, a curious imagination, and a reliable sense for problem solving. Along with my solid work ethic, I crave creative collaboration and inspired innovation.

Stories that inspire me surface from my roots. Stories of travel and adventure, stories that make you feel and think. Stories that share a foreign perspective and experience. Stories that dive deep into the human condition. I enjoy interacting with others, learning their customs, cultures, and actively participating in whatever sparks as new and different. I enjoy listening to universally unique stories of feat and mischief.

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