Meet Rodney Jackson | Filmmaker and COO of 480 Worldwide

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rodney Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rodney, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I was always a mega fan of films and tv shows from an early age. Being from Baltimore Md, and not the good part, I never imagined being able to be apart of a project, forget about actually being a director of one. TV and films were an escape from my everyday life.

While I was a kid I used to draw these comics on loose leaf paper with stick figures. Didn’t understand that I was teaching myself how to direct scenes, blocking, and camera angles. They were pretty intricate for stick figures complete with depth of focus shots as well.

Fast forward to Framingham Massachusetts where I ended up living with mom, Yvonne Lopez after a series of crazy situations, I got into professional childrens theater briefly and was even able to preform at the Boston Children’s Theater which was a big deal. Big crowds and lots of pressure. It was fun but moreso I got to brag about it in school after getting rejected by my middle-school drama program. Yeah I’ve always had a bit of a petty streak.

Fast forward years later and my wife at the time, Susan Jackson (deceased), wanted to get my kids acting gigs. I didn’t know anything about how to do this. I figured I’d try to get on some sets by any means necessary. Doing this had me auditioning for a project headed up by my now business partner and friend Tavares Wilson CEO of 480 Worldwide. I used my acting experience from middle school and was cast as the bad guy in the film. I instantly became engrossed with the process of filmmaking. Tavares gave me a shot. At first it was moving lights around on set, then find locations, and just trying to do whatever I can to help make things happen. From there things progressed to where we are right now, which is now Im COO of 480 Worldwide and director of several films and projects across alot of different platforms among other accomplishments.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
You know the cool thing about being in the entertainment industry is being able to create projects and have people all over the world consume them. Especially when you have a screening…oh man its such an experience! You are so nervous at first but when the film starts and you are hearing the reactions from the audience, the high is incredible. Its a natural high unlike no other. You are sitting in your seat like “Yeah I knew that would work!”

This industry is a grind and it takes alot of work. There’s alot of heartbreak in this business. Things don’t always work out the way you want them to. Early on we tried to build these big teams having all these people around us. But it wasn’t organic and these people fell off for various reasons. Some of these situations were disappointing and hurtful. My partner and myself are extremely loyal people, sometimes to a fault. The industry can be cruel and unusually cruel to people like us. However my partner and I have outlasted many in this business. We kept going despite the heartbreak. Our skin has toughened and we are much more wise in who we let be around us. Now along with our CFO Tai Anderson we have a core group of people around us who are around us for the right reasons. Now we have achieved things that we would have given a limb for early in our career. The energy of your team has to be right or it all falls apart.

The one thing about us is we don’t stop. Whether its films, tv, commercials, music, books, apparel and more, we are constantly being creative. We nurture every single creative outlet that someone around us wants to do.

With 480 Musicgroup I have two albums out. Me! Being apart of this team gives you the confidence to stretch yourself majorly. I never imagined it would have been possible. Plus working with a multi-platinum producer to boot!

Our Focus CDLXXX brand has put out all sorts of clothes and apparel, even shoes.

The award-winning 480 Films is the backbone of all this. Its because of our success in this space we have been making everything else happen. We have films on streaming services like Peacock, Tubi, Amazon Prime, and other platforms right now with more to come. Over a 100+ commercial projects under our belts. And then there are the short films and music videos. We stay busy.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well with me I’m a theme park fanatic so definitely Six Flags would definitely be a spot I would go. There’s also this amazing roller-coaster just built in Fayetteville Ga called Aire Force One that is crazy awesome at Fun Spot America. I like to go to Enzo Steakhouse at Trilith best steaks in the Atlanta area, sorry Ruth’s Kris. Holman in Finch has the best burgers in the city. I dont hang out at clubs or bars, my house is my favorite hangout lol.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Tavares Wilson – my life would be so different, and not in a good way, had I not met him. He’s not just a business partner, he’s one of my best friends. He gave me shot in this business and pushes creatively to the max. We have been thru some amazing highs and frustrating lows, but we have always stayed a unit regardless of who have come and gone.

Yvonne Lopez- my mother and the strongest person I know! My mother has an incredible story and is a constant inspiration to me. My mom takes risks and she somehow always come out on top. My mom is a boss and move like one always.

Erica Sutherland- my fiance of 8 years. A creative force and a fantastic actress. Above all that has been supportive thru the good and bad times. I would not have been able to continue doing what I do without her.

Website: 480films.net

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Youtube: https://youtube.com/@480tv2