Today we’d like to introduce you to Ethan Rodarte.
Hi Ethan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
The seeds of CulminationOfEverything (COE) were planted when I was in high school as I developed a love for both video editing and for music. I became passionate about video editing through the digital media and audio/video production classes I took, and around the same time, I became really interested in and influenced by hip hop/rap music that my friends would put me on to. Shortly after I became a film major at The University of Texas at Austin, I created COE and started making music videos with one of my friends that makes music as well, as a way of merging my two passions. Not long after I began making music videos with a few local artists here in Austin, such as True Celo and Kinö Marquel, I decided that I wanted to expand on the type of videos and projects I produced for COE. I had made a music video each month for January, February, and March, but in April, I wanted to take on some other projects that might challenge me further and build on the identity of COE. I got the chance to work with Hook’d Magazine as the videographer for their latest fashion show in which they showcased clothing made by some of the talented designers behind Hook’d. Additionally, I spent a lot of April planning the first Planet Nowhere Music Fest with two friends, Marcelo Cisneros, and Uriel Gavito, in which we hosted a few talented hip-hop acts as well as some amazing local vendors. CulminationOfEverything is an ever-growing brand in which I hope to use to help grow and build the hip-hop scene here, as well as other forms of art and small businesses in Austin.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
While the journey I have been on with CulminationOfEverything was been very enriching and fulfilling, there have also been a few challenges and restraints along the way. As I am a full-time student with essentially no budget, I have done a few music videos entirely shot on iPhone with no other equipment than a small RGB light. Additionally, for the first couple of music videos, aside from working with the artist, I made them entirely by myself, which has been slightly overwhelming to balance with schoolwork. Although since then, I have been able to make more connections with people in the Austin community to collaborate with, such as Hook’d Magazine and Panoptic Pictures, which is a production company that helped produce and shoot the Magnetic Attraction music video for Kinö Marquel. I am always open to collaborating and working with others in the Austin community, so if the mission of CulminationOfEverything is something that intrigues you, feel free to message or email me!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
While CulminationOfEverything was created and started off as a brand for creating music videos, it has started to grow into something that does much more than that. COE is an ambitious, multi-faceted brand that revolves around promoting music and art of all forms. Whether it be through music videos, fashion shows, or local music festivals, COE is just in its early stages and will continue to expand and grow in new and interesting ways that give back and contribute to the community of Austin.
Alright, so before we go, can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If you are interested in having a music video made or are interested in collaborating on a project, you can reach me by emailing me or messaging me through Instagram.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culminationofeverything/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CulminationOfEverything
Image Credits
Isaiah Trevino
