Biography

Alaric S. Rocha has been making films since 1999 where he first learned the craft from Club Panico in London an organization run by some of the crew members of Monty Python. His work has been screened at many film festivals including the Chicago International Film Festival, the Illinois International Film Festival, the San Francisco Frozen Film Festival, the Seattle True Independent Film Festival, as well as Internationally at Sitges, Spain, Sao Paulo, Brazil and more.  Alaric earned his MFA in digital cinema from DePaul University in 2014 and a BM from Lawrence University in 2002.   His musical background has a huge influence on his style of filmmaking and subject matter.

 

Alaric is a currently instructor at the Los Angeles Film School in Los Angeles, CA where he lives and works.  He has also taught at DePaul University in Chicago, Tecnológico de Monterrey in Atizapán de Zaragoza, Mexico and the school of the Art Institute of Chicago.  Before teaching at the University level Alaric taught filmmaking to children at various organizations around Chicago and the mid-west. Alaric’s area of research and expertise are writing/directing, Mexican cinema, film through psychology, and teaching film to children.

 

Other areas of interest include, culinary arts, camping, Argentine tango, Lindy-hop, and viola performance.

Education

M.F.A            DePaul University, Chicago, IL, Grad 2014

                      Digital Cinema

 

B.M.              Lawrence University, Appleton, WI, 2002

                      Music Composition

                      Magna Cum Laude in Independent Study

 

Certificate     Panico Film Club Graduate (Monty Python), London, England, 2001

Teaching Experience

  • Los Angeles Film School, Los Angeles, CA                                                 2016 – Present

    • Instructor, courses taught:

      • Directing

      • Production

      • Cinematography I

 

  • Tecnológico De Monterrey, Estado de México, México                             2014 – 2015

    • Guest Instructor, course taught:

      • Media narrative design & production

    • Advise and mentor students

    • Organize a special project

    • Develop programming for student cinema club

 

  • DePaul University, Chicago, IL                                                                       2012 – 2014

    • Adjunct Professor, courses taught:

      • Editing

      • Screenwriting

      • Philosophy through film

      • Photography

      • Visual design

      • Production

 

  • City of Evanston, IL                                                                                           2009 – 2014

    • Lead Instructor for youth media

    • Developed program for children 6-12

    • Supervise other media instructors

 

  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL                                        2011

    • Guest Instructor, course taught:

      • Art and the human development

 

  • Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago IL                                                                       2011 – 2013

    • Youth media instructor, courses taught:

      • Editing

      • Production

      • Cinematography

 

  • Richland Community College, Decatur, IL                                                      2003

    • Guest Instructor, course taught:

      • Intro to filmmaking

Production experience

  • 38+  DP credits on short films and music videos

 

  • 31+ AC/OP credits on short films, TV and music videos

 

  • 31+ Editor credits on short films and music videos

 

  • 10+ Grip credits on short films and music videos

 

  • Self Employed                                                                                                      1999 – 2016

    • Corporate videographer/editor                                                

 

  • ABSA Productions, Chicago, IL                                                                           2008

    • Wedding & corporate

    • Videographer/editor

 

  • Prairie Production Group, Champaign, IL                                                         2004 – 2007

    • Commercial and corporate

    • Videographer/editor

    • Office management

 

  • WAND TV, Decatur, IL                                                                                        2002 – 2004

    • Local news videographer

    • Live truck operator

    • On air film critic

Awards & honors

  • 2016 Best Homage, Silver Scream film festival: Una mujer sin precio (1961)

  • 2015 3rd place, Elgin film festival: Una mujer sin precio (1961)

  • 2015  Best Short runner up, 31st Chicago Latino Film Festival: Una mujer sin precio (1961) 

  • 2015  Best Director, Lighthouse International Film Festival: Una mujer sin precio (1961) 

  • 2014  Visionary Director Award, DePaul University                                          

  • 2014  Best Picture and Director, DePaul Premiere Film Festival: Una mujer sin precio (1961)

  • 2012 - 2014 DePaul University Bluelight grant recipient

  • 2011  Golden Hugo runner up, 47th Chicago international film festival: Winter

  • 2011  Open Studio Project Gallery opening, Video art & Cinema Therapy   

  • 2009  Best cinematography, FP/PHX Beat the Clock: The Line Up                 

  • 2008  Auidence choice award, Chicago REEL Shorts: Near Miss

  • 2006  Best Documentary, Twin Cities Black Film Festival                               

  • 2002  1st Place, NEAFCS National Award: Early Childhood Training Video     

  • 1999  Lawrence University Presidential Scholarship                                         

  • 1997  Eagle Scout