Photography by Margaret Licarione

“It all starts with communication, and then from there, we can move forward to whatever our clients desire,” says Robert Rodriguez, owner of R11 Studios. 

Born in Eagle Pass, Texas, Rodriguez gives his parents credit for his entrepreneurial spirit.

“They have owned a fried chicken restaurant for 26 years called Rodee’s Country Fried Chicken,” he says, “and I think owning a business runs in my blood.”

This motivated him “to create my own business based on what I love to do.”

Born with a love for music and the art of mixing music, Rodriguez remembers connecting two stereos to each other and creating volume changes since the music was based on tape. 

At age 14, he had good fortune. His friend had a music TV show once a week on a local network that was owned by his uncle. 

“He invited me to help out on Tejano TV,” Rodriguez says. “This is where I obtained the experience of operating cameras, editing videos and brainstorming for skits and other types of videos. I then advanced to operate switchers, video players and audio mixers during live broadcasts, as well as filming and editing commercials.”

He realized that this was his calling, and a star was born.

Throughout Rodriguez’s high school years, he created several videos on his own. His devotion led him to enroll in Media Tech, where he refined his knowledge. In 2001, he attended the University of Texas at San Antonio to pursue a degree in communications. 

Graduating with a bachelor’s in communications in 2005, “I knew that I wanted to work in the media industry, but it was very tough to get a job.” 

Moving back to Eagle Pass, with his amazing talent and another dose of luck, Eagle Pass ISD turned the high school into two separate high schools. A media technology teaching position was open at one of the high schools. Enter Rodriguez. 

“I teach my students all the aspects of TV broadcasting and film,” he says. “Also, every year, we have a short film festival for students.”

For the past three years, Rodriguez, along with two other teachers, organizes this to stimulate the students’ creativity. Not only do both high schools participate, but any student from the state of Texas has been granted the honor to do so. 

The Frontera Film Festival was formed, and it encourages students to follow their dreams, just as Rodriguez did.

The dream – R11 Studios – was created in January 2011. 

“Throughout my teaching career, I decided that I was going to invest in opening my own business and gear towards the cities where the majority of my students continue their education,” Rodriguez says. “As a teacher in Eagle Pass, and having a business in three cities (the other two are San Antonio and Austin), I wanted to help my students. By providing internships, I wanted to open one more door for anyone pursuing a career in this field.” 

Working on his master’s degree, as well, this determined man says, “it is very hard, but the passion I have for this art and business is what keeps me running in order to strive to reach the goals that I have for R11 Studios.”

Examining what Rodriguez has accomplished thus far, we can only imagine that his goals are endless. 

He explains that R11 Studios produces all types of videos. “We mix our clients’ ideas and our suggestions to create the project,” he says.

The client list is eclectic. Having created promotional videos for basketball trainers, TV advertisements for concerts organized by the Arts Council of Eagle Pass and ads for local restaurants, R11 does not stop there.

“We have created several videos for Rafter C Productions & Bucking Bulls, which is a rodeo company that holds rodeos in several cities,” Rodriguez says. “For Rafter C, we have recorded rodeos and produced promotional videos for the company. We also produced commercials to advertise their rodeos.” 

These productions have played in several cities in Texas, and are launched online through social media networks. “Internet and social media sites are very important tools that we use in order to get several views for our videos,” Rodriguez says.

R11 Studios will work with local businesses, companies, lawyers, doctors, car dealerships and “anybody from any profession to produce TV commercials, promotional videos, corporate videos, training videos and record events. We also love to work with musicians, producing music videos and electronic press kits.”

In April, Rodriguez added what is known as The Chill Den (TCD). “I wanted to create an opportunity for exposure to talented individuals or music groups,” he says. “We want to bring independent and successful artists together.” 

Doing all the work behind the scenes, R11 Studios then edits and uploads these segments to TCD’s website. Wanting TCD to serve as a base for fans and upcoming artists, Rodriguez emphasizes the importance of actually seeing how singers, musicians and bands make many sacrifices to get where they are. 

“Many videos are filmed in California,” he says. “Texas is a beautiful state with numerous talented musicians. It is time that we start involving more of Texas with music.”

Besides the creative genius of R11 Studios, becoming a client has an added bonus: networking. 

“For example, if one of my movie scripts requires a scene to take place in a restaurant, instead of scouting for locations, I will look who I have on my client list and go with them,” Rodriguez says. 

The same network exists with musicians and TCD. Now, this is real marketing at its best.

Cross marketing with a united network helps all businesses involved. “With our high unemployment rate, I would like to be a business that contributes to job growth in the state of Texas,” Rodriguez says. 

Rodriguez is just beginning to venture out into Austin and San Antonio. His never-ending ideas and creative talents are just what Texas needs.

When asked where R11 Studios will be in five years, Rodriguez says, “I see our studio having produced two feature films, several short films and commercials for companies, as well as for independent businesses. On TCD side, I see us having produced several music videos, interviews and electronic press kits for independent artists, as well as the ‘stars.’” 

But that’s not all Rodriguez envisions. He wants to establish his numerous clients and connections with artists who will help the media, film and music industries grow in the Lone Star State.

“I also see R11 Studios giving back to the communities by offering scholarships to high school graduates and growing internship programs for college students planning to pursue a career in the media and film industries,” he says. “If Hollywood can do it in California, then I believe R11 Studios can do it in Texas. That is the revolution that I want to create in the filmmaking industry.” 

With this dynamic and multi-talented man, it is sure to be a rewarding revolution for everyone. Austinites welcome R11 Studios with open arms. The Capitol City is likely to become a new location for more stars in the near future.

For more information on Robert Rodriguez and R11 Studios, call 830-352-4454, visit www.r11studios.com or send an email to robert@r11studios.com or robrodriguez11@gmail.com. You may also look for R11 Studios on Facebook or follow @R11_Studios on Twitter.