Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Rodriguez (Ted Cadillac).
Hi Max, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Pittsburgh and started making videos when I was in 6th grade (2001) for a homework assignment in history class. It wasn’t until I was in high school on the soccer team when my sister’s boyfriend showed me how to edit the highlight tapes that I really fell in love with editing. The kids nowadays won’t understand camcorders, tape decks, firewires, and the pains of early 2000’s filmmaking. Actually, maybe they will.
I attended Ohio University and in my junior year I connected with some of my core friends in Leipzig, Germany where we filmed documentaries over the span of a couple months. This group ultimately formed CreMedia, a full service web and video company that we operated while in school. We sure weren’t learning about new media in class so we took it upon ourselves. Our first big break in CreMedia came during 8Fest (The Numbers Fest) when we shot a video for Machine Gun Kelly, that ultimately got the attention of Fly Union which launched myself into the world of vlogging. When I graduated, I created a tour vlog for them on the BET Music Matters Tour starring Kendrick Lamar.
After that my good friends from Bill and Frank Paladino from Pittsburgh recommended my services to Juicy J – they were the directors of Wiz Khalifa’s “Daytoday” series. I met him out in Los Angeles on the set of “Show Out” and not even a day later I was filming for him on BET 106 & Park. From that point in 2013 up until 2017, I worked for Juicy J filming and editing pretty much every single moment of his life and making a vlog series.
The thing about documenting someone’s life, is that you really don’t live your own life. So I left that behind, but obviously that opened an incredible amount of professional opportunities for me moving forward, far too many to list out here without causing y’all to pass out at your desks. Currently, I full time freelance as a producer and run my own “show” called TedTV where I conduct interviews and do comedic news stories.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think anyone ever has a smooth road unless they are a trust fund baby. I like to think of my career as a sine wave. You’re never on top very long, and your never on the bottom very long either. But when your living it, it’s hard to see past where you are on the wave. I’ve been on top and also broke more times than I can count. Currently, I’m navigating the recent loss of my best friend. My number one priority for my entire life has been my career, and now it isn’t. It’s difficult to explain unless you have been through it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I make videos and I document. I don’t make “content,” I’m not a creator, I’m not an influencer. I’ve made everything from terrible historical reenactments to music videos you’ve seen on TV. I think what people would say about my videos is that they are polished and clean. I treat everything like a fly on the wall and I don’t use alot of effects. I never really started to insert my actual self until I started my TedTV network, which is basically my outlet just to do whatever dumb idea I have. Oddly enough, it’s been what people most recognize me for and which has brought me the most success.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can work with me just by shooting me a DM to @tedcadillac on instagram to get the conversation started. If you want to support me, just watch my videos and share them with a friend.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cargocollective.com/tedcadillac
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/tedcadillac
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TedTVNews
