Biographie
In the lively local theatre scene of his hometown Edmonton, Alberta, Rico Espinoza embarked on his artistic journey in 2011, earning the moniker "Rico The Bard." Starting as an improvisational musician, he soon ascended to the role of Music Director and worked with different production companies to create unique and captivating shows. Rico's journey in the arts has been marked by his versatility and passion for creating engaging experiences for audiences.
In 2016, Rico gambled on his creative prowess by writing, producing, and directing the stage play "Feather Fall," under his own production company, Campfire Tales Productions. The play received a warm reception and critical acclaim at the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, earning a 5-star rating from Global News. Rico felt privileged to share his work and yearned to create more.
Driven by his passion for storytelling, Rico embarked on a journey to refine his craft through formal education across different disciplines. In 2016, he enrolled in MacEwan University's Music Composition Program. Later, in 2019, Rico decided to pursue a deeper understanding of the filmmaking process, propelling him to relocate to British Columbia where he seized the opportunity to join the prestigious Film Production Program at the renowned Vancouver Film School, an achievement made possible by a scholarship awarded to him by his longtime inspiration, acclaimed Hollywood Director Kevin Smith. Rico's triumph as the sole Canadian recipient of the Top Prize, surpassing 900 applicants, stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication and exceptional talent.
In 2021, Rico's directorial talents were showcased in his student fantasy film, "Darkvision," which received numerous awards, including Best Sci-Fi Film from the Hispanic Film Festival, an Award of Excellence from the Canada Shorts Film Festival, and Best Student Film at the White Unicorn International Film Festival. Rico's versatility in the industry was further demonstrated through his collaborative efforts on "Intensive Purposes," a captivating sci-fi indie-film directed and produced by Armando Singh, where he served as the Assistant Director and Production Designer. Currently in post-production, "Intensive Purposes" is expected to release in 2023.
Rico's accomplishments continued as he ventured into creating more grounded films. Among them, "Fitting In," a poignant drama written and produced for the 2021 "Run N Gun 48-hour film festival" in June, stood out. Collaborating with "Darkvision" cast-member and first-time director Sidney Quesnelle, the film left a lasting impact and garnered esteemed recognition, including Best Drama at the AltFF Alternative Film Festival and Best Short Drama at the Europe Film Festival. Rico's passion for storytelling continued that same year with his next directorial short film, "Sug-Arrr Crunch." A captivating heartfelt drama eagerly awaiting its festival debut.
Rico, currently employed as a Production Coordinator at Scanline VFX, has been actively involved in the creation of visually stunning effects for various projects. In his previous position as a visual effects production assistant, Rico contributed to the highly anticipated film "The Flash," directed by Andy Muschietti, scheduled for release in June 2023. Continuing his journey at Scanline VFX, Rico is presently working as a Visual Effects Production Coordinator for the upcoming Japanese television series "Yu Yu Hakusho," set to be released in 2023.
Rico Espinoza's unwavering dedication, talent, and relentless pursuit to create fueled by his passion for storytelling positions him as a promising filmmaker. As his heart remains on the film set, Rico currently channels his creativity into writing scripts with aspirations to direct them in the near future.
While acknowledging his achievements, Rico remains humble and grateful for the opportunities he has been given, the privilege of sharing his vision, and the blessing of collaborating with incredibly talented artists over the years.
