Vince Rocca is a true entrepreneur, the latch key kid of a lower middle
class salesman and an insurance agent, he mastered the art of risk
taking and risk management at an early age.
At 14 he was making upwards of $1000 a weekend spinning records at
house parties. Bored with school and fat with cash, he dropped out of
the ninth grade. At 16, realizing house parties wasn't a career, he got
a job as a retail stock clerk, and within 2 years he was managing the
company's third largest store and bought an investment home. At 21 he
cashed out of his home to open his own retail store. With a thriving
retail business, it was time to pursue his passion for filmmaking. He
saved some profits and started a video production company with his
friend and co-producer, Michael Hutchinson.
Business wasn't always successful. In fact, there was a point when the
video company was near bankrupt. But thanks to swift action and a lucky
phone call, the company went from $700 in the hole, to selling over
$125,000 in less then 5 days. The profits from this sale would become
the seed money for _Kisses and Caroms (2004)_.
Since he was a dropout, film school was not an option, but thanks to a
video camera purchased on credit when he was 16 and the advancements in
computer technology, he started editing little projects. Slowly buying
better equipment and mastering new techniques, he became a self-taught
editor.
He began reading every film book he could get his hands on, and
listening to Laser Disc and DVD commentaries. Then he received a
brochure for the Dov S-S Simens film school claiming to teach the nuts
and bolts of film making in two days. He might have tossed it, but the
brochure listed Quentin Tarantino, Guy Ritchie and Chris Nolan, as some
of its alumni. If they could do it, why not him?
After attending this film boot camp, he hammered out a 92 page script,
and Kisses and Caroms (2004) was born.
He currently resides in Southern California with his childhood
sweetheart Deanna. They have been happily married for over 5 years, and
together for over 15 years. They have no children but many animals,
some which can be seen throughout the movie.
