Whether you're a small business or multi-franchise corporation, we have all the tools in the creative box to solve your digital issues; from web design, product photography, video production, graphic design, podcasting, blogging and even running your social media campaigns or pages!
Our core philosophy is as we teach the next generation of artists how to thrive in the digital age, our brand identity and leverage against traditional media and entertainment outlets will grow when those we taught rise through the ranks of their chosen fields.
Focusing on Film/Acting classes first, Rising Tides will eventually expand to classes for all art forms traditional and digital.
Through monthly networking events and an aggressive social media push to get local arts communities working better together, we believe that we can build a self-sustaining ecosystem to help push each other's brands, online content and social media presence.
Whether you're a filmmaker, an actor, photographer, musician, digital artist, glass blower or anyone that calls themselves an artist; we want to help you do what all artists live for, creation.
AARON DAVID ROBERTS
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Aaron has been working in the film industry since his pre-teen years as a PA/Grip on his father's award winning commercial production sets. Since then, Aaron has worked with award winning and experienced Hollywood talent in productions like Chartered (2019), and The Cast Members (2017), both of which have small cult like fan followings on Facebook.
Aaron has since spun some of his storytelling talent into the corporate and business world. After finding success working with a local award winning ad agency as an independent contractor, Aaron jumped over to help start the Digital Hospitality agency with one of his clients, Cali BBQ.Media, to revolutionize the way businesses interact with their customers through consistent, original, audio, video and written content.With the team Aaron has assembled at Rising Tides Creative
(formerly Blue Vision Entertainment), he plans to pave a new way for independent artistic success that changes the relationships artists have with businesses, the entertainment industry and their own local art communities.
GEORGE JAC
VICE PRESIDENT
George Jac is an American-born Film Actor & Producer. He proudly represents a unique blend of ethnicities, as his mother is Filipino and his father is of Serbian descent.
George is an alumnus of San Diego State University, graduating in 2012, where he majored in public administration and minored in psychology. His deep understanding of psychology inspired his desire to become an actor, and his public administration major laid the groundwork for his interest in becoming a producer.
George has since worked tirelessly to develop his creative acting muscles and his proficiency as a producer. He's appeared in multiple national commercials- including those of high-ranking Fortune 500 companies. George is also a two-time nominated best actor, having received best actor nominations for both a feature film and a short. Coincidentally the films in which he has received best actor nominations, he also produced. His accomplishments, however, are not limited to his on camera work, but also behind the camera, as a savvy producer.
George is incredibly excited to be apart of the Rising Tides team and helping the organization reach it's fullest potential.
HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT
Zach is an experienced development exec with a broad slate of entertainment projects including a political exposé executive produced by Mark Ruffalo, a comedy feature starring Emmy-Winner Jonathan Banks, a BET+ psychological horror film, and a neo-western starring Shameik Moore. Zach has produced marketing content with Dick Clark Productions, Warner Bros, Samuel Goldwyn, FilmRise, and more.
KAYLA SCHAFFROTH
HEAD OF EDUCATION
Kayla Schaffroth, a San Diego native, received her Bachelor of the Fine Arts in Musical Theatre at Central Washington University.
Kayla has filmed numerous commercials and multiple award nominated feature films. She recently won "Best Actress" at KPBS's GI Film Awards. She has been dancing since she was three and trained in the styles of ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, and ballroom. She performs professionally in regional theatres across the country and can be seen as a featured performer at the world-famous San Diego Zoo and Hotel Del Coronado. In addition, she choreographs for professional theatres in the San Diego area, as well as competition dance.
When she is not on stage or on screen, she loves being in the classroom and sharing her experience and passion with her students. She looks forward to making Rising Tides Education events a great experience for everyone who attends.
ANDREW BARRACK
HEAD OF MUSIC / CREATIVE LEAD
Andrew Barrack developed a passion for all things music at a young age and has since been songwriting and performing for 15+ years, with his most recent album being released in 2020 titled In Seasons. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Industry in 2015 at The University of Southern California, he moved back to his hometown of San Diego and was presented with an opportunity to join the film industry.
He quickly began working on a wide variety of award-winning films and documentaries including “Making Fun: The Story of Funko”, which was awarded "Best Documentary" at the San Diego Film Awards in 2018 and streamed exclusively on Netflix. This was one of many projects that gave him the skillsets to expand his work into professional partnerships with beverage companies, advertising agencies, non-profit organizations, touring musicians, record labels, and music venues. Additionally, he has brought these two industries together as he’s now composed music for a number of documentaries and ad campaign videos.
Andrew is one of the many passionate people we have on our team that brings a different perspective and a world of knowledge on and off set!
CREATIVE LEAD & OPERATIONS
Tony Engaldo is a ten year US Navy veteran turned cinematographer. After serving in the Navy, he graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Television Film and New Media.
Tony has years of experience working on short films, television shows as well as covering events and creating content for social media. He is well versed in all aspects of production from pre-production planning, through delivering final edits.
BRANDON J. WORLEY
VIDEO PRODUCTION LEAD
Brandon is a Swiss army knife when it comes to video production. Primarily working as a Director of Photography, Brandon has years of experience working on corporate and commercial sets along with scripted and reality TV shows.
With a well rounded knowledge of gripping & lighting, sound, camera and post-production, Brandon will help ensure that your video content comes out looking better than you imagined.
ROMAN VALENZUELA
CLIENT RELATIONS
Roman Valenzuela is a California native with a background in Communications. This has allowed him to take on multiple official roles, over the course of his professional career. With a career spanning experience in the cities of San Francisco, New York City and now San Diego, he is adept in executing what is needed in order to attain the desired goals set for the company and himself. Producer, Communications Coordinator and Operations Specialist are just some of the titles he has held in his decade and a half career span. Having worked in the Hospitality Industry for an extensive amount of time as well, he has a knack for being able to make things come to fruition with the resources that are given him and created by him.
With the belief that successful communication is key in all endeavors, Roman excels at making sure that every facet, of any given project, always finds its proper place, voice and audience. This is one of the many reasons why he has chosen to be a part of the Rising Tides Creative family. With his viewpoints falling in line with the company culture at RTC, he truly believes that a rising tide, indeed, lifts all boats.
“In the face of such hopelessness as our eventual, unavoidable death, there is little sense in not at least trying to accomplish all of your wildest dreams.” - Kevin Smith
