John Rhode is a renowned Cinematographer/Director based in Los Angeles, recognized for his swift and artistic approach to filmmaking. He joined the International Cinematographer's Guild in the 1990s, subsequently collaborating with esteemed DPs such as Lazlo Kovacs, ASC, Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC, and John Seale, ASC, on notable projects like Ghosts of Mississippi (1995),The American President (1996),City of Angels (1997),and Perfect Storm (2000). This early exposure propelled Rhode from additional operator to "A" operator and eventually 2nd Unit DP.
Throughout his career, Rhode has shot over 30 independent films, featuring talented actors such as Faye Dunaway, William Sanderson, John Heard, and Debbie Mazar. He transitioned to television, working on the camera departments of Night Stalker (2006),The Hollow Men (2008),Heroes (2007-2009),as well as pioneering the webisode and webisode debuts of Prisonbreak (2006),Vanished (2007),Mr. Wrong (2008),and the film festival-winning TurboDating (2009-2012),created by acclaimed writer Terry Rossio.
Rhode's television work led to his involvement in award-winning documentaries, including Partners of the Heart and Prince of Slaves for Spark Media/American Experience, and Bullied (2010) and Erasing Hate (2011) for Bill Brummel Productions, both funded by the Morris Dees' Southern Poverty Law Center. His cinematography has garnered numerous first prizes in film festivals, Tellies, and Cine-Eagles, with Variety praising his work as "beautifully photographed" and featuring in articles published by the International Cinematographer Guild magazine.
Rhode expanded into directing, helming music videos and commercials, including the notorious short My Dinner With Ovitz, a satire that skewered Michael Ovitz. The project created a sensation in Hollywood production circles, with Ron Meyer, president of Universal Pictures, and David Geffen remarking, "it was brilliant." Variety Magazine reviewed it as "a gonzo short – pic is the most buzzed-about underground project since Trey Parker and Matt Stone's 'The Spirit of Christmas."
Rhode later accepted directing offers for motion pictures, including the family and adventure films Seeker & Fetch (2011),The Stray (2012),and Trooper and the Legend of the Golden Key (2012),as well as numerous shorts and commercials. He continues to work in features, television, webisodes, documentaries, and commercials, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and accomplished filmmaker.
