We were fortunate enough to sitdown with the creator of “The Black Hood”, TSE7s own Rocko Mannington to break down who and what he is bringing to the film industry.

Who is Rocko Mannington?

Man. That’s a loaded question. Who is Rocko Mannington? Hmmmm….. Creative. Podcaster. Producer. Gamer. Clothing designer. Writer. Director. Sports fanatic. And most importantly. Father.

What is TSE7?

TSE7 is my production company that I’ve started. I started taking courses online at NYU in film and tv development last year and that inspired me to go for it and start my own thing. I really wanna be able to create dope shit on a budget that’s what it’s about. Finding the best way creatively to tell stories.

What is Reflex Studios?

Reflex Studios is a content division within the Reflex family. The goal is to develop original films and tv shows as well as documentaries.

What got you into film and directing?

I think I’ve always had a passion for movies, I’m pretty sure that comes from my grandma, we would always watch movies together for hours, all different types of movies. She’s the reason I saw Star Wars for the first time. But I def consider myself a movie/tv buff I suppose, and I’ve always wanted make my own version of things that I watch, I mean who doesn’t do that? I have a vivid imagination so I’ll always imagine how I would film a certain show that I’ve watched from start to finish. Then I started writing my own tv shows and movies and decided that I don’t want anyone else to create my vision. I gotta leave that into my own hands for better or for worse and the only way to do that is to direct.

Who are some of your film inspirations?

Damn. I have a lot but I’ll just throw some random ones that come to mind, Pulp Fiction is probably the best movie I’ve ever scene. I just remember how I felt when I saw it and it was so different than anything I’d seen up until that point so that’s always a huge influence in how I wanna tell stories. Star Wars Ep 3 Revenge of the Sith, The Professional is one of my favorites of all time too. Batman V Superman is the greatest superhero movie ever. Well at least it’s top 5. Debate your moms. Anything MCU of course is obviously a heavy influence. Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, The Americans those are some of my favorite tv shows of all time so I take inspiration from those also in different ways.

What is The Black Hood?

The Black Hood is an original superhero/vigilante i created. I’m obsessed with superheros. What kid you know doesn’t create his own superhero?! I love Batman. Batman is my favorite superhero. I love the grounded nature of the Christopher Nolan Batman movies, so when I was putting this character together I wanted to try and make it as grounded as I can and make a superhero story that doesn’t feel like your typical superhero or vigilante. I like those low budget hood shows like Money and Violence, so this will have that feel to it.

Who Is the Black Hood?

The Black Hood is played by the multitalented Pretty Boi Green and he plays the character of Damian James, who is a former top boxer who ends up going to jail which essentially ends his career. He comes home to a his brother being murder and strange circumstances surrounding his brothers murder. He essentially is someone that is not out to be any type of hero whatsoever, but could end up being exactly what his city needs. We’ll see.

BTS:

What inspired the character design?

I take some inspiration from of course Batman but I really really was into the show Arrow on the CW and a lot of the character design and even some of the story is heavily influenced by some of the characters of that show. Also the marvel Netflix shows specifically Daredevil and The Punisher I loved those series and I definitely take some inspiration for what I’m putting together from each of those series. They were so dark and gritty and small scaled but they were done really well.

Without giving away too much what is this series about?

This series is about revenge and the just the psychological toll that takes on you. I’m also very interested in the psychological aspect of superheroes and villains and why they become those characters.

What does this project mean to you?

At the beginning I was really doing this as portfolio project for my film class and it just continued to morph into something that has become a passion project for me and the first under the TSE7 banner so needless to say this is a project that I hold near and dear. It’s crazy to even see when I think this started from idea to concept art to an actual live project, and I’m proud of myself and everyone that’s involved with this project.

What other projects are you working on?

My mind is always working and always creating, right now I’m fully focused on bringing finishing the Black Hood but after that im gonna gear up to film Top Of The Hill which will be a about a underground boxing league and I’m writing another series called The Agency about hitmen for hire who get out of the game, so those are really whats next for me. But I am a person who changes his mind constantly so we’ll see.

Check out The Black Hood Part 1: