Creator Spotlight: Musician and Filmmaker Thiago Rios

We're back for the final edition of our Creator Spotlight series for 2024, where we shine a light on working creative professionals and give them a chance to share part of their story, their learnings, their favorite tools, and more. This month, we're talking to Thiago Rios, a musician and filmmaker who talks to us about his career and the way in which his multiple skill sets inform each other and help both be better.

If you met a stranger at the airport and they asked what you do, how would you describe yourself to them?

 I’m a professional musician and filmmaker with a diverse background. I’ve toured internationally as a performer, recorded soundtracks for anime like Dr. Stone (Netflix) and Kawagoe Boys Sing (Universal Music), and built my skills in creating engaging visual content. Currently, I’m the Director of Photography at Dynamic Color Studios in Florida, overseeing most of the projects.

Talk to us about the beginnings of your career and how you got started.

My career began at a very young age—I started when I was 10 and became a professional drummer when I was just 15 years old. I was one of the first drummers to create a YouTube channel in Brazil in 2008 and that is how I started to study more about cameras, angles and that kind of stuff. I had incredible opportunities to perform, which helped me develop discipline and connect with audiences. These experiences laid the foundation for everything I’ve achieved since then and gave me the confidence to pursue music professionally on a larger scale. I can see those experiences result in my filmmaker career.

Can you tell us about your earliest influences as well as the people that inspire you today?

It's incredible how sometimes we don't realize the influence of those closest to us. The people who most influenced me at the beginning of my career were the musicians I had close to me. Through the examples seen in them, I began to create my own identity and the way I chose my equipment, and how I behaved in the music studios, recordings, shows, classes, etc.

Can you talk about the relationship between music and filmmaking and how that has influenced your career?

For me, music and filmmaking have always gone hand in hand. Music is all about storytelling and creating emotion, which is exactly what filmmaking does. When I moved into filmmaking, it felt natural to combine those two worlds. I think about how sound and visuals work as a team and how a great soundtrack or the right sound design can transform a scene. Whether working on a music video or a social media project, I’m always thinking about how the sound and visuals can connect to tell a better story. That mix of the two has shaped a lot of what I do and keeps me excited about creating new things.

What do you consider to be your signature style?

The way I edit videos is totally unique to my style. I always start with the soundtrack, editing the music first. For me, the music is what breathes life into the visuals. Once the track is locked in, I build the video around it. You’ll notice it in my work: quick cuts, bold effects, and everything perfectly synced to the beat. It’s all about making the visuals and the music feel like dancing together. It's my signature!

How has technology affected your career? Does anything in particular excite you about where technology's going right now?

I've never had a problem using technology to my advantage. For example, I’ve always used hybrid kits in my drum set, combining acoustic and electronic. With video, I follow the same path. I follow everything released, but I don’t always see the need to add it to my workflow.

Can you tell us about how you utilize Glyph products in your workflow?

Glyph products are a game-changer in my workflow. Their drives are super reliable, which is huge for someone like me who works with large video and audio files daily. I use them for everything from storing raw footage to backing up final edits.

Thiago with the Glyph Blackbox Pro RAID at his workstation

Can you tell us about a time having a data storage strategy prevented you from losing important work?

Definitely! One time, I was working on a major video project with tight deadlines, and my external hard drive suddenly failed. Luckily, I always keep a backup system in place, so my work was already stored in the cloud and on a secondary drive. I was able to quickly recover everything without losing a single file, which saved the project. That experience made me double down on having a solid data storage strategy, because it’s not just about convenience, it’s about protecting your hard work.

Can you touch on some of your more recent career highlights?  What were some of the most gratifying moments of your career?

Recently, one of the biggest highlights of my career was being invited to record the soundtrack for the anime Dr. Stone. Seeing it released on platforms like Netflix Japan and after worldwide was surreal, it felt like my work had reached a global audience. Another standout was releasing my first solo album, Make Your Identity. Knowing it’s out there on all digital platforms and hearing how it resonates with people has been so rewarding.

On the filmmaking side, directing and shooting professional projects for businesses and creating unique music videos have been incredibly gratifying. It’s amazing to see my skills in music and filmmaking come together to tell stories in powerful ways. Every time I see my work helping someone’s vision come to life, it’s a reminder of why I do this.

If you could go back in time and give your younger self advice when you were first starting out your career, what would you say?

To trust the process and not rush things. I’d say, 'Stay curious, experiment, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes, that’s where the real growth happens.' I’d also remind myself to focus on building strong relationships in the industry because those connections can open doors you’d never expect. And most importantly, I’d say, 'Keep your passion at the center of everything you do, because that’s what will set you apart.’ Believe in yourself more, spending more time doing than studying.

What are some of your challenges as a filmmaker/musician?

One of my biggest challenges as a filmmaker and musician is staying consistent. Creativity comes in waves but I’ve learned that consistency isn’t about always being perfect, It’s a challenge, but it’s also what pushes me to grow.

What are the three ‘must haves’ for every filmmaker/musician?

Passion. Whether you’re making films or music, you need that drive to create and push through challenges.

Second, a solid understanding of your tools. As a filmmaker or musician, knowing your gear, whether it’s your camera, editing software, instruments, or recording setup, is key to bringing your ideas to life. You don’t need the most expensive equipment, but you do need to know how to maximize what you’ve got.

Third, adaptability. Things rarely go as planned in this industry, so being able to think on your feet and find creative solutions is a must. Whether it’s adjusting to last-minute changes or finding inspiration in unexpected places, flexibility makes all the difference.

You can connect with Thiago via Instagram or thiagorios.com