As I perched on the corner of the stage alongside Rudy Mancuso, the echo of his recent conversation with students at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music lingered in the air as we settled in to speak. Observing his rhythmic tapping on the wooden floor, I found myself witnessing firsthand Mancuso’s rare neurological condition, synesthesia, which alters his perception of sound. Little did I realize at that moment that this condition would become the backdrop to our conversation, filling the gaps of silence like ambient elevator music, a realization I grasped more profoundly after watching his debut film project, MÚSICA.
In the bustling realm of storytelling, there are few voices as distinct and resonant as that of Rudy Mancuso, whose journey began in content creation. From his humble beginnings on social media platforms like Vine to his upcoming venture into Hollywood with his new film, Mancuso’s journey is one marked by instinct, patience, and an unwavering dedication to his craft.
Reflecting on his path to success, Mancuso reminisces about his early days in content creation, which began in 2012. “I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. I just knew that I knew how to make music, and I knew how to tell stories,” he recalls. “I ignored my instincts for a while, and then, when I finally gave into it, I started making stuff.” In a landscape dominated by traditional media, Mancuso’s adaptation to emerging platforms like Vine showcased his innate ability to connect with audiences in innovative ways. Within just months on the platform, the Brazilian talent had amassed nearly 5 million followers, making him one of the most-followed creators on the early short-form video app.
During this time, Mancuso was also coming to understand his condition, synesthesia. This phenomenon, while not classified as a medical condition, entails the brain processing sensory information across various unrelated senses, resulting in simultaneous sensory experiences. For Manusco, this cognitive process shapes his perception of everyday sounds. “I knew I was different,” he tells Remezcla. Embracing his reality allowed him to see the potential in his circumstances. “It was through creating that I figured out, ‘Maybe this isn’t a disease. Maybe this could be a superpower,” he shares, adding that he understands his privileges as a creative. “I was lucky. I was able to apply those qualities to what I love to do. Not everyone’s that fortunate.”
Maybe this isn’t a disease. Maybe this could be a superpower.
As his online presence grew, Mancuso’s unique blend of humor, music, and storytelling, fueled by his “superpower,” resonated with viewers—much to his surprise. “People started really liking [my content], and I couldn’t believe it,” he admits. With each new video, Mancuso tripled down on his efforts, determined to make his mark on the ever-evolving landscape of digital media. Reflecting on his mindset, he recalls telling himself, “I’m going to go hard.”
It wasn’t long before Mancuso set his sights on a new frontier: Hollywood, moving from Glen Ridge, New Jersey to Los Angeles. “I’ve always wanted to make films,” he confesses. Recognizing that his short videos were getting longer and longer, and as he dabbled in more extensive projects (directing music videos for Alesso and collaborating with Justin Bieber), Mancuso embarked on a journey to aim higher and finally go for his filmmaking dreams.
Over the years, Mancuso’s dedication to his craft never wavered. Drawing inspiration from creatives like Andy Muschietti and Taika Waititi, his vision became more apparent. “Make this shit so personal that it’s embarrassing,” Mancuso recalls as the common advice imparted by his mentors.
That’s exactly what he did with his newest project, MÚSICA, bringing a raw, unfiltered portrayal of his culture and identity to film. “It was around 2018 when I was like, ‘I think I’m ready to develop this idea I have,’” he explained of the project starting as an episodic series. Despite facing setbacks and challenges along the way, Mancuso saw that the timing wasn’t right just yet and remained steadfast in his pursuit of his filmmaking dreams.
That dream is now a reality with the project materializing into a film: MÚSICA, written, directed, and starring the Brazilian-American creator, released on Amazon Prime Video today (April 4). And as Mancuso prepares to make his mark on the cinematic landscape, one thing is abundantly clear: his voice is one that demands to be heard. With his unique blend of authenticity, creativity, and cultural insight, Mancuso proves he has many more stories to tell. He stands as a beacon of hope in a world hungry for genuine narratives and diverse voices, inviting viewers on a journey of self-discovery and cultural exploration. Through his work, the filmmaker not only entertains but also enlightens, offering a glimpse into the complexities of human experience and the beauty of authenticity amidst a cacophony of noise that surrounds him.
