Birmingham Filmmaker Roderick McClure’s First Feature Opens Jan. 17 with Top Hollywood Talent

By Je’Don Holloway-Talley | For The Birmingham Times Roderick McClure, CEO of RodFather Productions, may be a newcomer to filmmaking, but he’s no stranger to turning dreams into reality—including his own. The Birmingham native, who has decades of experience in sales, organizational management, and ministry leadership, has now embarked on a journey to fulfill another dream: becoming a filmmaker. This month he’s seen that goal realized. McClure teamed up with his son-in-law, Joshua Ferrell, to launch RodFather Productions in 2024, and they’ve already produced their first feature, “Both Eyes Open,” which will hit theaters on January 17. The film is a psychological thriller that stars Gail Bean, known for her role as Wanda in the FX television series “Snowfall,” and veteran actor Taye Diggs, celebrated for his work in “The Best Man” franchise and the CW network’s “All American.” “Both Eyes Open” not only showcases McClure’s ability to assemble top-tier talent but also reflects his lifelong passion for storytelling. “They call me ‘The RodFather’ for a reason—I know how to get things done. I know how to make things happen. I know how to pull people together. From one lunch meeting in November 2023, [our team] successfully casted everyone we...