A native of Illinois, Raddatz moved away from the drear of winter to the nearly permanent supply of sunshine in SW Florida. Prior to this he worked in Chicago and was involved in film doing extra roles in movies such as Stir of Echoes (Kevin Bacon), Just Visiting (Tara Reid, Christina Applegate) and a few episodes of ER (NBC). But it was after relocating to Florida and while working on the Farrelly Brother’s movie Stuck on You that a light bulb blew up in his head, he explains “It was on that set I decided if you can have this much fun making films and make money too, this is what I want to do. Shortly after this I wrote, cast, produced, directed and marketed my first movie A Day to Love and Die, which was screened at the New York International Video and Film Festival and picked up for international distribution in 2005.”

That was the beginning for Raddatz: A couple of years after producing his first film, he was inspired to pen, Barely a Chance, which was rumored to have been autobiographical. Raddatz confided, “The film was based on several people I know, including myself, but strangely it became more of a self-fulfilling prophecy. I think you have to write about what you know and since I’m genuinely fascinated with people, love and relationships I took a story that explored a man, made single, who tries to get back into the dating game. He takes on a persona that he thinks will make him look cool. He goes through the five stages of grief before getting to know who he is. The film explores asexuality and how traditional relationships don’t work, how finding one person to fulfill all of your needs in a marriage may not be the final outlet for true love for some or most people. I wrote it over three years ago back when I was married and funny that only after the premiere do I see how it might appear to be autobiographical.”

Raddatz is a visionary, one with a sense of humor, and admits to being idealistic, “I think the next film I write should be about how a filmmaker, in his thirties, makes it big; he becomes wildly successful beyond all his dreams to the point where every film he makes either educates, to make the world a better place, or entertains, to make the lives of many happier. He gives tons of his money to charity curing all of the worlds’ diseases and finds a way to bring peace, harmony and love to the entire world. Yes I’m idealistic. Yes I believe you have to try and make a difference and yes, I really believe that if you can see it, you can achieve it.”

So what is on the horizon for Raddatz? He discussed a film project he is writing in collaboration with the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking. “The story is one that has been told, but we are telling like none before it (that I am aware of). It focuses on social environments that people grow up in that brainwash them or poorly educate them into misunderstanding or falsely believing that a lifestyle or a way of life is acceptable.”

When asked about prospects for others inspiring for a film career in his community, he chides ‘move to L.A. or New York’, but in all seriousness he says, “ If I have it my way we will be doing much greater productions with huge budgets in the next few years. Look for us to be making all kinds of serious vibrations.”

In the meantime, Raddatz is busy working Barely a Chance on the film festival circuit. He also wished to express his gratitude to all those who have supported his efforts and who came out to the premier, which was held at the new Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center in Ft. Myers, FL. He exclaims, “300 people attended and it was one of the most exciting and refreshing nights I can imagine in my recent memory. Being surrounded by such artistic, creative and appreciative people who care about the arts and who supported such an event, warmed my soul a whole lot. The after party was a bit of a blur but everyone said it was off the hizzook.”

There is another project he is undertaking: filling the void left by the hugely successful Marco Island Film Festival, after it’s abrupt disappearance from the SW Florida scene a few years back. Raddatz is determined to bring the film community alive in the area once again and is working with others in the community to build another film festival—in Naples, Florida (the Naples International Film Festival)—to premier in 2009.

Without a doubt, Eric Raddatz is one to watch and an unstoppable force within his community. An industrious  man not only with avision…but a mission—caught on film.

For more information on Eric and his ERAD Production company visit: www.ericraddatz.com or www.barelyachance.com

Photography provided by E. Raddatz & Michelle Tricca