- Was there a particular event or time that you recognized that filmmaking is your way of telling stories?
There wasn’t any particular event, but as with all directions in life, I came to this point via the culmination of all my life events.
- Do you think it is essential to go to a film institute in order to become a successful filmmaker?
No, it’s definitely not essential but it’s a great way to obtain the knowledge necessary to do so. It certainly helps to know the rules before one can break them.
- Is it harder to get started or to keep going? What was the particular thing that you had to conquer to do either?
It’s hard to get started but once I do, it all just flows together.
- What was the most important lesson you had to learn that has had a positive effect on your film? How did that lesson happen?
I had to learn how to take different perspectives. This skill is something I am still developing.
- What were the production realities from casting through editing that you had to accommodate? How did you navigate those compromises or surprises and still end up with a cohesive film?
Time management is difficult during a project. I accommodated by not sleeping.
- What was the hardest artistic choice you made in the making of a film, at any stage in production?
Personally, I thought every step of the way had a difficult artistic choice because there are never really any correct choices.
- You are a collaborator. How have you discovered members of your team and how do you keep the relationship with them strong?
I discovered my team through random life events. Most people we encounter can bring value into our lives. I was fortunate enough to meet the ones who share a mutual respect and passion for filmmaking. Our mutual objective keeps our relationship strong.
- What do audiences want? And is it the filmmaker’s role to worry about that?
Audiences want to think just the right amount. The filmmaker should identify the target audience and understand them.
- What role have film festivals played in your life so far? Why are they necessary? How do you get the most out of them?
Film festivals are just a great way to bring like-minded people together. They’ve played a vital role in my life by helping me build a strong network of film lovers whom I can share ideas and grow with.
- Do you believe that a filmmaker should be original and fresh or he/she should stick to classic but safe cinema style?
I believe that innovation is the most important part about filmmaking. Anything that lacks originality will eventually be automated.
- What qualities or attributes do you look for in people you are looking to employ or work with?
The most important qualities I look for are open-mindedness and adaptability. I enjoy working with people who are able to think creatively and share ideas while being able to quickly deal with changing situations.
- Would you recommend writers think like a producer when writing their script? Or, just write with reckless abandon and then worry about the cost, or whatever, after they’ve grabbed a producer’s attention.
Write what you want. Compromise later if absolutely necessary.
- How involved in the writing of a project do you get? Are you more involved in the initial development?
Although collaboration with teammates is important, I’m an independent filmmaker; I have to be in charge of every process of the development.
- If you had an unlimited budget at your disposal, what would be your dream production project?
I have many different dream projects I would like to pursue one day.
- What does the future of film look like?
Personally, I am eager to be surprised by what innovations come next so I try not to predict the future. Perhaps film will become a multi sensory experience with EEG signals triggering different sensory parts of the brain, enabling people to not only see and hear but also smell and feel what the characters feel as well. Perhaps films will all become virtual reality and we will walk amongst the characters in 3D scenes. Perhaps everything will stay the same. I just hope it’s not the latter.
