Did anyone ever tell you, you weren't good enough?
Yes, but I used it as motivation. Such comments are fuel for my drive to excel. They remind me that success is not handed to one, but earned through perseverance, learning, and constantly challenging oneself.
How can you stay focused on your goal?
By maintaining a clear vision and staying passionate. My focus comes from a clear vision of what I want to achieve and a deep passion for my work. Keeping my goals in sight and reminding myself of why I started helps me stay on track.
Have you ever had a breakdown because of your Job?
If we are speaking about a nervous breakdown, thankfully, the answer is no. However, if we're referring to situations akin to communication breakdowns in a project, then yes, I have experienced those. In any project, overwhelming moments are not uncommon, but I view each of these challenges as a learning experience. They have taught me the importance of resilience, clear communication, and maintaining a healthy balance between my professional and personal life. Each difficult moment has been an opportunity to grow and adapt, reinforcing the necessity of strong communication skills and emotional intelligence in our field.
Talent is a blessing or a curse?
A blessing that comes with responsibility. Talent is a gift, but it carries the responsibility of honing and using it wisely. It opens doors but maintaining success requires hard work and dedication and a bit of luck.
What would you like to improve about yourself as a director/screenwriter?
My ability to adapt to different styles and genres. I'm constantly striving to be more versatile, adapting to various styles and genres. Expanding my range allows me to take on diverse projects and challenges.
What's the worst critic you have received?
That my work didn't resonate deeply with the millennial audience.
Hearing that my work wasn't fully connecting with the millennial generation was challenging. However, this critique motivated me to innovate and delve deeper into my storytelling, ensuring it speaks to a broader and more diverse audience.
If you weren't a director/screenwriter, what would you like to be?
If I were not a director/screenwriter, I'd immerse myself in other storytelling mediums. As a filmmaker, I view myself as a temporary custodian of stories that matter, educate, and inspire. My passion for media and storytelling is diverse, encompassing fields like photography, journalism, and IT program and project management. In fact, my career in IT has been the financial backbone enabling me to pursue filmmaking, rather than relying on it for income. With projects like Rising Wings, I aim to blend tradition with contemporary relevance. So, even outside of directing and screenwriting, I would remain committed to storytelling, employing my varied skills to continue bringing vital narratives to life in whichever medium I find myself.
If Cinema was a color what would it be?
Blue, for its depth and versatility. Blue represents the depth and diversity of cinema. Like the ocean, cinema has unseen depths and encompasses a spectrum of emotions and stories.
A day without a movie is...
A missed opportunity for inspiration. Movies are not just entertainment; they are sources of inspiration and learning. Each day without them is a day less enriched by the stories they tell.