Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Azarian

Hi Daniel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

My passion for filmmaking ignited when I was a child. My father, who owned a Super8 camera, encouraged me to create films. By age 10, I had learned how to operate the camera, and by 12, I was editing my films. In those days, editing involved viewing the film in a hand-cranked viewer, physically cutting it, and taping it together with splicing tape. I quickly began making my own science fiction and horror films in our New Jersey suburban backyard with our friends, featuring alien and monster invasions. Filmmaking was my passion.

In high school, I got involved in theater, which sparked my interest in acting. This led me to NYU, where I studied acting under the renowned Stella Adler. Her teachings emphasized script analysis and understanding the universal themes of a play. At the young age of 21, I didn’t realize it at the time, but her teachings profoundly influenced my approach to storytelling. Her words constantly, even to this day, replay in my head. She was a master storyteller, and I was very fortunate to have studied with her.

My first job out of college was promoting films on home video for Warner Brothers. I was suddenly placed behind the camera and was fortunate enough to learn under veteran marketers and promotion experts. Little did I know that this skill set would serve me later, as understanding marketing became integral to owning my own agency. This experience, combined with my background in filmmaking and acting, culminated in me becoming a well-rounded storyteller. I began directing short films, commercials, and public service announcements. Over the years, I’ve worked with brands like 3M, Scotch-Brite, Horizon Organic, Sony Music, Netflix, and The Drew Barrymore Show.

Today, as the creative director of my boutique agency, I integrate storytelling, directing, producing, and branding. My consistent goal is to inspire, educate, and uplift through the power of narrative.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

The road has had its bumps. In the early stages of my filmmaking career, one of the biggest challenges was securing project financing. Independent filmmaking often requires substantial investment, and finding backers who believed in my vision was tough, if not impossible. This roadblock taught me to become incredibly resourceful. In hindsight, working with minimal budgets forced me to come up with creative solutions I might never have considered otherwise. This necessity to be inventive and efficient ultimately made me a better filmmaker and producer.

I always tell peers and associates that studying any of the arts—painting, photography, film, literature, philosophy—will only help you as a filmmaker. This is true from a naively idealistic perspective, as becoming a student of life undoubtedly enriches your creative outlook. However, becoming a professional filmmaker is another story. From that perspective, a degree in finance or investing is often necessary, as without financing, making a film becomes very difficult.

With the digital revolution, shooting films on smaller, more powerful cameras, editing with powerful apps (even on your phone), and using LED low-power lights, you can make a film at a fraction of the cost you could before. However, this phenomenon has resulted in many more films being made, so the competition is tenfold. The challenge then becomes getting people to see your film. I’m not sure which is the lesser of two evils. Only time will tell. But that is the challenge of life. And with AI on the rise, we’re entering the next revolution. Its implications are so complex that it will take considerable time to even fully understand them.

But you can’t run in fear. Fear is the antithesis of living a fulfilled life. You must learn to face challenges head-on. As the renowned French playwright Molière once said, “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.”

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I had an unconventional path to where I am today, learning many disciplines such as filmmaking, graphic design, storytelling, writing, and visual effects. I’m a creative director and producer, overseeing all aspects of development from concept to final execution. I specialize in narrative storytelling, whether it’s in short films, commercials, or digital content. My work often involves crafting and developing brand identities through visual and narrative.

I am most known for the documentary short film I produced and directed, “A Day in the Life of Lolita the Performing Orca.” The film features the renowned Orca Biologist Ingrid Visser from New Zealand as she visits a captive orca named Lolita in Miami, Florida. Produced for the Orca Network in Washington, the film has garnered millions of views, screened at several prestigious wildlife film festivals worldwide, and aired on TV as far away as South Africa and Germany. This project marked my first foray into documentary filmmaking, but it was a natural extension of my career in public service announcements and public television. Previously, I directed spots for the Anti-Violence Project, PBS’s Real Savvy Moms, and Regencell Bioscience, highlighting their breakthrough treatment for children with autism using traditional Chinese medicine.

My current projects also include “The Process,” a video podcast series I developed and co-host with voice actress Tara Langella, in which we deconstruct the creative process with professionals from all disciplines. Think of it like a masterclass in innovation and imagination. We interviewed creatives such as voice actor Dave Fennoy (The Walking Dead) and Art Director Russell Schramm (Good Morning America). I’m also producing the “Workout for Beginners: Commercial Gym Edition” video series for Disrupt Fitness. The series features Long Law, the esteemed New York City personal training guru known for his science-based approach to fitness, as he dispels common fitness myths.

I have always been passionate about creating impactful and meaningful content. My public service announcements, particularly advocating for the humane treatment of animals, have been influential in raising awareness. Many experts will tell you to focus on one industry or vertical, and I completely understand that from a business and financial perspective.

But for me, I love offering services for a varied list of industries. I am always learning and diving deep into new territory, and I thrive on mastering the details and minutiae of new concepts. I believe what sets me apart is my versatility and resourcefulness. I can adapt to various roles and projects, from directing and producing to post-production, and I consistently develop high-quality work with limited resources, showcasing my ingenuity and efficiency. I’m just as comfortable directing a company owner, who may not be a trained actor, to perform well on camera as I am with selecting the best lens or determining the appropriate color grade in post-production. My holistic approach, drawing from my varied background, allows me to create well-rounded, impactful stories. I’m deeply committed to projects that drive positive change and impact society, which fuels my passion for storytelling.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?

Early in my career, as I’m sure many others feel, success was married to making money, winning accolades, and gaining industry recognition. However, over time, you realize that those things, as cliché as they may sound, do not matter as much as following your passion and constantly learning.

To me, success means aligning my work with my values and passions, finding joy in the creative process, and continually growing in my craft. Ultimately, success is leaving a legacy of meaningful and impactful work that I am proud of.

True success is finding personal fulfillment in the work you do every day. It’s about creating content that meets professional standards, touches lives, and inspires change.

Ultimately, it’s not about the accolades or the recognition but the difference you’ve made and the lives you’ve touched.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dacreativedesign.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielazariancreative/
• Twitter: https://x.com/danielazarian