We were lucky to catch up with Chozy Aiyub recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Chozy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

As a child, I always imitated actors on TV, from their accents to their movements to everything else. American movies were so powerful back then and there were many wonderful stories that were told. At the age of 13, my father decided to buy me a camcorder camera and that is when I realized my passion for acting as well as story telling. I would write my own short films and cast my friends and neighbors as actors on the project. I would direct and act in my projects. Now forward to today, I am doing the same thing I always enjoyed doing even though I stopped for a long time. It’s always been my passion and I am glad I reconnected with my inner child. I think that if I didn’t stop and actually went to an acting school, I might have been one of the most recognized actors and directors of the century, but God has a timing for everything and I believe I am where I’m supposed to be today.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

4 years ago, I was having a midlife crisis and was losing faith in my purpose in life overall. Single, laid off, lonely, defeated and unhappy, I walked to the backyard of my house and yelled at God in the sky: “God, what’s my purpose? Why am I here on this earth? Tell me! Please tell me!”. A moment later, a man showed up next door and asked me: “Are you okay?”. At that time I didn’t have a neighbor so I was shook and asked: “Where did you come from? Who are you?”. He answered: “I’m Jackson and I just moved in this morning.” I asked him what he does and he said he was an actor. We started talking about it and he eventually suggested I take classes at a nearby acting studio and so I did and found my passion again.

In the past 2 years during the pandemic, as most people lived in fear and didn’t leave their houses, I decided to start creating my own projects with my friends and so we did. That led me into starting my own production company named “Chozen Productions”. So far we have 9 episodes of a web series titled “Cobra’s World” as well as 4 short films: “Airbnboom”, “Conflict”, “This is Awkward” and “Being X in America”. They are currently in festivals and doing well. To God be the glory.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Seeing your vision come to life is the best reward you can have as an artist. We know everything starts with an idea, and that idea shapes a vision for whatever project is in the making. Once my pen touches the paper it’s like magic. Sometimes it feels like it’s not even me writing this script. It feels like there is a spiritual bond with God while doing so, and that’s why he is present in all of my work.

Being an artist takes all of you and a lot of people might not be able to see your vision and what you are aiming to do. But at the end of the day, believe in yourself, surround yourself with like minded people and ask God for direction and help.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

As a Palestinian living in the America, there is a lot that Americans are unaware of when it comes to Palestine, the language, the food, the culture and the people. So I try to infuse that in my work in hope to open their minds and ask questions.

At the end of the day, I want to tell untold stories that provoke people to talk about stories that the media doesnt cover because it doesn’t help their ratings or narrative. You can’t hide the truth forever.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chozyaiyub.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/chozino
• Youtube: www.youTube.com/chozenproductionsllc

Image Credits
Heng Theng Corryn Goldschmidt