Today we’d like to introduce you to Aris Federman

Hi Aris, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

That’s a difficult question to narrow down. If you want to get really granual with it, I guess I could say that evidence of storytelling & filmmaking could be found as far back as my Kindergarten days. I would frequently coax my parents into holding a camcorder while I made my ‘Star Wars’ action figures fight one another. Some people call those home movies, I call them early explorations in storytelling.

Yes- there was no budget, no shot lists or storyboards, no lights or crew, nor any sort of script to speak of. But it was still a fearless toe dipped into the pool of communicating through story. Things got bigger since Kindergarten, and I suspect they’ll continue to get bigger a decade from now. The core of it is still the same, though, and that’s been the tether I’ve clung to on this journey.

Now I am a filmmaker and a Co-Founder/CEO of Blue Oak Productions- a full service production company specializing in both narrative entertainment and commercial/brand storytelling. It’s been the greatest adventure of my life to this point.

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?

Success isn’t linear and everything comes with challenges, but generally, I don’t believe a smooth road is the best road. In the pursuit of something important, we need to be knocked around a little bit. That’s how we become sharper, better, more resilient.

Filmmaking can be a fast moving field. So is entrepreneurship. I’m in both. Oftentimes, I you can be forced to make a decision without all of the information, or to choose between two not-so-great options. What’s important is that you take a step. Perfect conditions are rare and action is always better than inaction, Waiting for the right moment will only result in staying in the same place, and many times, staying in the same place means death (metaphorically) in the longterm. Learn by doing.

One of my favorite quotes sums up what I’m attempting to say far better than I can articulate it. It’s by John A. Shedd… “Ships are safe in a habor, but that is not what they are built for.”

We’ve been impressed with Blue Oak Productions, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Blue Oak is a full service production company specializing in both narrative entertainment and commercial/brand storytelling. At our core, we’re a storytelling company.

We have two guiding missions in the work that we do. Creatively, we like to ‘branch out beyond the ordinary’. This means telling resonate stories with impact in non-traditional ways that break formula.

When working with companies to create brand supportive video tools (social media, video brochures, commercials, etc.) we really lean into this the idea that ‘your brand is your story, tell it well.’ It’s a firm belief at Blue Oak that the term ‘content’ doesn’t do enough express the power that video can have when connecting companies with their potential audience- consumers. We’re very proud of this approach.

Our team is full service- start to finish. What that means is dependent on the scope and needs of the project, but we’re equipped to provide a crew, equipment, perform ideation, acquire location permits, run casting, compose original music, etc. The team at Blue Oak is multi-faceted with skillsets ranging from drone piloting to screenwriting. This expands the scope of what our team is able to do on both creative projects and for clients.

Our production process is one that highly emphasizes communication and individual attention, which is something integral when trusted with something as precious an organization’s brand. Your story, your brand, is special and unique. It deserves thought, communication, and clarity.

Our team has worked with clients in a variety of industries. Each of these brands are highly unique. It’s important to our process that we tackle each project from a ‘brand first’ perspective. No project is cookie cutter. Hand made from the ground up.

That’s what we’re all about at Blue Oak.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?

I’m deeply thankful for the people who have guided me along my journey and I don’t know where I’d be without them. I’ve generally found that people who are further down the path than you, are willing to provide advice and guidance if you ask. It maybe niave of me but I think that, generally, people want to help lift others up- especially if they’re proud of their field and the work they do.

It’s important than when seeking a mentorship that you have something to show for yourself, some sort of ‘proof of passion’. You have to put in the work yourself before asking someone to help you out- that’s only fair. If you want to be a filmmaker- make some shorts, even if they’re shot on an iPhone with you acting as cast, crew, and producer. Get some practice in. That’s step one. It’ll go a long way when seeking out mentors. After that, just don’t be afraid to ask. Be candid and true. Someone out there will want to show you the ropes.

As for networking, put yourself in spaces you’d like to be in. Attend film festivals and watch the work being done- talk with other creators there. There are countless, public Facebook groups out there for filmmakers where networking events are frequently advertised. Networks are intriguing because they spiral upward. As your network grows, you’ll be introduced to more people, and those people will introduce you to even more creators.

The best thing I’ve found, not just for networking but life, is to be genuinely interested in other people. Ask questions, care about what they’re doing, watch their work. It’s a surefire way to forge some friendships. It can be tempting to ‘info-dump’ about all of your amazing projects, and while it’s important to talk about the work you’re doing, don’t forget that the core of building a relationship is genuine interest in the other person.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blueoakproductions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueoakproductions/

Image Credits

Jonah Hale, Travis Kelly