We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anna Buksowicz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anna below.
Anna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I’ve been fortunate enough to work on plenty of meaningful projects, and collaborate with strong, highly creative, and incredibly thoughtful heads of departments. Most recently, I wrapped short film “Flutter” (written & directed by Sofia Ayerdi, and produced by Tracy Dillon). This short was created for the Academy Gold Rising program, a competitive, demanding, but likewise rewarding mentorship program for production roles, hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. I was one of the 7,000+ applicants to get accepted (less than 1% acceptance rate) this year, one of the 5 production design mentees, and the Production Designer (head of department, as selected by the director). I received a handful of brilliant Art Department mentors — Production Designers, Illustrators, Set Dressers, and Art Directors — who pushed me to excel and guided my work towards the right direction. My mentors were particularly incredible, because they didn’t criticize the content of my work, but my methods and ultimate execution.
“Flutter” is memorable however, not only because it was created under the mentorship of the Academy, but because the design was a challenge in itself, and I am incredibly proud to have pulled it off. First and foremost, a large auditorium to play as a biology classroom — it had carpet floor, black felt walls, electrical equipment that cannot be dis-mounted. The original plan was to fly in flats and build a new room, but after budget discussions that became impossible. We had to work with the black void. I thought back to earlier projects of mine, where I played a lot with botanical gardens and greens, and also perspective with installing windows. So, the black void ultimately turned into a high-tech biology classroom, with a greenhouse as the center piece that breaks apart the blackness.
Another challenge was the exteriors. The DP asked me to cover windows, for which I had to take meticulous measurements of because we had costs for only one printing copy. I always find exteriors challenging because I can’t control the natural environment — but what I’ve learned on “Flutter”, is that good production design embraces the location instead of fighting against it. There’s a reason they were chosen.
Anna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
None of my friends or family were involved in the film industry, so choosing to pursue a full-time career in the arts was definitely intimidating. When I moved to Los Angeles, I didn’t know a single person. I showed up with two oversized suitcases, a big dream, and a printed Google Maps direction to my hotel. The first time I ever drove an automatic car was on my way to that hotel. What pushed me forward was my deep desire to succeed. That drive was so strong that I did everything I could, day in and day out, to make progress. While I’m not yet where I want to be, I can look back on my journey and proudly say, “I made it.” I am a Production Designer working full-time in the film industry.
I came to LA to pursue a master’s in filmmaking at the New York Film Academy, which I graduated from last year. It was in film school that I built my network—genuine friends who understood me and who continue to help me in my career. Through the honesty required in great storytelling, my classmates and I developed a strong connection. Since moving here, I’ve realized that the more authentic I am, the more I attract like-minded people. The same goes for my work—when I focus on ideas I truly believe in, the results follow. You have to be unapologetically yourself. While I was fortunate enough to study in Hollywood on a scholarship, success didn’t just fall into my lap. I spent years working hard, carving out my own path, and fighting for what I believe in. Now, I’m finally starting to see the results.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I think this translates beyond just my creative journey, but I live by the words “all energy is borrowed, and one day you have to give it back”. It’s a quote from Avatar. Every day, we borrow energy from the world, and I want to make sure that what I am using serves to better the world. Everything I do, including the art I create, I want to do for the good of the world. So that one day, I can give that energy back.
I don’t think there’s a point of living if you’re not bettering the world. Don’t waste energy. Borrow and give it back, better.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
“The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne changed my life. It’s a very easy self-help book to read, that essentially tells you the secret to living a long, beautiful, and happy life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.anna-maria-buksowicz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annabuksowicz/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-buksowicz/
Image Credits
Blaine Harrington
Dane Anderson