We were lucky to catch up with Faizan Bazmee recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Faizan , thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I am very happy working as a creative because, for me, working as a creative doesn’t feel like work, and that is the best part. I think every creative person or artist has had thoughts about how it would be if they were working a regular job.

These thoughts often arise when things are not going well or according to plan. I, too, have had these thoughts about whether I have made the right decision to be in this creative field. Will I make it big or have the luxury to always keep working in the creative industry? Earlier, when I used to get writer’s block, these questions would come to mind, and I had second thoughts. But what I have learned is that if you keep working hard and improving your skills as a creative, you will trust yourself more. I also think that working as a creative is a luxury for me because I enjoy this work, and it makes me happy. That is a plus, and it always outweighs the negative thoughts.

Faizan , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am an Indian writer and director based in Los Angeles. I also work as a First and Second assistant director, with a decade of experience in various formats including feature films, music videos, commercials, web series, and short films.

I entered the film industry at a very young age, around 6 years old as a child artist in a popular Bollywood film. Initially, I aspired to be an actor, but being on sets from a young age and witnessing the making of many films, thanks to my father who is a respected filmmaker in the Bollywood industry, gave me exposure. Over time, I came to understand the immense hard work and dedication required behind the camera.

The transition to becoming a director and writer was gradual. My sole goal is to entertain people with the stories I have to tell. I pursued a bachelor’s degree in film and media production, followed by a diploma in screenwriting, after which I really got into writing scripts. Recently, I completed my master’s in film and media production from New York Film Academy.

During my academic pursuits, I made time to work as an assistant director on various projects. What sets me apart is the unique nature of the stories I want to tell. Some might consider them unusual, but I believe that’s my strength – crafting narratives that offer audiences a fresh and compelling experience.

Having worked in nearly every department of filmmaking, I have a good understanding of the process. However, my strengths lie in writing, directing, and overseeing sets as an assistant director.

I am particularly proud of my latest film, “The Lost Years.” This project taught me more than any other I’ve undertaken. It was a challenging film to write, and after nearly four months of preproduction and countless drafts, I successfully secured funding and assembled an amazing crew to bring my vision to life. Currently, the film is making its festival rounds, and the experience has bolstered my confidence for future projects.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

“We often find ourselves thinking, ‘Everyone is going to like it,’ when working on a story, film, or even in life. We tend to try and shape the narrative, film or we try adding shots or elements in a way that we believe will appeal to everyone. However, the lesson I’ve learned is that not everyone has to like it, and that’s okay. Coming to terms with this allows us to be honest with the story, to be true to its essence, making it better appreciated by people. By refraining from adding unnecessary elements, we do justice to the story or film we are creating.

The backstory to this lesson is the production of my last film, which I both wrote and directed. While crafting the script, I consulted with a few filmmaker friends who offered their opinions. Most of them suggested that the film was too intense and advised against making it, or if I did proceed, they recommended significant changes to the script. While I value their input, I only incorporated suggestions that I believed would enhance the film. I made some minor adjustments but retained the elements they felt made the film too intense because that was the essence of the story—to reveal an uncomfortable truth. I believe the film turned out well.” So the point is that people may not understand everything you want to convey or they might not like it but you need to be okay with that and trust yourself.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to work in the film industry. Initially, I was drawn to the idea of being an actor, perhaps for the wrong reasons like seeking fame and fortune. Some might argue these are valid motivations, but personally, I didn’t feel that acting was essential for my happiness. Nonetheless, I pursued it and had the opportunity to work in two Bollywood films as a child artist.

However, as I grew older, between the ages of 13 to 16, I began to sway away from acting. I no longer felt as comfortable with the idea of pursuing it as a career. During this time, I started to visit many film sets, where I gained a deeper understanding of the filmmaking craft. I found myself gravitating towards the idea of storytelling rather than being in front of the camera.

I had always heard film stories from my father before they were made, and listening to him narrate his stories always left me in awe, sometimes even emotional. The ease with which he could narrate a story without notes and captivate everyone in the room for almost two hours was something I aspired to. It was then that I realized I wanted to become a filmmaker.

This realization marked a significant pivot in my career. While I had always seen others in the role of filmmaker, this was the first time I seriously considered pursuing it myself. My first step was to focus on becoming a good writer, as writing is essential for visualization, a key skill for directing. So, I started writing. It was a difficult and lonely job; in the beginning, I constantly doubted myself because whatever I wrote didn’t seem good enough. However, I learned during my diploma in screenwriting that it’s all about the rewrites. From then on, I began to enjoy the process and still do to this day.

After this, there was no turning back. I have always aimed to become a skilled filmmaker who can entertain his audience.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faizanbazmee?igsh=YTQwZjQ0NmI0OA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/faizan-bazmee-0b53a2151
• Other: Email – [email protected]