We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Karbis Sarafyan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Karbis, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
I took a lot of risks over the years. I think taking risks is a big part of growth especially in this field. Starting from signing up to film school (New York Film Academy) fresh out of high school to interning as a PA for several productions and purchasing camera equipment when I can barely afford it just so I get the opportunity to work on any film project even if it was for free. I have been taking risks throughout my entire career and it has always been worth it even if something didn’t go my way there was a lesson to be learned which is a gift in itself. I think taking risks is what makes a person stronger and smarter through experience.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a filmmaker. I grew up on film sets as a background actor since I was 7 years old one of my first big job’s as kid was in 2000 when I played the photo double of Pinocchio played by Seth Adkins on the film Geppetto with Drew Carey in Universal Studios. I had worked on every major studio set by the time I was 16 years old, watching films made a huge influence on me watching my sister auditioning on a daily basis going to acting class at the same time every day was a big influence and big understanding of what real hard work is. All of this has been a big motivation for me to get in the field that I am in. I love this world of filmmakers/actors and movie sets.
I was 18 years old attending Santa Monica City college. I was in psychology class sitting in the back of the classroom. Looking at all the students I know I wouldn’t really get along with and waiting for the teacher to pronounce my name wrong, I realized that this is not where I want to be. Class ended, my mom picked me up and I told her I want to go to film school. That same year I signed up to New York Film Academy and started my film career. I’ve been working in film for 15 years now.
I am a producer but also a jack of all trades. I am very tech savvy in camera/editing/lighting/sound. I know how all of it works because I have worked in all of those fields. It makes me more efficient as a producer. I am a problem solver and I am good at it. I have access to hundreds of locations/crew and actors. I built a network of filmmakers because I worked with these people as a camera operator or a grip or directing various projects over the years.
In terms of discipline. I study Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Martial arts has been a part of my life as long as filmmaking has. I learned what discipline, positivity, passion, perseverance, patience is through martial arts. I practice till this day and it is the core of where my discipline comes from.
I have a film production company which provides services for all sorts of full scale production projects including my own Arri Alexa 35!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding part of what I do is the process and also when its complete people get to experience it.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
One of the previous questions was about taking risks and in my field taking risks is almost always there. Not only is the film industry challenging in itself but depending on what field you’re in the risk of failure is much higher but the reward is just as high and as a film producer the risk is in my opinion is one of the highest and that’s why its important to know exactly what you’re doing and its been my goal all along to know every aspect of filmmaking to make the risk as low as possible so I have the advantage. So resilience in this field is always there waiting to take a bite and you better know how to take it or don’t do it at all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.karbissarafyan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karbissarafyan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karbis/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karbis-sarafyan-b5464634/
- Twitter: https://x.com/karbissarafyan?s=21
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarbisSarafyan/featured
Image Credits
Robert Tapaltsyan