Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nebal Shafi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nebal, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

Every artist aspires to leave a lasting legacy through their art, and I am no exception. I believe that after we depart, what endures is the impact of our creations. Reflecting deeply on what I hope to leave behind, I find myself without a definitive answer, perhaps because I am still in the early stages of my career. However, my aspiration is clear: to produce something profoundly unique, be it within a narrative, a scene, or a single frame, so that when people encounter it, they immediately associate it with my work. I aim to elicit emotions that are either novel or long forgotten, crafting art that becomes a reference point for others. As a filmmaker, I see my purpose as stirring emotions and effecting subtle change. While I acknowledge that I may not have reached this goal yet, I am confident that with time and dedication, I will.

Nebal, 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?

Hey there, I’m Nebal Shafi, and I wear a few hats – I’m a writer, director, producer, and dancer. Creativity has been my constant companion for as long as I can remember. From my early days, all I did was create stuff and watch movies. At six years old, I was already crafting cars out of toilet paper rolls and cardboard boxes, and my grandparents cherished these creations as if they were precious trophies. Like many Indian families, they saw potential for me in engineering, but my heart was in the arts.

As I grew older, my love for dance bloomed. I taught myself various styles of Hip-hop and even became a lead choreographer in a crew called “Showstoppers” during my undergraduate years in engineering. Despite my passion for dance, I struggled with my studies, leading me to reassess my path.

With the encouragement of my parents, I pursued a degree in Journalism and Media, a shift that introduced me to the world of filmmaking. It was a close friend who nudged me into directing my first film, which surprisingly made waves at festivals. That experience ignited a fire within me, leading to the creation of numerous short films, commercials, PSAs, and dance videos over the following years. However, I felt a sense of stagnation and yearned for growth.

Determined to expand my skills, I enrolled in a filmmaking master’s program at the New York Film Academy. With unwavering support from my parents, I found myself in Los Angeles, where I’ve spent the last three years honing my craft. Through this journey, I’ve discovered my true passion lies in writing, directing, and producing.

With newfound confidence, I’ve actively promoted my films, leading to recognition and accolades at festivals worldwide. More than just entertainment, I aim to use my art to provoke thought and evoke emotion, hoping to offer audiences a fresh perspective on life. Throughout it all, I’ve learned the importance of authenticity both in my art and in telling my own story. And this is just the beginning.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My most recent experience involved co-directing our latest film, “Flower,” which proved to be a challenging endeavor due to its complexity and limited budget. Despite encountering numerous setbacks, including tight timeframes and demanding production requirements, we remained steadfast in our commitment to delivering a beautifully crafted movie.

The difficulties surfaced early on, particularly when we realized the extensive pre-production needed, especially for the third act, which required elaborate special effects and production design. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed and considered postponing the shoot. However, having a supportive creative partner who helped me persevere made all the difference.

During production, as we tackled the demanding third act, we faced a race against time with an abundance of shots, intricate special effects makeup, and significant production design changes, all within tight constraints. Compounding our challenges, an actor had to depart early, resulting in hurried makeup removal that caused discomfort. Despite feeling on the brink of quitting, we rallied together and successfully completed the day’s shoot.

On the final day of production, an unfortunate accident involving the lead production designer occurred, further complicating matters. Additionally, a scene requiring a bathtub proved problematic as the hot water malfunctioned, forcing the actor into freezing water. With my co-director overwhelmed and unable to direct, I assumed full directorial responsibilities to see the project through to completion.

In the end, despite the hurdles, we achieved approximately 90% of our envisioned outcome. I’m immensely proud of our cast and crew for their unwavering teamwork. This experience underscored the importance of resilience, which, for me, hinges on trust and reliance on one’s crew. Without my co-director’s support, I might have faltered, and vice versa. Together, we propelled each other forward, and I couldn’t be prouder of the resulting film. I’m eagerly anticipating its release and the audience’s reaction to “Flower.”

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

In filmmaking, I believe that before anything else, selecting the right collaborators as department heads is paramount. When embarking on our latest project, ‘Flower,’ we quickly realized the importance of this process. We aimed for a production that relied more on practical effects than heavy VFX. I had the pleasure of previously working with our SFX specialist on another shoot, and I was impressed by their work. Upon reading our script, they eagerly contributed creative ideas and helped us devise practical shooting solutions. Additionally, they assisted in assembling the rest of our talented crew.

Our production designer demonstrated a remarkable attention to detail, skillfully capturing the essence of the film through every aspect of set design. Likewise, our cinematographer showed genuine enthusiasm for the project. Understanding our budget constraints, she worked diligently to source equipment at minimal cost, even securing some items for free. This collaborative spirit, rooted in trust and a shared vision, was instrumental in managing the team and achieving our creative goals.

As a director and producer, it’s crucial to lead and guide the team effectively. I firmly believe in maintaining a positive outlook, even when faced with challenges. Instead of resorting to anger or blame, I prefer to analyze problems calmly and seek constructive solutions. When everyone is aligned with a common goal, the filmmaking process flows more smoothly. Central to this is treating every member of the team with respect and humility, recognizing the invaluable contributions each person makes to the project.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nebalshafi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nebal_shafi/