Check Out Jina Chalabi’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jina Chalabi.

Hi Jina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey started in high school, spending three out of my four years in art club, where I developed a deep appreciation for the artistic field. I continued pursuing my passion for art through different mediums, and what really stuck with me was filmmaking. Growing up in a small town, it seemed almost impossible for me to pursue film, but I had a set goal in my head and would stop at nothing to achieve it. I went on to earn my associate degree in Studio Art at my local community college. As much as this was a big achievement, I felt as though I was destined for something greater. I took a big leap of faith and decided to continue my education in Los Angeles, earning my bachelor’s degree in Television Production: Narrative at California State University, Northridge. During my time at CSUN, I further developed my desire for filmmaking, working on 15+ projects that included film sets, multi-camera sets, and single-camera sets. While gaining experience in directing, writing, and cinematography, I discovered my love for production design.

Earning the roles of production designer and costume designer for my senior thesis pilot episode, “This Road Leads Nowhere,” taught me the trials and tribulations of working as a production designer on a much larger set than I was used to. While I faced challenges along the way, collaborating with my peers gave me the knowledge and confidence I have today. After completing our pilot episode, it received 8 nominations at the CSUN CTVA Television Thesis Awards Ceremony, including a nomination for Production Design. Most recently, the pilot episode will be screened at The Valley Film Festival on August 18th.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road for me. As someone who has struggled with anxiety since I was four years old, it can be very easy to let your mental health creep in and get in the way of your goals. But as much as it did creep up, I didn’t let it consume me. Although there were times when I struggled with my mental health and wanted to self-isolate, I turned to the friends I made for comfort. Being around like minded individuals who understand what you are going through can sometimes be the answer, and for me, it was.

Growing up in a small town, it felt almost too easy to isolate and have nowhere to run. Being in a different city, somewhat of a stranger, helped me grow and gain the strength I needed to live my life to its fullest potential. During my senior year at CSUN, I felt fulfilled not only educationally, but through the friendships I had made as well. I felt like I had finally found a sense of community, something I had been desperately seeking all my life.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in Production Design and Graphic Design. I knew I wanted to work in the entertainment industry since high school, but I was unsure of what specifically I wanted to pursue. Production Design came to me later in college, but for me, it has become the most creatively fulfilling and the field I am most passionate about.

I look up to production designers like the late Thérèse DePrez, who worked on Gregg Araki’s The Doom Generation, and Patricia Norris, who worked on several of David Lynch’s films. I am incredibly intrigued by detail, and Production Design allows me to explore that in depth and truly flourish. What I would say sets me apart is my attention to detail when designing a set. I look at the practical and impractical, while paying close attention to textures and colors. What would make sense for this scene? What wouldn’t? What is true to the character? What can we include to give the viewer a better understanding of their universe?

What I am most proud of is my work on my senior thesis pilot episode, This Road Leads Nowhere. With a budget of only about $1,500 for the art department, I worked incredibly hard to achieve the final result you see today. I flourish in supernatural and horror genres, and I was able to truly test my abilities while working with such a small budget.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
The role of good luck has played heavily in my life. I always try to look at things from a positive standpoint because it is easier to let bad thoughts fill your head than good ones. There have been moments in my life when I had to take a step back and pause. At the time, I didn’t understand why I was experiencing so many delays in my education and career, but looking back on it now, I understand that it simply wasn’t the right place or time for these things to develop.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/jina-chalabi/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uwujina/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jina-c-03a223245
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uwujina