Today we’d like to introduce you to Apoorv Arora.
Hi Apoorv, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I remember starting off as a film student at Punjabi University in India and very soon, I developed my interest in photography. I was the one who always clicked best photographs. From photography, I learned a lot about composition and lighting and soon I started directing short films. Call it my talent or my luck but within some time, I went off to Mumbai, India for my first job in the Bollywood Industry at a renowned Production House, Balaji Telefilms, and started working there as a Creative and Assistant Director. I was fortunate enough to work with MTV at the same time. I got the opportunity to see the real world and how it is done in the industry and by just looking at things, I started to develop my interest in Producing. My work ethic and hard work but also my friends and helping nature allowed me to develop some good industry relationships through which I stepped into Producing. I started with producing and co-producing music videos and soon it went on a bigger level where I was able to associate myself as a producer with a very big music label in India called Speed Records. Since then, I have never looked back. I came to the United States to attend the New York Film Academy and learned about the Hollywood Industry and international business in Producing.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life has been good to me. I believe in God and I also know that he is watching on me. Sure, the path was rocky and it’s never easy for anyone. I read this in a book, “Straight roads never made skillful drivers”. Everyone has their own challenges and so did I. It was hard to leave my comfort zone back in my hometown in India, where everything was served on a platter. I miss that but I knew that it wasn’t taking me anywhere in life. So, I came to the United States all by myself and lived alone, cooked alone, ate alone. Understanding the workflow in the industry in the U.S was another one. It took many nights of hard work and uncountable hours of set life to get to where I am now. Thanks to my parents, who have always supported me along the way.
No dream is too big and no dreamer is too small, ‘And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it’. One of my favorite quotes is from the movie Rocky “Let me tell you something you already know, the world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done”.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the founder and CEO of Apoorv Arora Films LLC based in Los Angeles. I work as a Producer/Creative Producer on all my productions and motion picture sets. People and my team call me the Problem Solver and the Negotiator. I plan and coordinate various aspects of film production, such as selecting the script; coordinating writing, directing, and editing; and arranging finance. My job includes hiring staff for the production, such as the director, crew, and, sometimes the cast. I am involved in coordinating the activities of writers, directors, managers, actors, and other personnel throughout the production process. I make sure the filming is done safely, creatively, on budget, and on time.
Recently I have been working with a lot more Artists of color and I am a supporter of the LGBTQ community and I’m proud of that. In 2021, I produced a couple of music videos with artists of color. One of them is “Come To Me” by J.Breckenridge. It’s a single debut. J is a Broadway artist from the Book of Mormon play. He can be seen most recently on the 2020-21 season of The Blacklist (CBS) and Blue Bloods (NBC). This music video got published in the Playbill Magazine. https://www.
“Come to Me” Music Video – https://www.youtube.com/
The other Music Video was I produced is called ‘‘Olorun Maje” by Sir Boyò, which means “God Forbid” in English. The video contains elements of symbolism and abstract art while conveying impactful lyrical content that discusses themes of hope and spirituality. Olorun Maje is the Best Music Video Award winner at the Frostbite International Indie Film Festival, Direct Monthly Online Film Festival, and Couch Film Festival. The music video is Semi-Finalist and Finalist at many other film festivals.
“Olorun Maje” Music Video – https://www.youtube.com/
I have a team of producers, directors, cinematographers I work, and together we have produced films, shorts, music videos, commercials, fashion films, and all the flashy stuff. I have produced more than 40 music videos with videos over 400 Million views on YouTube and have also produced Indian TV ads and promos for Disney’s Frozen 2, a Walt Disney Movie, giving myself a decent encounter of this industry.
Frozen 2 Commercial – https://www.youtube.com/
BTS – https://www.youtube.com/
I have worked with various filmmakers and creatives from Mumbai (Bollywood) to Los Angeles, USA (Hollywood). Some of the recognized people and groups I have worked include actors and singers like Priyanka Chopra, Diljit Dosanjh, Preity Zinta, Jacqueline Fernandez, Austin Mahone, Ammy Virk, B Praak, Mankirat Aulakh, Parmish Verma, Jassie Gill, Bohemia, Sidhu Moose Wala, 838 Media Group, Tara Who?, J.Breckenridge, Speed Records, The Walt Disney Company, White Hill Studios, and Balaji Telefilms, MTV to name a few.
There is no stream on this planet earth, where there isn’t competition but that doesn’t make me or my company compare ourselves with others, for instance, Rolls Royce and Ferrari are both carmakers but they don’t compare themselves to one another as they are two completely different brands who sell products at completely different ends of scale. All around the world people have dreams and their vision, my company has the talents to fulfill those dreams. What can be more beautiful than fulfilling someone’s dreams and feeling self-fulfilled and accomplished?
I believe Los Angeles is the best city where I could see me and my film production company flourishing. There is a lot of competition in this city. If someone is starting out, I would recommend them to get the basics right. They should have some knowledge of the industry and the ins and outs. I advise to start with a film school and learn as much as you can. All I would like to tell the newcomers is that you get one life with multiple opportunities and so you should try to seize every opportunity you can in this life. LA has got everything and so this is the place to make your dreams come true.
What’s next?
Looking back at myself as a very keen intellective kid in front of the mirror and imitating astronomically immense actors. It always felt delectable. For me, life was always on a sizably voluminous canvas, and to achieve the goal that makes me different from the crowd. I have always believed in living my dreams. Given the confluence of my personal and professional fascinations, I aim to magnify it in the world of filmmaking. I optate Apoorv Arora Films to be the A List Production House in the Industry.
Work-wise I am working on two independent feature film projects as Executive Producer and Producer. These projects are in development and pre-production as of now so can’t share much details. I recently finished producing a short film based on Black Lives Matter that we are sending to festivals soon and a couple more shorts and a music video projects are in Development. We also are planning for a collaborative fashion campaign for different brands with our production company. I am very much looking forward to that.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@apoorvarorafilms.
com - Website: https://www.
apoorvarorafilms.com/ - Business Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/apoorv_arora_ films/ - Personal Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/apoorvarora_10/
Image Credits
Aura Yeh Aayush Gaur
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