Today we’d like to introduce you to Ilayda Cetinkaya.
Ilayda, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Having been raised by strict Turkish parents in Istanbul, the arts kept me sane. I played the violin for ten years, studied acting, danced, wrote stories, and painted. My friends were used to me sticking a camera into their faces as capturing our lives was an obsession of mine.
Watching films religiously taught me a lot about life and it made me empathize with people from any culture and background, sometimes even with the villains. As humans, we get stuck in our own perspective, but somehow seeing The Dark Knight on the big screen brought someone like the Joker into my life and created a sympathy I never would have imagined. Moments like that made me appreciate the potent combination of visual, auditory and performing arts, that let movies enable the audience to experience the world through someone else’s perspective. Wanting to do that as well led me to my passion for becoming a film director.
At seventeen, I was accepted by a boarding arts high school in California called Idyllwild Arts Academy as a film major. The campus was in the middle of the woods with no reception which gave me lots of time to find my voice as a filmmaker. Then, I attended Chapman University for a BFA in Film Production with an emphasis on Directing. After graduating from college at the height of the pandemic, I got hired to write and direct web commercials for an online streetwear company called “DIPPED”.
My education taught me a lot about the creative process of filmmaking, but it also felt important to learn what to do after the post-production is complete. Movies can have such an important impact on specific communities. So after delivering a movie, finding creative strategies to reach the intended target market felt crucial. As a business, the entertainment industry champions both commercialism and artistry.
Producers oversee projects from development to distribution. They have both creative and logistical skills to get a movie or TV series made. They always know why should this film be made now. I want to be able to answer that question with a firm, clear response. So, I am grateful to say that I am now pursuing an MFA Producing degree at the AFI Conservatory.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Adapting to Western individualism after being raised in a traditional and collectivist society was eye-opening. I thought knowing English would be enough to move 6,843 miles away from home, but making content that connects with an American audience requires a deep understanding of the culture. It was a shock at the beginning but over time I began to appreciate the individualist perspective, encouraging myself to be independent.
The challenge that surprised me the most was gender bias, which I didn’t expect to face in the US. After college, my first boss suggested that I shave my hair so that I would blend in with the boys. He also called me “little grip girl” rather than my name. It felt like I had to work harder than my peers to prove myself. I felt alone at first, but it pushed me to find a support system within myself, rather than leaning on others for validation. I found a sense of community with LGBTQIA+ people and I love working with women.
There is no correlation between performance and gender in our field. I believe women shouldn’t have to behave and look masculine in order to embody strength or intelligence in any workspace. Working to be a part of the change in the industry has become an important thing for me. That being said, I believe we mirror each other and learn a lot from the people we interact with. It is a privilege to say that I met some incredible filmmakers and made great friendships along the way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a bisexual, female, Middle Eastern filmmaker, I have mainly told stories about womanhood, the LGBTQIA+ community, and mental health. To me, a great film feels like a rock in your shoe; I think about it in every step I take after watching it. Planting an idea or a question into an individual’s mind through audio-visual content has the potential to promote an inclusive society that cherishes differences rather than alienating others. I include magical realism often in my work since the element of magic simplifies things out of our perspectives; magical aspects almost eliminate prior norms and embrace innovative thinking.
During my time at Chapman, I made some short films and music videos that got into a few festivals such as; California Women’s Film Festival, Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival, Melbourne Lift-Off Film Festival, and Another Hole In The Head Film Festival.
I started my film education as a Director, but I also really enjoy Producing. It is exciting to bring my vision to life as a Director, but bringing other people’s vision to life through Producing has been both inspiring and instructive as well.
I produced three short films during my first year at AFI. I am currently working on my thesis film and a few other short films. I am also creating my portfolio, and writing an original feature film and a TV Show. After completing my degree, I plan to work in development for a production company as I develop my own materials for independent production.
Lastly, my good friends who have been supporting me through my journey as a filmmaker often mention my resilience and consistency as a strength of mine. I love telling stories and challenging the morals that we blindly follow.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
It is important to really know yourself to do any type of art. As a writer, director, or producer you need to understand where your strengths are and be able to answer why you are the right person to be the one making a certain movie or show. The film and TV Industry is a very competitive and exclusive business. You hear a lot of “No” and “I regret to inform you…”. In any industry, we should be open to criticism, but not give up on the stories that we believe deserve to be told.
I failed a few interviews by completely memorizing what I was going to say, word by word, so as not to feel insecure which prevented me from being my authentic self. When interviewing for a position, remember that you have something unique to offer them and not just begging for the opportunity. They are looking to hire someone that they would want to see every week, so show your personality. Trust me, it works better than stressing yourself out.
If you are just starting out as a filmmaker be prepared for; twelve to eighteen-hour shoot days, lack of sleep, and drinking lots of caffeine to stay awake. That being said, sharing these long and hard days with your collaborators create life-long friendships. Seeing your projects completed also gives a great sense of satisfaction after all the hard work.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @_ilaydacetinkaya_ and @ilayda.cetink
Image Credits
Leo Behrens, Garrett Hill, Harrison Bliss, Analis Martin, Jackie Domi, Sarah Megyesy, and Peter (Mack) McCollough
