Rising Stars: Meet Abhilasha FNU

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abhilasha FNU. 

Hi Abhilasha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
It all started from an assignment of creating a 2 minutes short film in 2 days during my Master’s in Journalism and Mass Communication, back home in India. We were asked to build a story and get it approved in an hour class on the spot and just go and shoot. The purpose was to let us figure out the challenges before, while & after shooting a film ( pre to post). It was an exercise to begin our visual communication classes. But who knew it was the beginning of my life, this new life, the journey I am in now, of acceptance and realising my artistic instincts. After doing that short film- writing, directing, operating, editing without any prior knowledge of filmmaking, I was appreciated in my class for my visual sense and storytelling. I was challenged by my teacher (I took it on me, the challenge!) that I won’t be able to show a story of 4 characters in 2 minutes but I managed, somehow. Honestly, it’s a film shot with One plus6 and the cast being my brother & best friends, it’s not a film to be nominated for Oscars but if that didn’t happen, I won’t be talking here for sure.

The moment when my edited version was getting exported, the feeling was surreal and I never felt this thrill in my life, after this, I kept playing with the camera and delved into photography for a while, still continuing journalism, trying to ignore my true calling, filmmaking. But even after I started working in India’s national news channel, Doordarshan, that was a goal in my life, I didn’t feel as thrill as making a movie!

Being a person who I am, if I feel something strongly, I do make a decision and I did. I decided to study filmmaking after my master’s. And I came to the New Film Academy, Los Angeles.

The person I am, I felt LA will understand me, it has the freedom to express and not care. And I love being expressive.

First month in LA, and this being my first international stay, away from my family & friends, my comfort zone didn’t scare me, in fact, I felt more responsible and excited to be on my own.

A new world, it is in filmmaking. The school teaches you what goes all around it and it has so much! I was overwhelmed but looking forward to each day. But then a pandemic happened just after a month when I arrived in LA. That was a tough time being an international student, but I had my support around. To be honest, pandemic helped me to explore my art skills in abstract paintings, sketching & poetry. Having zoom classes in your room made it easier for me to doodle on a white sheet and within some time painting and sketching became my way of expressing, venting out, resolving my past, and realizing how important my present is. Some say my art is scary but intriguing. Some say it is a brutal expression and I can’t disagree with any of them.

I then soon made an art page on Instagram @abyssartsy and people soon started asking for my paintings.

But my film career was suffering in so many ways, but I accepted the time, I just wrote and learned in classes as much as I can have my attention span (just being honest).

In July 2020, we had permission to start shooting with respect to covid protocols from school. Many were scared to be on set but we made sure we shoot with people we know like our neighbors who are film students too (solution to a problem).

Since that, I haven’t stopped. I have been part of more than 60 productions in 2.5 years.

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?
Nothing has been easy, but I also see life as a playground, and all I need is to keep playing with anything that comes up.

I have learnt that struggles are mostly within, internal to achieve things or at least attempt to achieve something. Building a great bond with yourself and believing in yourself is the key to moving forward.

But some external challenges for me were I was inexperienced in filmmaking before coming to film school and then covid-19 happened which stopped my learning on the ground.

To work on leading positions, people required set experience and I had none. But that didn’t stop me. I started working as a Covid compliance officer on student sets, which was an urgent and necessary requirement and unknown to do. My professors noticed potential in me and from there I was picked for my first feature film, with now having set experience and ability to excel in any pursuit given.

Now in 2.5 years of my filmmaking career, I have worked on more than 60 productions including 8 features and 4 tv shows. I work as a script supervisor, head of department making sure each department is working in the right direction in respect to the screenplay and directors’ vision.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a professional script supervisor currently working in Hollywood. I have recently been awarded for ‘Best art creator’ at a film festival for a feature film, ‘I Rise’ starring famously known Tamara Eteimo, for which I painted 30 canvases and was also the script supervisor. The film was awarded in 6 categories in total at Christian Online film festival 2022.

One of the recent feature I have worked on , ‘ A miracle before Christmas’ directed by LazRael Lison is scheduled to be premiered on 8th December 2022 on BET+, starring Emmy-awarded Keith David, LeToya Luckett, Romeo Miller, Demetrius Shipp Jr, Paula Jai Parker, and Porscha Coleman.

I have been living a full-fledged filmmaking journey and worked with award-winning artists and celebrities like Golden Globe-nominated actor Eric Robert, Satellite Award-winning actress Tori Spelling on “@home with Tori,” Grammy-nominated Leon Bridges on music documentary, “Leon Bridges — Life From Gold-Diggers Hotel” in association with Spotify and Object & Animal, with Amrit Maan on “Bismillah”.

I have worked with critically acclaimed directors like Joel Novoa (director of “Cobra Kai” and “Arrow”), Jensen Neon (best director 2018 Mediterranean Film Festival Cannes), and Emmy-awarded Shannon Joy Rodgers.

I am a member of Women in Films, Women in Color Unite, and International documentary association (IDA) believing diversity, inclusivity, and community to make an impact as a whole.

In 2022, I was signed as an NFT artist ‘Akukusart’ and managed by G-ED UP ENTERTAINMENT. I have 10k NFT on Opens as ‘Akukushead’

And I have future work already signed up for a trilogy horror film, tv-series, and some other film and television projects for the next 3 years.

I think what sets me apart from others are my soft skills and interaction with creativity and humans and attention to detail.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Sincerity towards what you are working and being respectful and dedicated to your work are the keys that have worked for me.

This world is in need and seeks genuineness, and that’s all one has to be, and the right people will come across.

Also, working towards what you are manifesting with genuine heart and soul. Never let a mistake to question your path, but make sure to register, think and work on the mistake and try to not do it again.

To network, I suggest people to attend events, festivals and join film-based communities, groups, and don’t be shy to reach out. Because as I said earlier, this world seeks genuineness and driven people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sudin.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abhikuku/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abhilasha.kumar.16/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AbhilashaFnu
• Other: https://linktr.ee/abhilasha_fnu

Image Credits
Peter Rickey
Lu Mendoza
Keida Moscaro