Today we’d like to introduce you to Dhruv Sud.
Hi Dhruv, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a Writer, Director, Producer, and Script Supervisor currently based in Brooklyn. Born in the United Arab Emirates, I lived in Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. I moved to New York over a decade ago and have (mostly) been here ever since. I’d like to think that my upbringing as a third (and fourth, and fifth, and so on…) culture kid has been fundamental to the formation of my artistic perspective. Empty houses. Suitcases. Soaring above the vast and sparkling ocean. That was my childhood definition of normal. I grew up as a queer person, predominantly in countries where homosexuality is outlawed. Film and television were the first places I ever saw other queer people and experienced a sense of community. Ultimately, my passion for filmmaking arises from my desire to one day provide the same feeling of recognition for someone else.
I am a BAFTA Newcomer and an inaugural recipient of The Joel Schumacher / Sophia Cranshaw Scholarship Award from the Gotham Film and Media Institute. I find myself drawn to dark comedy and melodrama, often dealing with themes of queerness, community dynamics, racial identity, immigration, or privilege. As a queer immigrant of color, it is my mission to create work about the communities that I am explicitly a part of. I want to tell stories that help to spark a free dialogue about the complexities of queer sexuality and stories that are formulated by my perspective and life as a BIPOC.
My directorial debut, the short film THE CORONATION, premiered in competition at the 38th edition of the Miami Film Festival in 2021. My upcoming film, INSTAGAYS, is supported by Film Independent and The Gotham Film & Media Institute. I have also helped create branded content for Trojan and YouTube Pride and social content with thousands of views and likes. Prior to my writing and directing career, I’ve worked in fashion production and in development and received my MFA from Columbia University. I think it’s important to wear many hats when pursuing a career in film and television. In addition to my work as a Writer and Director, I work in commercial production and also have been fortunate to work as a Script Supervisor on a number of incredible projects. This allows me to be on a variety of sets every year and work in a number of different roles.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
From a young age, I have been aware of the institutionalized discrimination that people of my background face. I have been stopped, searched, and asked to provide documentation by local police forces in multiple countries I’ve lived in or visited in. I’ve operated within oppressive regimes; Taiwan is currently the only country that I lived in growing up that has legalized same-sex marriage while simultaneously celebrating the positive aspects of their cultures. This has imbued me with a passion for nuanced storytelling, an attitude that permeates through all of my pursuits and written work. Unfortunately, I fear that it is still so much more difficult for people who are not normative to work in this industry, and I have personally been put in situations where I am forced to try and justify why writing about my community matters or is of interest to the outside world. Which is a disheartening experience but a reality of the industry in its current state. I think that is why it’s important to have a thick skin in this industry and have a lot of irons in the fire, so to speak. But I would also like to say that I am so grateful for the amazing mentorship I have had and the creative collaborations that I have been able to sustain in this career. I wouldn’t be able to pursue this career without the amazing creative community I have built here in New York over the last decade.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I aspire to become a part of a wave of vibrant film-making that expands and complicates representation beyond the traditional scope in media. I hope to work as a Writer, Director, Producer, and Script Supervisor in film and television and build upon the work I have created thus far in my career. My first short film, The Coronation, is available to view in collaboration with the non-profit The Foundation for Arts & Healing. l think the best way to authentically represent a community and make sure they have a voice in the creative process is to tell personal stories. Stories that are influenced by and are configurations of the multitudes of experiences each individual person has. In my career, I hope that I can be empowered and empower others to convey something personal and honest about the communities that I am a part of. I also hope to support other artists who grapple with their own relationships with power structures and continue to collaborate with my trusted peers and creative advisors.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The importance of collaboration! I’m a huge believer in the collective process of filmmaking. I was trained at a film school where we were encouraged to try out every role on set and have a base understanding of the duties involved in production. I think that is why my career is so eclectic and that has proven to be an asset in many situations in my work life. Every person on a film, commercial, or television set is an artist and professional, and it’s important to respect their craft and uphold their artistry. I think that’s when the best collaborations occur!
Contact Info:
- Website: dhruvsud.com
Image Credits
Shan Jiang
Harry Sherman
