Today we’d like to introduce you to Azwan Badruzaman.
Hi Azwan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Western Massachusetts. Growing up in Amherst, MA (aka “the Happy Valley”), I was a bit of a wild child with lots of creative energy. The two most important gifts I received were an electric guitar and a cheap camcorder. The ladder I would use as a tool for many ridiculous home videos with my childhood friends. I found a second home at the local public access station, Amherst Media, where I learned to produce skits, short films, music videos, and even a feature. My high school years came, and I dove deep into my dreams of becoming a rockstar, joining multiple bands, playing live, and producing a number of recorded albums. I eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue music, but I soaked up the film scene like a sponge and got back into my first love of making movies. I landed a position at NBCU as a video editor and then to IndieWire as a video producer/editor. In that time, I have acted in and directed a handful of films, my latest “Farmer Ed” playing at multiple film festivals nationwide. I now reside in the valley with my lovely wife, Mary, and my sweet pooch Charlotte.
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?
Trying to make films is the most difficult task I’ve ever had to do but also one of the most rewarding. I also have a tendency to wear as many hats as I can, including writing, directing, acting, editing, producing, and composing. And of those, writing can be the most painful. Creating a story where all the pieces fit together, is personal, entertaining and subverts cliche can be like trying to complete a Rubik’s cube blindfolded. Beyond that, securing funding, logistical issues, editing for months, festival rejection, crippling self-doubt, it’s all a mountain of challenges. But once you’ve scaled that mountain and connected with others, it can be truly fulfilling. For the record, I love writing!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I make films; I also have a past life as a musician. I’m most proud of my recent short film, “Farmer Ed,” which is a horror/comedy about a farmer who finds a talking brain on his property and decides to hide it from his wife. For whatever reason, growing up, I was always influenced by a bunch of oddballs, be it music or film. On the film side: David Lynch, Coen Brothers, Tim Burton, Cronenberg, and on the music side, Primus, Beck, and David Bowie. All these singular artists inspired me to keep pushing my voice to do something unique, strange, and always personal.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
People who deserve credit are my guitar teacher Doug Hewitt who got me to sing even though I only wanted to shred. Miles Disney my biggest fan, Nikhil Melnechuk my childhood friend who executive produces my projects. My mother Maria Gonzalez who encouraged my creativity and my ever-supportive wife Mary Abgarian for everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://azwanfilms.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azwanicus/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/azwanb/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azwan-badruzaman/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AzwanFilms
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/azwanb
