Today we’d like to introduce you to Arrad Rahgoshay.
Hi Arrad, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In my early years, I often felt like an outsider, feeling a sense of alienation in my own hometown. As one of the very few Iranian Americans, I could sense my distinctiveness deep within.
Filmmaking became my refuge, an oasis of expression in an environment that seemed indifferent to the arts. I embraced this unique interest of mine as an opportunity to excel and create something beautiful. Through film, I found an escape route, a means of channeling my anxiety that had been rooted in my childhood experiences. Filmmaking became therapeutic to me, and the joy of creation was unmatched.
Since my childhood, I harbored an unwavering ambition to become a director. By the age of 8, I was practically inseparable from my dad’s camcorder, constantly seeking out excuses to shoot anything I could. Short films, music videos, and YouTube skits – they all became my playground.
As I neared the end of my high school years, I took the leap into directing. My affinity for music, especially hip-hop, guided me toward my first opportunities. I began by offering my services for free, sneaking into concerts, networking with artists and managers, and producing content for them, ranging from concert footage to behind-the-scenes shoots and music videos. Each interaction was a stepping stone, leading to more connections and referrals.
I gained hands-on experience, serving as a Production Assistant on larger shoots and familiarizing myself with the landscape of a film set. My relationships with artists truly fueled my career’s ascension. Growing alongside artists like Tyga and Polo G, I was able to build a rapport, consistently delivering high-quality work that added value for them.
Fast forward to today, I stand amidst the legacy of hundreds of projects, a testament to my journey.
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?
My journey has been anything but smooth. The film and music industries are tough – they can knock you down time and time again. You’re going to fall, probably more than once. But the trick is to get back up every time. If you believe in a dream, chase it, no matter what. A major hurdle for me was trying to aim too high before I was ready. You need a good portfolio and some solid experience before people will trust you with their projects. I was keen to jump in the deep end before I’d even dipped my toes in the water. It took me YEARS of hard work building up my portfolio, learning how to talk to clients, and growing my confidence to get to where I am today.
A further challenge was discovering my unique voice as a director. My beginnings were rooted in music videos, where I was tasked with crafting visuals for others’ lyrics, not my own. It required years of hands-on experience on various sets to cultivate my vision and discern my strengths. The learning never stops, and every new set represents a fresh challenge and a novel hurdle to overcome.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Above all, I am a human being with a passion for storytelling. I work as a film director, originally cutting my teeth in the realm of short-form content, directing music videos for prominent artists such as Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliott, Tyga, J Balvin, and Lil Wayne. However, the achievement that fills me with the greatest pride is my recent short film, “Lioness.”
Following a series of distressing events in the fall of 2022, I devoted several months to the production of a film that sought to illuminate the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Iran, celebrating the strength of women making significant sacrifices for their freedom and basic human rights.
“Lioness” received an overwhelming response, accruing over a million views in less than 48 hours, making headlines, and now, it’s making the rounds in the film festival circuit globally. It recently clinched the title of Best Experimental Short at the Hollywood Shorts Fest. But beyond these accolades, its greatest accomplishment has been its power to instill hope among Iranians and amplify their voices during such critical times. This is what truly sets my work apart and fulfills my purpose.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The most impactful lesson I’ve learned is the importance of PROGRESS over PERFECTION. The pandemic made me realize that striving for perfection often results in inaction. Life is simply too fleeting to idly wait for opportunities to present themselves. Amid the crisis, I shifted my focus towards passion projects, ensuring that they were carried out to completion, rather than letting them linger untouched for years.
Contact Info:
- Website: arradr.com
- Instagram: @arrad
