Today, we’d like to introduce you to Aryan Gupta.
Hi Aryan, 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 started in 4th grade by remaking YouTube videos with my friends. It was the catalyst that inspired my whole journey into the world of film.
Remaking videos slowly morphed into making concepts of my own, directing videos for school events, and finally, writing a small pilot for a goofy TV show I wanted to make with my friends. This made me realize that this was the future I wanted to pursue. I took the leap from there to the US and pursued film in LA. It made me realize just how much I didn’t know. That kick-started a 4-year journey of making mistakes and learning from them.
I came to LA in 2019. Five years later, I’m incredibly grateful to have learned from some of the most talented people in the industry. I’ve learned my style as a director, my work ethic as a producer, and, most of all, the privilege of doing work I can be proud of.
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?
It’s been interesting, for sure. I came here and quickly realized that I was in a world I had absolutely no experience in. It meant acknowledging that I needed to learn and, more importantly, being open-minded enough to understand the sacrifices that had to be made to get there.
It took time to build a group of creatives I admire, trust, and work with. This was the biggest challenge, but it is also my biggest asset. The film industry is brutal, with insane hours and expectations. Having a great crew by your side is always your biggest strength as a filmmaker.
The challenge I face now is working to uplift and tell South Asian stories in conventional Western media. There are wonderful stories to be told that are hidden behind decades of shame and oppression. Decades of blending in to not attract too much attention and to try to fit in. These are stories that I’m working to bring to the forefront. Wish me luck.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I base all the work I do on one simple question: “Is it fun?” I like doing work that is lighthearted, fun and makes people smile. Comedy is such an underrated and important genre. It shaped my childhood, having grown up in comedy movies. It made me realize that comedy is the best way to get a memorable message across.
Embracing that, I aim to create work that is humorous but uses comedy to get a message across that people remember. As a director who specializes in commercials, this is extremely important. Most commercials are, to be blunt, forgettable. I aim to create commercials that stick with you and stay in your memory because they make you laugh.
People have always turned to the media during tough times to get relief. I hope my work can do that.
Before we let you go, we have to ask if you have any advice for those just starting out.
My biggest advice, and one I wish I had known earlier: SHOW YOUR WORK!
Document everything, put your process out into the world. Be open with your achievements, but most importantly, be open with your failures. What sets you apart as a creative is never the end product but how you got there. I wish I had known this earlier.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.directedbyaryan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whycantiusearyan/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryan-gupta-a4a703196/
