Daily Inspiration: Meet Naomi Zika

Today we’d like to introduce you to Naomi Zika.

Hi Naomi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I first got into the creative space by writing and studying the different forms of writing. During High School, I put together a group of four other peers to create a musical called [INSERT future HERE] which I had to honor of being able to direct, produce, and write in my home town. That was my first introduction with writing professionally and I never looked back. That was my passion, though I wouldn’t saying writing musicals specifically was what I wanted to do. Ever since I was little I have had a connection to films, my dad was a huge film fanatic and he had over a thousand DVD’s that we would watch growing up. When I was trying to pick my degree, I decided to try filmmaking in my local community college club and from then I have learned so much about the industry and the different thing you could do as a career within that industry. Personally, I am a writer/director and that is truly where my passion lies, but I have also found a love for sound design and production design within the field as well. Now studying at USC for film and television production, I feel like my education within this field progressed greatly. But I would say in any art degree, you are a forever learner and especially in a degree that isn’t objective, I have loved learning from my peers and will continue to learn as much as I can from the people I meet.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think anyone can say their road to where they are now was smooth, definitely my was not. There was a lot of insecurity and fear within going into an art degree especially since my family is mainly mathematical and scientific degrees. However, I feel incredible grateful for my immediate family, they supported me no matter what and believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. Through every obstacle and fear I have had they have been there to pull me out of the dark.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am mainly a writer/director for film and television production; however, I also specialize in sound design/editing and production design. Like previously mentioned, I made a musical with my friends during my Sophomore and Junior year of high school called [INSERT future HERE] which is something I am immensely proud of today. Here is the link to the Youtube Channel with the music that we produced for the musical: https://www.youtube.com/@InsertFutureHere. But since high school, I have been focusing my craft on creating interesting and intricate stories through film. I recently just made a horror film titled Wendigo, which tested my knowledge in Production Design, Sound Design, and Storytelling since I have never really gotten into horror films as a genre. But it was fun to research and figure out how to create a creepy story through ambiance, acting, and production design. Here is the link to my Youtube where you can see some of my latest works: https://www.youtube.com/@NaomiZika-Films.

What does success mean to you?
I define success as personal gratification. I think in a degree that is incredible subjective, it is important to focus on personal growth and accomplishments instead of looking for validation outwards through financial means or comparing yourself from others. I think success comes once someone finds peace within themselves, whatever that means. Personally, I define my success in being able to tell stories that connect with people and are able to show them that they are not alone within the world with whatever they are going through. Mental health is something I have struggled with a lot in my life and I truly value making art that is able to describe what those emotions do to someone and how people are able to get out of it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naomiti24/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571949671618
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NaomiZika-Films

Image Credits
2nd Photo (CJ)
4th Photo (Madelyn Gifargis, Mia Bazo)