Today we’d like to introduce you to Calvin Ghaznavi.
Hi Calvin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My film journey started the day my dad introduced me to Star Wars. My brothers and I fell in love instantly. We’d constantly imitate our favorite characters, from lightsaber fights to attempting to pick up objects around the house using the force. I eventually picked up my dad’s old camcorder and starting filming everything with them. Even if it wasn’t reenacting a scene, I filmed everything from our daily lives to funny skits. I remember having so much fun recording myself and directing my brothers. Little did I know, this was only the beginning.
I ended up going to Orange County School of the Arts to pursue my passion for filmmaking. There, I met countless people who loved and shared the same passion as me. We all grew so much as we collaborated on almost all the films we made. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of OCSA. OCSA helped me learn incredible things about myself, including my strengths and weaknesses regarding filmmaking. But most importantly, it strengthened the fire that continues to drive my love for making movies.
Present-day, I go to Santa Monica City College in hopes of transferring to a top film school. In the time I’ve been at SMC, I have made countless music videos and shorts to strengthen my portfolio. My current goal is to continue creating as much as I can and to meet all kinds of people to grow and create art with.
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?
Firstly, I feel that pursuing the arts is never a smooth road. I think that anyone who decides to pursue the arts is in for a long and strenuous journey. In my case, pursuing film after high school was not an easy decision considering I got rejected from film school. The film conservatory at Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) was highly competitive and by the time senior year came around, my classmates and I realized we were all battling for the same spot. I watched as all my fellow filmmakers got accepted to their dream schools while I received rejection after rejection. Initially, it was hard for me. It made me reconsider if I was even good enough to be in this ambitious industry. I doubted myself and everything that I had created at OCSA. Little did I know, this minor setback would push me further than I had ever expected. Getting rejected from film school was a wake up call. It made me realize that I was going to have to work so much harder if I wanted to reach my goal of becoming one of the greatest. Throughout my first year in college, I’ve learned more about my ability to tell stories and make movies than I ever had. I have started to apply myself and have truly used this struggle as a driving force to attain my end goal.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an 18 years old filmmaker from Irvine, California. I study film, but I specifically want to become a director. I want to direct movies for the rest of my life. I love being the head of a project that brings a vision to life. Especially when working with people who are just as passionate about film as I am. Right now, I’ve not only been working on short films but also music videos. Shooting and directing music videos have become a recent interest of mine. With most of these videos, I’ve been given complete creative control which has been an amazing experience. They’ve allowed my creativity to flow and grow beyond its past limits. At the moment, I’m most proud of a recent short film I wrote and directed. It’s about a boy and how his drug addiction affects his close relationships. It’s crazy to see how much my storytelling abilities have grown over the years. It was an amazing learning experience and I’m so excited to see my crew and I grow. I’m so lucky to have been able to work with such an amazing, talented, and passionate team. They all put so much time and effort into that project. I am forever grateful. What sets me apart from other filmmakers is my mindset. When others make movies, they may try to tell a story. We’re taught that filmmaking is all about creating a story that may follow a generic outline that has been used for years on end. But to me, filmmaking is so much more than telling a story. To me, it is about artistic expression. With my artistic expression, I want to inspire others to make movies and show people that film can be whatever you want it to be.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was extremely shy. Having two brothers didn’t help that either. Every family event or birthday party, it was always those two who were up and dancing while I sat out and watched. I never felt like I fit in or that I would look stupid if I tried. I always had issues expressing my feelings. Talking to people just scared me. But, the more I grew up, the more confident I became. The arts have helped shaped who I am today. It has allowed me to express myself without even trying.
Contact Info:
- Email: calvinghaznavi@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calvinggggggg/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDV436nfNDzqmLUhpA7VYMA
Image Credits:
Jacob Ace
