Meet Diliana Deltcheva of Gravina Films in Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Diliana Deltcheva.

Diliana, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in Bulgaria at end of the communist regime. My parents were both Olympic gymnasts, but instead of following in their footsteps, I decided to pursue my interest in the performing arts, which they strongly encouraged.  I began training in classical ballet at a very young age. After moving to the United States in high school, I diversified into other styles of dance such as contemporary, hip-hop and modern, all building the foundation for my dance/choreography career, which peaked in my mid-twenties.

Working with dancers was absolutely thrilling, but I knew that I wanted to tell stories on the big screen, so I enrolled in film school with a focus on acting and directing. I moved to Los Angeles after school in order to pursue a career in entertainment. My dream was to produce and direct movies, but I had no idea where to start.

My new life here was more expensive, and I was quickly reminded that I need to make money – fast. I’d been supporting myself since I was 17, working in restaurants, so the hustle wasn’t new to me. I looked for gigs that would put me in proximity to any part of the entertainment industry.  To make ends meet, I was a production assistant for numerous TV shows and events, before landing a full-time position as an Executive Assistant at Framework, an entertainment marketing production company.

There, I worked closely with the Executive Producer, soaking up everything I could about the ins and outs of production. The most valuable knowledge I gained was about client relations, managing projects, and leadership. I knew how to roll up my sleeves and get things done, which resulted in the rapid expansion of the company, and my new position as a Producer!

Over the next five years I produced hundreds of TV and Film marketing campaigns for high profile companies such as Universal, Warner Brothers, Viacom, Discovery, brands like Panasonic, Dove, Fiat, working with many A-list celebrities. I left Framework (a company that I still consider family ) to expand my horizons and  consulted for Stadium, a boutique creative agency. There I deepened my grasp on advertising and sharpened my producer tools, while overcoming creative and logistical challenges under high pressure.

Today, I work as a freelance producer and co-owner of Gravina Films, a production company I started with my husband last year. In addition to producing branded content for clients like Netflix and Lyft, I’ve also been able to focus on my true passion – Making movies!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Of course it’s been challenging, especially keeping my priorities in line, when facing the unknown.  There are sometimes feeligs of doubt and periods of fog and confusion. I’ve had to take daunting  risks and make difficult decisions.  At times like that what keeps me going is  gratitude for my accomplishments and laser focus on what truly makes me happy. I also remind myself of the following quote by David Bowie.

“I think it’s terribly dangerous for an artist to fulfill other people’s expectations. If you feel safe in the area that you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.”

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Gravina Films story. Tell us more about the business.
Gravina Films is the perfect synthesis of Pre and Post production. My husband Jack is a professional editor and composer, so between the two of us, you get the full package! Since our passions align, it is very fulfilling building this company together.  We currently have two short films in festivals and are in pre-production for a third (Scheduled to shoot end of November).  This is just the exciting beginning for Gravina Films, as we have several features in development.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I am a firm believer that luck comes when you show up. If you dedicate yourself, keep trying when you fail, trust your intuition, strive for better and expect the best, you will experience an abundance of luck. I am very lucky to be surrounded by exceptional family, friends, colleagues, and creative muses, who encourage me and are also willing to give me that tough love that transforms.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.thebadzebra.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @diliana_deltcheva
• Other: https://www.gravinafilms.com/

Image Credit:
Jack Gravina, Christina Ochoa, Tyler Branch, Salvador Lleo

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