Today we’d like to introduce you to Faissal Sam Shaib.
Faissal Sam, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, where I developed my love for film, writing screenplays, and making movies using my unenthusiastic relatives as actors. Growing up in a war-torn country, I found refuge in TV and film. I moved to the United States at age 17 to pursue my dream of becoming a filmmaker, but the journey was long, I am a cliché immigrant story where the family was against pursuing anything other than medical, law or architect. I found a filmmakers community that believed in me way before I was able to continue my education in the film despite my family’s dispositions. I worked in the film and television industry since 2006, holding several positions from coordinator to production manager and assistant director as well as writing, directing, and producing several short films some even won awards.
After I graduated from MIU with a BFA, I knew I must move to LA to officially start the journey. I knew I need some sort of support or backing in this very competitive field, so I decided to do my Masters at USC in film and television production. At USC, I focused on producing as this has been my passion all along, and I produced several award-winning thesis films. I was the recipient of the prestigious Annenberg Scholarship and became a founding member of the Diversity & Inclusion Council at the School of Cinematic Arts. Since graduation in 2017, I have worked on several projects such as a production manager for Netflix’s Making a Murderer, Season 2 and the feature film, Wyrm (2018) Production manager for Sundance film Festival Content and Outfest 2019 Labs. I am currently attached to produce two feature films. First, one is set to start production dec. 2019 “Vomen” Directed by Uttera Singh and the second one to start production in April 2020 “I am Arze” shot in Lebanon and dire ted by my sister Mira Shaib who is a filmmaker overseas.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it has not been a smooth road, and it’s true what they say, that if the one you can or know how to do anything else that they should because this industry requires perseverance, thick skin and lots of patience. The hurdles that I faced along the way and still facing I try to look at as lessons learned and keep looking ahead. Working as a freelance Producer is not easy with the financial burdens of student loans and the coast of living in Los Angeles especially. That’s why I teamed up with three fellow filmmakers each come with their own expertise and we are creating a content production company “Bury Me Creative” to launch the beginning of 2020.
Bury Me Creative – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
With Bury Me Creative we are creating an all-inclusive multimedia production company. Since I am one of the founding members, I have my hand in every department and we all collaborate to do the best work possible in a very competitive rate. Specifically, I am responsible for the producing side of all the productions. What set us apart is that we provide full-on services to the client/ business, we give them an all in one multi-media package that caters to their needs such as creative copy, print, and video.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is being proud of the work that you put out and to feel that you are giving back in the process. To be making a film or a TV show or a commercial that I am proud of, and having fun and learning new things in the process, is almost more important than how the work is perceived. You can’t worry about how people are going to react to your work because no one has a formula or a specific rule book that can be followed in this industry, so success to me is being happy while doing work that you are proud of.
Contact Info:
- Website: BuryMeCreative.com
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