Today we’d like to introduce you to Unni Rav.
Hi Unni, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born into a very traditional Indian family in South India, specifically in Kochi, Kerala, along the southwestern coast of India. From a very young age, I was immersed in a world filled with diverse textures, vibrant colors, picturesque backwaters, iconic Chinese fishing nets, and a tapestry of European and Dutch churches. My heart gravitated toward exploring architectural wonders, and I cherished these solitary wanderings. I’ve always been an introvert, preferring the company of only a handful of close friends and avoiding large social gatherings. I’ve often described myself as someone who keeps a low profile.
During my school years, I grappled with undiagnosed dyslexia, which took a toll on my academic performance. To shield my self-esteem from the blows dealt by my struggles, I sought refuge in the world of drawing and painting. Creating visual art became my sanctuary, allowing me to translate the beauty of the world around me into captivating visual compositions. Though my dyslexia remained undetected for a while, during those early years, it was assumed that I would not excel in the conventional fields of success, such as medicine, law, or engineering. Fortunately, this opened the door for me to follow my true passions in photography, animation, and graphic design.
After completing high school, I made the move to Mumbai to pursue a course in Graphic Design and Advertising. Following my diploma, I embarked on an internship journey in 2D and 3D Animation with Toonz Animation, India Pvt. Ltd., a prominent media company with two decades of unmatched experience and a reputation as one of Asia’s leading animation production studios. Not long after, in 2006, I decided to take a leap of faith and relocated to San Francisco to pursue a graduate degree in 3D Animation at the Academy of Art University. Witnessing my growing confidence, my parents extended their full support to this pivotal decision. This step in my journey ultimately unlocked my deeper potential as an artist.
The head of the Photography Department at the Academy of Art University, Mr.Jim Wood, recognized my exceptional talent in both photography and storytelling. Encouraged by their insight, I made the pivotal decision to switch my major to Photojournalism and Documentary Photography. Upon graduation, I had the privilege of working alongside the world-renowned documentary photographer Colin Finlay. His remarkable achievements, including receiving the esteemed Picture of the Year International (POYi) award six times, underscored his prominence in the field. Colin’s work graced the pages of prestigious publications like Wired, GOOD, U.S. News and World Report, Los Angeles Times Magazine, Asia Week, Communication Arts, and Discovery, among many others. Furthermore, his photographs found their permanent homes in renowned institutions such as the George Eastman House, the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, LACMA, and MOCA.
Right after I started working as a freelance photographer, one of my clients was Lonely Planet Magazine, the largest travel guidebook and digital media publisher in the world, where I shot seven significant feature articles. This publication has a readership of over 200,000 per month and is known for its extraordinary photography. I also worked for other publications like AARP, San Francisco Tenderloin Development Corporation, a few non-profits such as Global Oneness Projects, Handicap International, etc. I also did a few commercial shoots for tech companies in the Bay Area. As I was always interested in films and filmmaking, I began doing BTS (behind-the-scenes) photography for indie feature films in the Bay Area. This is when I met cinematographer Ed Ng. Ed quickly became a mentor and sparked my interest in cinematography. So, in 2012, I started my own photo and video production business, operating in the Bay Area and L.A. I worked on many projects as a cinematographer, including documentaries, commercials, corporate films, indie feature films, and shorts. Clients include Calvin Klein, Burger King, Harley Davidson, Target, Macy’s, AARP, Beautyrest, and many others.
In 2020, I started my film production company, Visual Narrative Films. Our first indie feature, Lost Inside, is now streaming on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. In addition, several of our narrative short films have received recognition in international film festivals. My production company produces, and I also work as a cinematographer on these projects. It excites me to say that 2023-24 will be a very productive period. We have four feature films going into production. Looking toward the future, I feel invigorated and newly inspired.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing in this life is easy. At least, that is my story. From struggling with dyslexia, which went undiagnosed my entire childhood, and the anxiety this caused—worrying that I might not live up to my parent’s expectations— to immigrating to the USA and pursuing a career in an uncommon field for an immigrant. I have always had to prove myself. I was naturally left-handed, which was not accepted by my family. So, I was forced to be right-handed. I now understand that such stresses are not necessary. In my experience, the combination of disappointment, fear, anxiety, and self-doubt led me to discover my passion for the visual arts. As I matured, I developed a stutter. I believe this constant rewiring of my brain may have something to do with this. Just like everything else, I have worked with and worked through my stutter. Success for me has always meant overcoming challenges.
Studying in the USA on a limited student visa presented new obstacles once I decided I wanted to stay and make my career here. Finding any work visa for an immigrant, especially if you are in the field of arts and you want to work independently, is tricky. As my natural instinct is to create solutions for my problems, I pivoted and did as many small gigs as I could to build relationships, accumulate publications, and establish some client rapport. This helped me attain a self-petitioned artist visa known as the “O1 Visa.” Over time, this visa opened doors, eventually leading to an EB-1 Visa, which, in turn, granted me permanent residency.
Going forward, I decided to start my own production company, which again has limitations and struggles attached to it; the lack of start-up capital, clients, and partners were all good reasons to give up. If that was not enough, the industry was divesting in professional photographers due to the rise of amateur pics being uploaded immediately to the web.
Hard work and savings allowed me to pursue what I am most passionate about. I have always had the confidence to follow my talent and pursue what I love doing. All the challenges and struggles have fueled my tenacity and given me a strong sense of gratitude, especially for those mentors and guides who saw something and took the time and effort to share and challenge me to become the passionate cinematographer I am today. It has not been an easy path—and I am sure many challenges await me as I continue to advance in my journey—but I am excited to take the next steps and see where they take me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a cinematographer and entrepreneur. I am building my career as a narrative cinematographer and building a strong presence in the Bay Area and LA indie filmmaking community. I am also the founder of Visual Narrative Films, a comprehensive production and media company specializing in indie feature film production, post-production, distribution, design, and financial services. Our website is www.visualnarrativefilms.com.
As a cinematographer, my passion is deeply rooted in the art of visual storytelling. I am particularly drawn to the realm of bold, experimental work and am actively seeking opportunities to engage in visually daring projects. What truly fuels my love for cinematography is its neverending learning process, where I am constantly inundated with creative ideas on how to efficiently and effectively convey a narrative visually.
Most of my works is independent feature films and short films, often within tight budget constraints. Navigating these limitations while achieving the desired visual impact is undoubtedly an art in itself. I thrive when working with directors who challenge me and push me to explore new compositions, camera movements, and angles. This collaborative process is where I find my greatest inspiration and fulfillment.
As the founder of Visual Narrative Films, I possess a solid understanding of the dynamics within the independent filmmaking business and am keenly aware of the continuous changes occurring in this industry. We have four projects in the pipeline for 2023-24. We have just wrapped production on our latest indie feature, “The Lemurian Candidate,” which we are co-producing with “Crossing Bridges Films.” Our first indie feature, Lost Inside (2021), is available on AppleTV and Amazon Prime streaming services. We have four new indie features in development for 2023-24. In addition to indie features, our work with narrative short films has received accolades and recognition from renowned international festivals: LA International Shorts, Cannes, Blackmagic Collective Film Festival, and Montreal Independent Film Festival.
With partner SyncDesign (www.syncdesigninc.com), my company also does volume-based e-com product videos for major clients such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, Macy’s, JCPenney, Beautyrest, among others.
What are you most proud of?
I have been very fortunate. I have received the O-1 Visa, which is reserved for individuals of achievement and acclaim in their field. My photographic documentaries have been showcased in Lonely Planet Magazine (Gotham Lives; Maya-Mexico; American Dreams), as well as other notable publications and galleries (The Rostel Gallery; Casa Escorza Gallery; Empire Seven Studios, etc).
I have feature films streaming on major platforms. I have been awarded for my work, which is a sign that my peers accept and celebrate my efforts. Perhaps the thing I am most proud of is: knowing that I was able to confide in my talents and my love for visually documenting and telling stories. I have made a career of my passion for cinematography—and I have my family’s complete support. I have managed all of this in the face of many obstacles. For this, I feel a sense of wellness, as well as personal and professional pride.
What sets you apart from others?
Talent can be enriched to some degree. However, the thing which sets me apart from someone else must be my unique personal story and perspective. The way I see the world and process that through my own experiences with the greater human story. This is what sets me apart from others.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Book: The Storytelling Animal By Jonathan Gottschall and The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better
App: Blackmagic Cam (2023), Filmic Pro and PhotoPills
Podcasts: Team Deakins, A24Podcast, NoFilmSchool, Indie Film Hustle
Resources: ShotDeck.com, CineD.com, Gointothestory.blcklst.com, TheASC.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.unnirav.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/unniravdop/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/unniravdop/
- Twitter: www.imdb.com/name/nm5636470/
- Other: www.visualnarrativefilms.com
