Today we’d like to introduce you to Varun Verma.
Varun, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Born and raised in New Delhi India. Came to Los Angeles in 2015 fr MA in film and media production. While pursuing, I figured I enjoy the business side of the business and opted to narrow down in producing. As an Immigrant, I had one year to secure an o1 visa so that I can keep pursuing my goals. During my OPT period, I started working as a line producer, but business wasn’t that great. Initial years were very tough, paying bills and collecting fee for o1 visa itself use to leave me with money to buy mc Donald or Mac n cheese for a week. I even tried delivering organic juice for part-time.
At the end hustle kept on going, I secure my o1 visa and got three more years to work on goals. During the first year of OPT, I ended up line producing 35 music videos and seven branded commercials through Replay Collective, where I was an employee during that time. Hustle kept on going until the company went to no sales and me and my partner decided to take over the company. Since then we had clients such as Annapurna Pictures, Warner Brothers, AT&t, Snoop Dogg, chevy, EA Games, etc. Not just in commercial, studios and branded world.
But this year, I have two indie features releasing ” The Good Girl”(Producer) and “Rift.” (Co-Producer). There are exciting projects getting launched in this year which we made and unfortunately due to confidentiality reasons won’t be able to share until they get released on box office.
Has it been a smooth road?
“Success never comes to those who just dreams.” It wasn’t a smooth road at all. I have been to the stage where I had $20 a week to spend after paying rent, I have faced a bit of depression, I have faced the stress of immigration, work, bills.
Struggle of buying the first car which I did during my college years for $2200 from a friend. I live for ten months in a small studio which was a little bigger than a queen size bed and not an even a kitchen. Paid rent over there uptown $900 month.
I have worked a lot for free during my initial years just to develop networking. Spent my good amount of time in going to parties to build friendships with an investor which eventually turned out to be funders of indie movies and invested unto $700k.
At the end, I have seen stages which I believe was an important phase of my file. Without suffering through that, I won’t be able to be where I am today. It always gave me an extra push to work more hard.
Currently, I am at the stage in life where financial stability is not a goal, I drive luxury, I live in luxury. I don’t have to worry about rent, food to eat and when and where to go for vacation. At last, I can say I can do whatever I want and whenever.
But the priorities is just not to make money, is to more or achieve heights of professionalism. Successfully establish more high marks in industry, win awards, etc.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Replay Collective story. Tell us more about the business.
Replay Collective is set to be a Production company. We provide production services to narrative and commercial clients. During Initial days we are known for our major content development for youtube celebrities such as Shane Dawson, Ricky Dillon, etc. which ended up bringing us more clients such as EA Games, att, chevy, Nescafe, etc. Feel free to check the website. www.replaycollective.com
Since there are plenty of production houses in LA, we work with our employees/crew as family. Our top priority is to always take care of our people working on any particular project. Pay them well, feed them well. And as a producer trying to work more closely and always available to them in case of any requirement. For clients, we deliver a wide range of options of creatives. And our goal is to satisfy their needs by providing the solution to meet their objectives.
Replay Collective has always put an extra miles for our people and clients. We worry more about the passion than the money in business. We have always supported individuals with passion and drive.
Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc?
Entertainment business is very unexpected. It’s hard to predict for the next ten years. But I keep myself updated as per trend. I produce not only commercialized projects but also Indies like web series, documentaries and short films.
Currently, I have a documentary in pre-production about human trafficking in collaboration with NGO called Fash United.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.replaycollective.com
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