Today we’d like to introduce you to Youstina Sadek.
Hi youstina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a naturally very curious person. I often feel compelled to do something – anything – to understand what I don’t understand, to shift from curious to knowing. When I found myself attracted to the entertainment industry – or really, curious about it, I stopped at nothing to get a foot in the door. I emailed over 100 production companies offering pro bono labor. I offered to pick up trash on set, to hold bags, fetch items – anything and everything, I was game. I wanted to challenge my perspective and explore the depths of this field from a side not often visible to the viewing public. I didn’t even know what I didn’t know, and I had no intention of making this my career. 100 + emails later, the phone rings and I land an assistant job to three really funny friends – director, a producer and an actor. The three of them decided to start a production company, and the rest is truly history.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I thought of suffering and our faith but without beating God over their heads, I thought I would just spread light and maybe someone would be curious and ask me about it later. I also don’t want to go into anything too personal as far as struggles and hardship in the industry because the stories are not light hearted, like there is no grey struggle only dark days in film. So I don’t want to give any actual examples.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At some point early on, I worked in post production sound then I was a caption writer. It is exactly what it sounds like- writing word for word what the actors said. Pause film. Type. Click Play. Pause film. Type. Click Play. All day. Big fun. I knew that my relationship on a computer in a dark room was over and wanted to get an on set job. I went into the reality tv world for a couple of years as an art assistant, which led me to brighter decisions. I learned the precise role of crew members in the Art Department +. Then I was introduced to a Director who brought me on to work on music videos and commercials, that’s where I spent my “hands on” years of toil. I did florals, food styling, played the role of a Leadman, a Buyer, basically all the jobs one could have under the Art Department. I aimed for as much time in the Art Department as possible.
Today, I am working mostly on independent films as a Production Designer. Production Designers are the head of the Art Department, internationally, that title is interchangeable with Art Director. I also enjoy getting called in to work as a Prop Master. I mostly get hired on for horror films, which is funny because they scare me. But it is because I specialise in blood and There Will Be Blood.
A goal of mine is to work in practical (special) effects. probably doing pyrotechnics. I am unsure what the future is made of but probably a blood knife with an internal pump, nothing computer generated, and prosthetic limbs.
There is a sure indication in talent for all crew positions. I feel like what sets me apart is I am insatiably curious and I work that into my life on a subconscious level.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I have written about this before actually. People who were born and raised here have a calm nature. I love the sun, the food, the open mics, the underground rap houses, there is deeply rooted cultural diversity. I love walking down the street and hearing different languages. Some of the things that I am neutral to is that, they call LA, the city of broken dreams and they meant it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://youstinasadek.com
- Instagram: Sojourningart
