Today we’d like to introduce you to A. Shoaib Khan
Hi A. Shoaib, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Pakistan but grew up moving all over the world due to my dad’s career in the military. I’m incredibly fortunate for this experience because it allowed me to learn and engage in very different cultures and ideologies other than my own and provided me a framework in understanding people better.
Moving around ever 2 or 3 years was difficult at times, always being the new kid and having to let go of a life I had just built but it also strengthened me in many ways and allowed me to find my true passion in life because the one thing that stayed consistent throughout and that I could find anywhere I went were movies.
I became obsessed with them and loved being able to escape into another reality or narrative for two hours at a time. The solace I found in movies was truly something special and I realised fairly early that I wanted to be able to offer this comfort to others and that’s where my path truly came to inception.
Life however is never as straightforward as that, there’re always distractions, commitments and obligations that need to be fulfilled or take precedent and one of them was finding a solid back-up for such a tumultuous industry like film.
My family persuaded me into pursuing law first but with the promise that afterwards, if I felt filmmaking truly was my calling that they would wholeheartedly support this and true to their word and love for me they indeed did.
My parents are two of the hardest workers I know and I owe everything to them, even doing law was a blessing in disguise because it allowed me to get a better understanding of how the world operated.
However I realised it wasn’t for me and that if I was going to do something for the rest of my life, I might as well make it an attempt at something I truly loved; fortunately they understood that.
Six months or so after that decision I found myself in Los Angeles studying filmmaking and I have never regretted it. Life here has its ups and downs but you have an innate sense of when you’re on the right path: it’s something in your very core that tells you.
After moving here I have been racking up on my knowledge of filmmaking, the different schools of thoughts and approaches along with steadily increasing my body of work. I started out as a grip and learned the ropes of the set but now almost exclusively assistant direct or direct, two roles which I have gained my expertise and found a home in.
Right now I’m in the midst of pre-production for my thesis and although the stress of it can be high at the same time it is matched by my excitement. I can’t wait for the next chapters of my filmmaking journey to unfold.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It certainly has not! As previously mentioned life has a way of constantly putting obstacles or detours in one’s path. I feel like my entire life has been that in some shape or form in order to get myself onto the track I am today. Though, for every struggle and difficulty I am eternally grateful because they tested me in ways I never expected and enabled me to raise myself up and reach beyond what I thought was possible. The fact that I’m here today having the opportunity to tell my story means I probably made a few right decision along the way!
I think some of the biggest struggles have been personal ones. Generally I consider myself a reserved and closed off person but in the world of storytelling that can be a massive hinderance to an artist who istrying to express his sensibilities. Really stepping out of my mental blockades was a huge leap forward for me and it’s definitely still a journey I am on. It’s instilling me with more courage and confidence than ever before.
I used to doubt my abilities to do things all the time no matter how little or big the task might be, now I look forward to the challenge.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m primarily known and utilised as an Assistant Director to productions. I think I definitely have a knack for it. Organising and speaking to the various members of the crew, ensuring time efficient, scheduling, mediating as well as overseeing set ups that are taking place on the sets I run are skill sets I have a knack. I definitely think it’s a balancing act between being someone the crew likes but also respects enough that when a time crunch happens, as it inevitably does, that they are willing to accommodate and adhere to stricter timelines. I think my background in law definitely helped with this sense of management and speaking to others.
In turn, this growth in my skillset, as well as personal perspective as a Director has led to me getting more offers to direct. As such, I’m glad it took the time it did as it allowed me to garner more experience, see what worked and what didn’t, the key takeaway from all this being: a decision is better than indecision.
Not to sound conceited but I think I’m most proud of my own films and development. With each one I’ve DIRECTED I’ve seen a progression in my capabilities as a storyteller. My ability to convey the vision that exists in my head to the screen grows sharper and sharper.
I think the biggest lessons I learnt were in directing, in particular my short titled ‘Death of The Party’ which is my biggest directing production to date. Overnight shoots, managing whole party scenes and stunt co-ordination, it really tested my metal and I’m proud to have come out of it the other end as a better filmmaker.
Additionally, a film I’m very proud to be apart of was ‘Clocked’ by Ayesha Fernandez. I was the Assistant Director on the shoot and watching her vision come to life was inspiring to be a part of; coincidentally it’s currently doing a festival run with several selections under its belt already!
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Definitely! I think it was a very reflective time for me. I wish I could say I was a real go-getter then but I really felt myself stagnate creatively and even as a person. It made me realise however my true passion, and gave me the time to prepare to fight for what I wanted out of life and towards the end of the crisis I was doing just that.
Covid-19 was undoubtedly a terrible time for humankind as a whole but true to our nature as a species we persevered and endeavoured to make the best out of a bad situation.
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Image Credits
John Soto III and Kushagra Jain
