Today we’d like to introduce you to Darlene Darma.
Hi Darlene, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a young filmmaker from Singapore who was born in Indonesia. Throughout my childhood, my family constantly moved, allowing me to live in many different countries and encounter many cultures. Change was a very familiar term to me as I frequently moved houses, schools and quickly jumped into new environments. The one thing that stayed constant throughout the chaos of change was watching movies.
Movies allowed me to feel safe when things were uncertain. I used to watch the same films repeatedly because I took comfort in knowing exactly what happens in the film and how it will end. How movies can transport you to a completely different world is incredible. It allows you to disconnect from reality and put everything on pause. My interest in film was undoubtedly piqued by seeing movies as a young child. I’ve always known I wanted to work in the film industry, but I wasn’t sure how. After completing high school in Singapore, I graduated with my Associate’s Degree in Washington state and then relocated to California to pursue a filmmaking degree. I am currently attending my last year of college at the New York Film Academy. Over the past years, I have been on countless film sets that helped me gain experience and familiarity with all the activities necessary for arranging and coordinating film projects. I am eager to expand my knowledge and hone my talents because I still have a lot to learn.
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?
Contrary to others, my path to where I am now has been relatively easy. My toughest challenge was leaving my family at the age of 16. Being thousands of miles away from them made me more independent and pushed me to develop as a person.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am adept in various roles in film productions but mainly focus on the responsibilities of assistant director, producer, and script supervisor. With my skill set and experience, I am known for my work as an Assistant Director and have been frequently hired through a connection of people who trusts my work. As much as I love Assistant Directing, I truly love producing. I strive myself to be a great producer because I am organized and a natural planner. The first project I ever produced was a short film ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ directed by Sara Eustáquio. She gave me an opportunity to produce her film, and I’m glad she did because working on her film piqued my interest in producing. However, I’d also really like to grow my career as a script supervisor. The Script Supervisor position is one of my favorites on set. Most people tend to look past the work of a script supervisor, although they are essential to producing a quality movie.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Honestly, I haven’t given much thought to luck influencing my life. Thinking about it, I would say that I am lucky to have a supportive family who encourages my choices and passions. I will always be grateful to my parents for helping me travel away from them to pursue a career in the film industry. I’d like to think that my decision to attend film school in California is the result of luck, but in truth, my parents, who have always supported me, are entirely to thank. They are the ones who made it happen. I also want to emphasize how fortunate I am to have found amazing roommates, classmates, and close friends. Prior to arriving in California, I had no acquaintances or family there, so I was glad to meet people I got along with right away. I am lucky to have support from Fernando Broce and Dezmo DeGano, they’ve made my transition to California a lot easier. Studying at New York Film Academy introduced me to many people from different parts of the world. I now have a team of people and friends from different cultures whom I routinely work with thanks to school and my experiences on film sets. They are from many nations, including Panama, Hong Kong, Russia, India, and the United States. Working with them has extended my perspective and increased my knowledge of various cultures.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://darlenedarma2.wixsite.com/darlene-darma
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlene_darma/
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/darlene-darma-05292a208
Image Credits
Shane Chotirmal, Nikita Suldin
