Rising Stars: Meet Zubin Sahney of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zubin Sahney.

Zubin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started with a strong interest in VFX and CGI. That was my entry into visual storytelling. Instead of just editing footage, I focused on building scenes from scratch and understanding how to shoot in a way that supports post production. That naturally led me into cinematography, editing, and the full filmmaking process.

Over time I became a one person production setup, handling everything from concept to final delivery. I learned how to think beyond just visuals and focus on systems, efficiency, and results. That approach shaped how I work today.

As I began working with brands, artists, and companies, I noticed that a lot of content was not lacking budget but lacking clarity and execution. I positioned myself around creating cinematic visuals that actually perform, not just look good.

That led me to build MindOfDerby, a creative studio focused on high impact visual content. All work is done in house, with a focus on efficiency, scalability, and strong creative direction. The work ranges from music visuals and brand films to CGI driven content and campaign systems.

Alongside this, I work as a Digital Content Manager in the medical technology space. There I produce training systems, product content, and marketing assets at scale. That experience has helped me operate within structured environments while maintaining a creative edge.

Right now I am focused on growing MindOfDerby across multiple markets including brands, artists, real estate, and agency partnerships, while continuing to push my own storytelling through film.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road.

One of the biggest challenges has been doing everything myself. Being a one person production setup means handling creative direction, shooting, editing, VFX, client communication, and delivery all at once. It forces you to learn fast, but it also means a constant balance between quality, time, and burnout.

Another challenge has been positioning. Early on, it is easy to get stuck doing low budget work or projects that do not fully value the level of effort that goes into high quality visuals. Learning how to price properly, communicate value, and say no to the wrong work took time.

Consistency has also been a struggle. Freelance work comes in waves, so building a steady pipeline of clients while still delivering at a high level is something I have had to figure out through systems, outreach, and refining my brand.

On the technical side, pushing into VFX and CGI at a high level comes with a steep learning curve. A lot of the growth came from trial and error, long hours, and solving problems without a clear roadmap.

At the same time, working a full time role while building MindOfDerby has required discipline. Managing time, staying creative, and continuing to grow the business outside of work hours has been one of the biggest ongoing challenges.

Overall, the path has been demanding, but each challenge has pushed me to become more efficient, more strategic, and more focused on building something long term.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work as a filmmaker and creative focused on cinematic brand media. My core strength is building high impact visuals that combine real world production with CGI and VFX. I handle projects end to end, from concept and direction to shooting, editing, and final delivery.

I specialize in music visuals, brand films, and CGI driven content. A big part of my process is thinking about the final image first, then designing the shoot and post workflow around it. That allows me to create visuals that feel larger than what was physically shot, while still staying grounded and believable.

I am known for being able to operate as a full production pipeline on my own. That includes cinematography, editing, VFX, and creative direction. It gives me control over the entire output and keeps the work consistent in quality and style.
What I am most proud of is building MindOfDerby as a system, not just a portfolio. I have developed workflows, asset libraries, and repeatable processes that allow me to deliver at a high level consistently. It is not just about one good video, it is about being able to do it over and over again with intent.

What sets me apart is the combination of technical depth and creative execution. I understand how to shoot for VFX, how to build scenes in 3D, and how to bring everything together in post in a way that serves a purpose. I focus on making content that does not just look cinematic, but actually stands out and performs.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck has definitely played a role, but not in the way people usually think.
There have been moments of good timing, like getting opportunities with the right clients or being in environments where I could grow quickly. Being exposed to both creative freelance work and a structured corporate role at the same time gave me a perspective that helped me level up faster than I expected.

At the same time, a lot of what looks like luck from the outside came from putting myself in positions where opportunities could happen. Learning VFX early, building a wide skill set, and being willing to take on projects even when I did not feel fully ready created those moments.

There has also been some bad luck along the way. Missed opportunities, projects that did not go anywhere, or times where work slowed down unexpectedly. Those moments forced me to rethink how I approach consistency, pricing, and long term growth.

Overall, I see luck as something that shows up when preparation meets opportunity. It can open a door, but you still have to be ready to walk through it and actually deliver.

Pricing:

• Project based pricing depending on scope, complexity, and timeline
• Music visuals and creative video projects typically start around $800 to $2,000+
• Brand films and commercial work range from $1,500 to $5,000+
• CGI and VFX heavy projects are priced higher based on production time and technical requirements
• Custom packages available for ongoing work or multi deliverable campaigns

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mindofderby.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mindofderby
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/mindofderby
• Other: [email protected]