Filmmakers Making A Social Impact: Why & How Filmmaker Iris Svis of Melete Films Is Helping To Change Our World
Have patience; Listen to people — I mean really listen, what are their concerns, desires, goals; Be brave, don’t be afraid to make some bold decision; Stand up for your beliefs; and, of course, be a team player. All the projects Melete Films have done so far wouldn’t have been possible without all of us coming together and bringing ourselves to the work.
As a part of our series about “Filmmakers Making A Social Impact” I had the pleasure of interviewing Iris Svis.
Iris Svis has always been fascinated with different countries, cultures, and customs. Her love for traveling took her around the world and allowed her to witness the diversity and richness of many beautiful cultures, people and places. Through her travels, she discovered the art of storytelling. Listening to people’s stories and portraying them as close to reality as possible became her obsession. That’s how Melete Films Production Company was born.
Thank you so much for doing this interview with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit. Can you share your “backstory” that brought you to this career?
It took me a while to become a producer and co-founder of Melete Films, but the seed was planted five years ago. I worked as an actress on the Steven Soderbergh feature film “The Laundromat”, starring Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, and Antonio Banderas. The experience of collaborating with such talented people naturally made me interested in behind-the-scenes work, and producing in particular. After that, I started producing a variety of short films and web series, and Melete Films was born from the people I worked with along the way. My creative team at Melete Films consists of Director Daria Volynska, Director of Photography Rudolf Nayshuler, Writer Nicholas D. Monteilh, and Action-Choreographer Artur Lago-V (to name a few). I currently have a few projects in development and am constantly looking for opportunities to challenge myself and my team to collaborate and create projects that challenge cultural norms and views of the world.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
You know how you have all the info for the day of shoot on the call sheet, and usually the 1st AD or the PA will send those out? Well, one of our shoots was a smaller production, so I did it myself, and to speed up the process I just copied and pasted the info from the previous one. But I hadn’t realized the location had changed, so the next morning I’m standing and waiting for the people and no one shows up. Then I start receiving the calls asking where I am, and that’s when it hit me — they were all at the wrong location! Thank God it was close by, but needless to say we started filming later than we were supposed to. I got some looks from some people, and I can’t blame them! I guess what I’ve learned — especially when it’s a smaller set and you wear a bunch of hats and juggling a lot of things — that it never hurts to ask for help. After all, it’s a team effort.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
One of my absolute favorites is Garry Oldman. I don’t need to mention what a great actor he is — I love watching him work. He’s so precise and yet he still manages to have fun on set, even in the most stressful moments. I remember how he said that he was hoping to get cast “as is” (without having to alter his appearance) when he got to work on Slow Horses. I think, if anything, it reminds me of how strong our manifestations are. Since then I’m constantly sending my thoughts, desires and visions into the universe.
Which people in history inspire you the most? Why?
Oh, God, this might sound morbid, but Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya. She died when she was only eighteen. She was captured and eventually killed by nazis, but would not give them any information to help apprehend her teamsters. I think it’s important to remember that you don’t have to be a leader, king or president to inspire people, you can be just one of us. We are the change.
Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview, how are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting social impact causes you are working on right now?
Yes, let’s brighten it up 😉 Our production company, Melete Films, brings goodness to the world through the camera lens. No matter how big or small your business is, we are more than happy to make your dreams come true. It’s all about showing your passion to the world and elevating your dream business to the next level. We are helping some non-profit organizations. I like the underdogs, smaller ones that are in need of support more than anything. Being a big fan of animals, we are currently helping Stray Cat Alliance. Big shout out to all the staff and volunteers who work there, they are the real heroes and animal advocates.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and take action for this cause? What was that final trigger?
Nope, no “Aha Moment”. I know, it’s a bummer, haha. But we are all waiting for that particular moment. I just gradually came to the conclusion that any change, big or small. starts with yourself and I just couldn’t wait for others to give me permission to create and make positive changes in my life.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
Every client of Melete Films, and that will be a long list, because if you think about it we are helping them to take the next step on the way to their dreams. Be it a gallery opening, music video for their new single, or simply demo reel to promote their services and work. Those are all pieces of the bigger puzzle.
Are there three things that individuals, society or the government can do to support you in this effort?
Yes, make filming in California production friendly, so we don’t have to fly abroad or go to other states to make it happen. Grants, of course, but overall the filmmakers and content creators need to feel supported, and some rules have to be changed. And as individuals, we should maybe try to understand and be willing to accept other people’s strong beliefs and POV’s. We are all different, coming from diverse backgrounds, and we need to learn that that is ok.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
Oh man, it’s easy: Have patience; Listen to people — I mean really listen, what are their concerns, desires, goals; Be brave, don’t be afraid to make some bold decision; Stand up for your beliefs; and, of course, be a team player. All the projects Melete Films have done so far wouldn’t have been possible without all of us coming together and bringing ourselves to the work.
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
Stay true to yourself and find it in you to do even a small good thing every day of your life. Be it feeding the neighborhood squirrels or helping an old person across the road, it starts small and then it snowballs into something bigger than yourself.
We are very blessed that many other Social Impact Heroes read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, whom you would like to collaborate with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
One of my absolute favorites is Meghan Markle. She is the force to be reckoned with. I think if anyone unapologetically stands up for her beliefs it’s Meghan.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“It’s really important that young women be reminded that their involvement matters and that their voice is heard. Even if it feels like it’s small, it really can make an impact.” — Meghan Markle
This is huge, and I’ll just leave it at that.
How can our readers follow you online?
IG: irissvis
IG: meletefilms
This was great, thank you so much for sharing your story and doing this with us. We wish you continued success!
Thank you for having me!
Filmmakers Making A Social Impact: Why & How Filmmaker Iris Svis of Melete Films Is Helping To… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.