Have the courage to fail. I really enjoy failures. I celebrate them. Failure is a sign that you’re trying something new. It does not matter if people are not accepting your talent. You should do it for yourself. If you truly love cinema just never give up. This particular industry needs so much patience. So, if you want to make it big here, you must have patience. There was time when i was not able to get recognition, deserving love. But eventually, I received so much love and accolades from Hollywood.
As a part of our series about pop culture’s rising stars, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Junayed Alavi
Junayed Alavi is an Independent Filmmaker and Podcast Host from West Bengal, India. He has started his film making journey at the age of thirteen. Since then he has made more than twenty short films, three web series independently. His short film EVENTUALLY received so many accolades from Industry experts such as Japanese filmmaker Ken Ochiai, Writer and producer of Marvel Studios Moon-Knight Peter Cameron and many more. He is also a podcast show host of India’s only Hollywood Podcast called Late Night Show With Alavi where Hollywood A-listers join and share their journey to inspire the next generation of artists. He is a bridge between Bengal and Hollywood. Currently, he is busy with his upcoming monster short film called Hunger.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I grew up in a small town from West Bengal, India called Rampurhat. Growing up in a small town in India with a big dream was really tough. As a kid i always wanted to be a filmmaker. I dreamt about Hollywood. I saw Jurassic Park when i was four and totally mesmerized by it. Since that day i loved film making. But when i grew up my parents wanted me to do Engineering as my Hollywood dream seemed silly to them. Not just them but to the whole community itself because till that time nobody from a lower middle class family with no connection came so far. There was no example in that area. So, my parents were afraid about my future. A bunch of people including my classmates, teachers used to laugh at me and my dream. But I kept my passion alive inside me. I have started making short amateur films with some of my school friends. But i ended up in an engineering college. I used to bunk my classes to make films during class hours which used to bother my college professors. So, growing up was really tough.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
It’s definitely Jurassic Park. I admired Steven Spielberg throughout my journey. He actually made me believe in the magic of cinema. His way of storytelling really inspired me to tell my own story through films. Cinema has that power to change so many lives. It changed my life. So, I was watching Jurassic Park and the way it was presented was amazing. As a kid I used to think big scales, visual effects were making them amazing but eventually i understood it’s all about a powerful story. Even in a grand epic blockbuster we should have our own voice to make it believable. So, i found the medium very interesting that i can have fun and at the same time i can tell my own story.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I was about to graduate from engineering college. I was working on a Bengali film as an Assistant Director while other people from my college are getting jobs in the IT sectors, MNCs. But somehow i felt they were not happy about their jobs. Most of them were talking about their salaries. They were working 8 to 10 hours with so much pressure. They used to wait for weekends to come. While i used to wait for Mondays instead. That day i realized how much satisfied and in love with my job. I was working 18 hours a day and was enjoying it.
It has been said that 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?
When i started making films I used to believe in visuals, CGI only. So, I was making films with no actual story. I was just plotting the films like Crappy CG dinosaur chases a man, A serial killer kills a man, a man uses superpower with no motivation, A man smoking by the window and a girl writing in a diary by the window . So, it made me realize that i must have a voice. Cinema is a very powerful tool. It can move anyone. Trying to show off as an Abstract Pseudo-intellectual and making cringe content to gain attention, both are not gonna help me to grow as a filmmaker. So, I decided to work on beautiful and personal stories.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Right now, I am working on a monster horror short film called Hunger. Also i am writing a feature film for a reputed Hollywood film director.
You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
Have the courage to fail. I really enjoy failures. I celebrate them. Failure is a sign that you’re trying something new. It does not matter if people are not accepting your talent. You should do it for yourself. If you truly love cinema just never give up. This particular industry needs so much patience. So, if you want to make it big here, you must have patience. There was time when i was not able to get recognition, deserving love. But eventually, I received so much love and accolades from Hollywood.
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
This is an absolute time to make a career in Entertainment industry, especially Hollywood. It’s growing with so much diversity. Anybody with any nationality, caste, sex can make it big in the industry. And diversity is the most important thing that should happen in every industry. Underrepresented communities are also getting deserving attention. Firstly, Audience has become global. They want to watch global contents. Second, Every community will be able to tell their own stories. Third, One little move can create a global impact.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
Thank you for asking this.
- Don’t wait for permission. Make your own. If you’ve written a script, don’t ask others to direct it. Direct it yourself. Don’t just submit your scripts blindly to Studios, producers, directors. Don’t play lottery. Yes, you can win. But what power will playing lottery give you ? other than the power to play the lottery again. Same goes with actors. They think someday someone will give them a big role instead of working on their crafts. How do you learn film making ? By making one. How do you learn acting ? By practicing. Start small but do it yourself. It took me eight long years to get right attention.
- Have the courage to experiment. Don’t be repetitive. Doing same thing again and again just to gather attention won’t make you grow as an artist. Leave the comfort zone and work hard. I get bored when i try to repeat the same success. It’s a clear indication that you’re stuck. Different failures can teach you so many things. Same success will make you arrogant, superstitious and fool.
- If you truly believe in your vision. Stick to it. Don’t get influenced by scary whispers. People will try to leg your pull to make you weak. Avoid them. But stay always open to constructive criticism.
- Distance yourself from the Pseudo-intellectuals. They know everything but do nothing instead of chattering. They are the most dangerous creatures i have ever come across.
- Just having talent is not enough. A good network always helps. Be friendly. I never went to film school but I see many film students are trying hard to get a right contact. And i haven’t even gone to Hollywood once, but I have so many friends over there who are dominating the Film Industry such as people from Disney, Marvel Studios, Variety and many more. So, think big and do big.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
Just have patience. Follow your instincts. Industry is very supportive to real talents. Do not hesitate to ask for help when you need it badly. Industry doesn’t like arrogance. Stay humble but don’t try to be someone’s shadow.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
That’s what i am doing right now. I started a live podcast show where Hollywood A-listers join and share their journey to inspire the next generation of artists around the world. Any aspiring artist can attend the shows for free. I believe it’s always important pay our experiences forward.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I am really grateful towards Steven Spielberg for inspiring me through his films. And obviously my parents and a bunch of supportive friends. Spielberg inspired me to pick up the camera and start shooting films and my friends helped me achieve that when i was a kid.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Grow but don’t grow up.” This quote is relevant to everyone. I believe a young heart can solve any bigger issue. It changed my life. A young kid inside you will always help you to see things differently. The day you think you have grown up, that’s the end of your opportunity to grow.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
There are people i know in LA. Impact24 PR team would be great to have a lunch with. I am in touch with them and they are really sweet. And surely, Steven Spielberg. Having lunch with your childhood hero is the best thing can happen.
How can our readers follow you online?
Through Instagram and LinkedIn. I also have a youtube channel called Alavi Motion Pictures.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Rising Star Junayed Alavi On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.