My name is Alizeh Imtiaz. I was born and brought up in Karachi, Pakistan. After completing my A levels from Karachi, I headed off to London to complete my undergraduate in English and Film and TV from Brunel University. Currently I am living in Karachi.
From being a student to being a director in such a short span was something I never expected, but it was something that gave me immense confidence, and an outlet to the many ideas that I store in my mind. Living in Karachi has a lot to do with the person that I am and the ideas that I have. Of course, studying in London and traveling and meeting people from around the world broadens ones horizons as well. I have been working on and off on different projects since I was in University, mostly on commercial projects for channels. I have written several concepts and ideas for future scripts as well.
However lately i have stopped working in order to find opportunities to help the betterment of the welfare of my country. I’ve always felt the need to contribute towards the state of affairs in Pakistan, and I had told myself that no matter what direction I take in life, be it film making, education, social welfare or civil service I would add to what thousands of selfless Pakistanis across the globe already have. At this point in life, I know that directing and writing is something I hold very close to my heart and I will always have the chance to resume it, but right now is the time to branch out and grasp other things while I can.
What educational path did you take to reach your career?
I studied English and Film and TV at Brunel University, London.
Was it always your ambition to be a director?
No, I didn’t realise I wanted to get into directing until I was in University and I managed to make a short film called Shades of Black, which being my first attempt gained a lot of acclaim through wining the award for best film at the London Filmmakers Convention in 2007, and was also screened at the Portobello Film Festival 08 in London.
What does a typical working day involve?
Well in production, you need to be part of a team, so the day revolves around organizing, administrating and dealing with everyone from people from your crew to people on the road! It’s a lot of creativity plus practicality.
What should students consider before embarking on the path to a film career?
In the UK it is very difficult to get into the film business, whether you have a degree related to film or not. In other markets such as Pakistan, there is a lot of room still. So I think students need to know realistically how and where they plan to get after their degree.
What advice do you wish you’d received from a professional when you were a student?
Something that’s helped me a lot recently is the idea that there is no failure. Every single unsuccessful attempt in your career takes you one step forward. If I’d known that sooner I wouldn’t have spent time being disappointed about not getting a particular part or a show.
What are the best and worst aspects of your job?
Being a producer or director, the best is definitely being able to interact with people, being able to deliver your idea through whatever you’re shooting and reach out to an audience all the while being appreciated. There arent really any worse aspects, but I guess budget restraints limiting your grandeur or falling into a cliche with your work or maybe being different and not accepted could be some setbacks.
What advice do you wish you’d received from a professional when you were a student?
At times I feel that I should have known that it is important to be technically aware of everything that goes into filmmaking, so that you can actually monitor your own crew which is far more experienced than you (well they are to me!) But at the same time I am very technically weak still, but I get my work done easily.
What skills do you look for when hiring production crew members?
Punctuality, Creativity, Experience.
What is the biggest misconception that people have about film directors?
That they know each and every thing about the technicalities of filmmaking, some of us really dont! We just designate tasks and with a little bit of guidance manage to get through.
What was your proudest career moment?
When ‘Shades of Black’ won at the London Filmmakers Convention.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a director?
None!
How do you think living and studying abroad has benefited your career?
As far as living abroad is concerned, I wrote my concept for ‘Shades of Black’ one day while I was on the Tube, so I guess it did contribute. However,I don’t think my degree in Film and TV helped me much to be honest, mostly because it wasnt a hands-on filmmakers degree, it was just to get an idea of how things work.
Alizeh Imtiaz – “Interview With A Director”
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My name is Alizeh Imtiaz. I was born and brought up in Karachi, Pakistan. After completing my A levels from Karachi, I headed off to London to complete my undergraduate in English and Film and TV from Brunel University. Currently I am living in Karachi.
From being a student to being a director in such a short span was something I never expected, but it was something that gave me immense confidence, and an outlet to the many ideas that I store in my mind. Living in Karachi has a lot to do with the person that I am and the ideas that I have. Of course, studying in London and traveling and meeting people from around the world broadens ones horizons as well. I have been working on and off on different projects since I was in University, mostly on commercial projects for channels. I have written several concepts and ideas for future scripts as well.
However lately i have stopped working in order to find opportunities to help the betterment of the welfare of my country. I’ve always felt the need to contribute towards the state of affairs in Pakistan, and I had told myself that no matter what direction I take in life, be it film making, education, social welfare or civil service I would add to what thousands of selfless Pakistanis across the globe already have. At this point in life, I know that directing and writing is something I hold very close to my heart and I will always have the chance to resume it, but right now is the time to branch out and grasp other things while I can.
What educational path did you take to reach your career?
I studied English and Film and TV at Brunel University, London.
Was it always your ambition to be a director?
No, I didn’t realise I wanted to get into directing until I was in University and I managed to make a short film called Shades of Black, which being my first attempt gained a lot of acclaim through wining the award for best film at the London Filmmakers Convention in 2007, and was also screened at the Portobello Film Festival 08 in London.
What does a typical working day involve?
Well in production, you need to be part of a team, so the day revolves around organizing, administrating and dealing with everyone from people from your crew to people on the road! It’s a lot of creativity plus practicality.
What should students consider before embarking on the path to a film career?
In the UK it is very difficult to get into the film business, whether you have a degree related to film or not. In other markets such as Pakistan, there is a lot of room still. So I think students need to know realistically how and where they plan to get after their degree.
What advice do you wish you’d received from a professional when you were a student?
Something that’s helped me a lot recently is the idea that there is no failure. Every single unsuccessful attempt in your career takes you one step forward. If I’d known that sooner I wouldn’t have spent time being disappointed about not getting a particular part or a show.
What are the best and worst aspects of your job?
Being a producer or director, the best is definitely being able to interact with people, being able to deliver your idea through whatever you’re shooting and reach out to an audience all the while being appreciated. There arent really any worse aspects, but I guess budget restraints limiting your grandeur or falling into a cliche with your work or maybe being different and not accepted could be some setbacks.
What advice do you wish you’d received from a professional when you were a student?
At times I feel that I should have known that it is important to be technically aware of everything that goes into filmmaking, so that you can actually monitor your own crew which is far more experienced than you (well they are to me!) But at the same time I am very technically weak still, but I get my work done easily.
What skills do you look for when hiring production crew members?
Punctuality, Creativity, Experience.
What is the biggest misconception that people have about film directors?
That they know each and every thing about the technicalities of filmmaking, some of us really dont! We just designate tasks and with a little bit of guidance manage to get through.
What was your proudest career moment?
When ‘Shades of Black’ won at the London Filmmakers Convention.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a director?
None!
How do you think living and studying abroad has benefited your career?
As far as living abroad is concerned, I wrote my concept for ‘Shades of Black’ one day while I was on the Tube, so I guess it did contribute. However,I don’t think my degree in Film and TV helped me much to be honest, mostly because it wasnt a hands-on filmmakers degree, it was just to get an idea of how things work.