We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amir Sharafeh a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Amir, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I was a lost child. I went through high school, not wanting to be there. I focused so much on being a great scratch DJ. I had so much love for it that I would spend days and nights on two turntables and a mixer; so much so, that at age 13, still physically developing, my middle fingers have curved like the spin of the vinyl. The love of music, also practicing the piano, took me through high school and as I was becoming a young adult, I found out I lost the love for being a DJ. Looking back it made me realize, that’s what helped me survive High School. Once I got into college, I was lost again, taking advantage of studying every subject known to man, to figure out what I wanted to do as an adult. I found theatre to be the path to becoming a filmmaker, because filmmaking as a subject, was not available at the time I was attending a University. While getting my degree, I took every class that I can possibly take that has to do with film. I learned acting and participated in over 40 plays, because the acting bug had bit me. But in the midst of the acting bug, I was reading books on filmmaking, editing, how to hone my skill in visual effects, and still continue with playing the piano. I started making short films as I was still acting on stage, and I realized after so many years, that the arts, in any shape or form, was the reason why I exist. I love making music for my projects. I love working with people who want to create. I love writing for short films. I love cinematography. I love photography. I feel that finding my purpose in life, is what I love doing. Without love and passion for what you do, you’re just going through the motions. When you find that thing you love doing, that’s when you know you’re on the right track.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I love filmmaking. As much as it is rare for me to start a project, because there are so many steps to finalizing one and I want to be a part of every step, is what makes me feel alive. The process to write, start pre-production, shoot the film, take it to post for editing pictures and sounds, and finally make the music for it, is the essence of life for me. In 1997 I created Still Picture Production. I like to do different types of content, from short films, to advertisement, event driven videography, music videos and video podcasts. I started a YouTube channel under Still Picture Production, that sometimes when I acquire gear, I review it for people who are interested to see my take on a filmmaking tool. Any type of videos I make, I put it on the channel except event videography, which goes to client channels. I am going to be interviewed soon on a podcast channel called Strange Darkness Radio about my process as a videographer for an event I shot for their channel. I’m very excited about that.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I believe focus, patience and persistence is the key and that is something to develop over time, especially with modern age. This day and age we are bombarded with so much, with the advent of internet, we have become more and more deficient in focusing and allowing what I call ‘outside noise’ to penetrate and distract us. If you love what you are doing, find a way to get rid of that ‘outside noise’ and systematically erase it overtime. Being patient is very important. Sometimes I get frustrated and I want to quit. Walking away and coming back to it is very important. It is even more important to remind yourself that this frustration is fleeting and you can’t let that dictate the path. By walking away and coming back to something is showing your love and your persistence. That’s a skill that needs to be developed; disregarding what frustrated you, and coming back to it with a sound mind and a fresh perspective. In the moment of frustration, find time to tell yourself to be patient. Something that took me decades to develop. Start the journey early, and it’ll become second nature sooner than you know it.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I always depended on myself for many aspects of filmmaking, and when I find people who love and give themselves completely to a project, I become instantly attracted to them. They reveal their work ethic and dedication towards that project and in that regard, I feel that we are likeminded people. The Youtube channel Still Picture Production is where half of my work is displayed and there you can private message for collaboration purposes.
Contact Info:
- Youtube: @StillPictureProduction
Image Credits
I took all the poster shots for the films except my profile photo. That one can be credited as Tory Scroggins.
