We were lucky to catch up with Santiago Bukovsky recently and have shared our conversation below.
Santiago, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
In the early stages of my career, I felt like an imposter all the time. I studied chemistry in college before teaching myself filmmaking from YouTube and practicing with my iPhone. When I got the opportunity to be an assistant director on a feature film, I had only done it once before on a small commercial. I put a lot of pressure on myself because I thought if I messed up I would never work on another movie again.
But the more film sets I worked on, the more I realized that I was actually good at what I did. In the moment, even if things didn’t go according to plan, I was gonna give it everything I had. I was gonna be organized, alert, creative and aware. It was still stressful but it became harder and harder to doubt myself the more I realized I have what it takes.
The biggest turning point in my imposter syndrome came with the production of my newest short film, “Where the Dog is Buried.” With the film, I intentionally sought to punch above my weight and push myself in terms of scale and creativity. When we finally got to the set, it was a dream come true. I had assembled a team of talented friends who believed in me and the project. And from there I was able to slip naturally into the role of director, communicate my vision and execute it with a crew of around twenty people, it was amazing.
After it was over it was like a creative hangover. I had depleted my savings and am so grateful for friends that I’ve continued to work with as collaborators who have been incredibly generous with their artistry to continue working with me on smaller budget projects. But the feeling of working on “Where the Dog is Buried” will stick with me forever. It was crucial in helping me realize that I’m capable of holding my own on larger film sets and I’m capable of making these larger productions happen.
More and more I’m learning that I have to set my own success metrics and my mental health is better if they are not external factors or external validation. Because those are things that I can’t control. Success, I decided, can’t just be in the scale and acclaim of projects but in the consistency of effort. Metrics like showing up every day, putting in earnest work, and maintaining a commitment to growth have become my guiding lights. It’s a philosophy that, over time, has allowed me to cultivate a healthier relationship with both success and imposter syndrome—one that is independent of external validation.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m an independent film director and screenwriter focusing on narrative films and commercials. When it comes to filmmaking, I love world building and I love imagery. When I’m writing a script, I have to imagine the film on screen and the excitement that gives me usually kick-starts my motivation to see the project through. Then when you make it to set and see the image on the monitor and it’s exactly what you imagined in your head, that’s a really powerful feeling. It’s taken a lot of work and practice to get to that point but it’s been worth it. I love the relationships on a film set.
I’m not afraid to get a little weird in my films while telling naturalistic stories and maintaining a strong emotional throughline for my characters. I recently released my new short film “Where the Dog is Buried” on YouTube. It’s a dark comedy short film starring Elizabeth McLaughlin (the Clique) and Jordan Fry (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). It centers around a couple whose marriage falls apart after the husband runs over a neighbor’s dog in the driveway and takes inspiration from Thoroughbreds, Marriage Story, and Heathers!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Early on in your filmmaking journey, developing humility is key. Get comfortable asking questions and seeking insights from other creatives about their journeys. Embrace the opportunity to learn and apply principles from experienced directors. As a screenwriter, be open to feedback, understanding that growth comes through revisions and collaboration.
Being a self-starter is about taking matters into your own hands. If the urge to create strikes, self-fund and self-produce your projects. Pitch your ideas to collaborators and make those calls that bring your vision to life. This proactive approach has been instrumental in building a substantial body of work.
Resilience is paramount in this industry. Setbacks are inevitable, from location hiccups to unexpected challenges in the filmmaking process. Learn to let go of specific outcomes and view each project as a stepping stone, bringing valuable lessons to the next endeavor.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Currently, my main focus is on expanding my audience and bringing my work to more people who resonate with it. One of the challenges I’m navigating is the belief that I might not be far enough in my career to offer engaging content. However, I’ve been proactive in sharing my filmmaking journey on platforms like TikTok, where I’ve received positive responses to my story.
I’ve also recognized the need to celebrate small victories and milestones in my career, shifting my perspective away from solely focusing on big film festivals or financial success. By setting achievable goals, engaging with my audience on social media, and sharing the behind-the-scenes aspects of my filmmaking journey, I’m actively working to foster a sense of community and connection.
Despite the challenges, I see each project as a chance to learn and grow. My commitment to perseverance and a positive mindset is propelling me forward, ensuring that I continue to create content and connect with an audience that appreciates and resonates with my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santibukovsky/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiago-bukovsky-884a56bb/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3NL6DclfqA
- Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@santimakesmovies
