We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aris Federman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aris below.
Aris, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
When I decided to make my first short film, I had no idea what I was setting out to do. I wrote the script in a google doc, without any proper formatting. I had no understanding of the filmmaking process, image composition, or what a film festival was. I charged in with a ‘fools’ confidence, or the confidence of someone without enough experience to know how high the probability for failure was. You don’t know what you don’t know. That was an essential piece of the puzzle for me. Now, many years later, I have picked up essential industry, artistic, and technical knowledge through research and experience- and I am still learning. I’ll always be learning. I am a devout student of the ‘school of hard knocks’.
The scale of the projects our production company, Blue Oak Productions, has in development dwarf my first attempt at making a movie, but we wouldn’t be creating the work we’re doing now if I hadn’t taken that initial plunge so long ago. The lesson for me was this:
Don’t wait until you have all of the confidence or knowledge to start something. You gain that confidence and experience through starting. The job teaches the skill. The worst thing you can do is get stalled up by the fear of failure, which is a really difficult thing to overcome.
I’d also say, like with most pursuits, you’re not in it alone. I have a lot of confidence in the team of people I work with. They’re an ensemble of talented artists and we lean on one another with every project we work on. Making anything, from a short film to a feature, takes a village. Having the back of those around you, and knowing that they have your back, does a great deal for confidence in the process.
Part of the process is being uncomfortable. Picking up new skills, expanding the scope of your work- it requires that you put yourself in unfamiliar territory. That’s the unfortunate truth, but submitting to that truth is a gift.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Aris Federman, I’m a Co-Founder and the CEO of Blue Oak Productions, a production company that specializes in narrative entertainment and commercial/brand storytelling. At my core, I’m a storyteller. My parents can vouch. When I was a really young kid, I’d coax them into holding a cam-corder while I made my Star Wars action figures fight one another. Some people call those home movies- I like to think of them as early explorations in indie filmmaking.
At Blue Oak, we believe that stories are generational. They are firmly rooted in universal, human tradition- like a strong oak in the soil. It’s our mission to branch out beyond the ordinary by crafting innovative stories and messages that resonate while standing the test of time.
On the narrative end of things, we’re currently in post-production for a film called ‘Tin Soldiers’ which grapples with the overmedication of children in the United States. It’s an important, under-discussed topic and at its core, the story is about resilience in the face of a proverbial storm. We’re really intrigued by stories surrounding the human spirit and the exploration of a ‘better way’.
In our commercial work, we don’t think the word ‘content’ does enough justice to the power that media can have in shaping the perception of an organization. That’s why we tackle commercial video from a storytelling perspective. That’s why we live by ‘Your brand is your story, tell it well.’ The story of an organization, product, or company culture is the best way to connect with your audience- consumers who might resonate with your brand. So in the end of the day, story is at the core of everything we do.
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?
I’d say, at least for me, these three things have been paramount: collaborators, persistence, and understanding the whole journey.
Collaborators, the team you work with and the network you form, are an essential building block. I think that sometimes, people have the misconception that they can go it alone, but it doesn’t work like that. Even if you’re the most talented individual on the planet, you’ll be out-paced by the person who knows how to work well with others. This is a really communal art.
Each person brings immense value and a unique perspective. That diversity of thought is powerful. In my on-set work, I primarily direct or produce. At risk of grossly oversimplifying those roles, they’re fundamentally about being a connector. How can you collaborate and communicate a common vision? Who can you bring together to elevate this story?
Persistence is something that I think is often spoken about but it isn’t always followed up with actionable advice on how to develop it. For me, it’s shifting the criteria for success. There is a great story about the ‘stoic archer’. He aims at a target, and if his criteria for success is to hit the target, he places his victory in factors beyond his control. The target could move, the wind could change, something could step in front of the target. He has no influence over this. However, if his criteria for success is not to hit the target, but to aim well, then he is master of his development. I think that’s powerful. When you embark on something, you don’t always have control over the outcome. Just be sure to push yourself- make sure the next thing you do is more ambitious than the last. Let that be your criteria for success. It’ll keep you moving forward, as well as promote a growth mindset.
The last item is understanding the entire journey. I think the days where you can be or do one thing are gone. You see many actor/writers these days, or actor/producers. You have to have an understanding of your whole industry- it puts you in a position to generate opportunities. I earned my BFA in Acting, not filmmaking, but that degree has helped me communicate with actors on set- it creates a common language and understanding. I spent a lot of time working in different roles on sets. I think that’s of paramount importance because it generates an understanding and deeper appreciation for the hard work everyone is doing. It’s immensely helpful to have a common vocabulary when communicating with different members of a production. Know how it all works, get some hands on experience doing it.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Our team at Blue Oak is always looking to connect with other artists and filmmakers, as well as brands who want to collaborate.
We can be reached through the contact form on our website, and I can personally be reached via my email: [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blueoakproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueoakproductions/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-oak-productions/
Image Credits
Jonah Hale
Travis Kelly
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
