Meet Aleks Arsin

We recently connected with Aleks Arsin and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Aleks, great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.

People have told me they consider me a risk-taker. They point to my decision to move from Austria to the United States on my own at 22, or my pursuit of a career in film without a clear safety net. To me, it never felt like taking a risk. It felt necessary. I had a dream, and I followed it. I did not have much to lose, and I knew I wanted more for myself.

I think this risk-taking mindset of mine comes from how I was raised. I grew up in Austria as an only child to a single mother, and I learned early on how to figure things out for myself. There weren’t always people around to walk me through life’s challenges, so I became resourceful by necessity. I learned how to adapt quickly, solve problems under pressure, and stay calm when things felt uncertain. Over time, I became comfortable moving forward without knowing exactly how everything would play out. Looking back, I think that ability—to act without needing complete certainty—is what’s allowed me to make the choices others tend to see as risky.

One of the first moments I really saw the value of saying yes to more things came in 2015, when Austria hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, the biggest annual music competition in the world. A friend suggested we apply to work on it, and I almost didn’t. I wasn’t sure I would fit in or if it was even worth it. I decided to try, and it ended up being one of the most impactful experiences I’ve ever had. Being part of a production of that scale, surrounded by the energy and excitement of the entertainment world, sparked something in me. I realized how much I enjoyed being in that environment and how naturally I gravitated toward it. That experience showed me how much can come from stepping out of my comfort zone and helped push me toward the decision to move to the United States not long after.

Since then, my path in film has changed more than once. I started with acting, then moved into directing and cinematography. Each step taught me something new about the kind of storyteller I wanted to be, and over time, I realized that producing was the role that brought everything together. It lets me be creative, but also taps into the skills I’ve relied on for most of my life. I’m organized, I stay calm under pressure, and I actually enjoy problem-solving when things don’t go as planned. Producing aligns with the way I naturally work and think, and it’s the kind of challenge I genuinely enjoy.

Looking back, I think my ability to take on new challenges has as much to do with the people in my life as it does with who I am. I’ve always been persistent and willing to figure things out, but being surrounded by people who lead with optimism has pushed me to take more chances. Watching them say yes to things without overthinking helped me do the same. It taught me that momentum matters more than certainty. My friends have played a huge role in shaping the way I see the world, and I don’t take that for granted. That mindset has influenced the way I work, the way I make decisions, and the way I keep moving forward—even when I’m not totally sure what comes next.

I still don’t think of myself as someone who takes big risks. I’ve just learned to trust my instincts, take the next step, and figure things out along the way.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I recently graduated from the film production program at CSUN where I spent my time producing, collaborating with other filmmakers, and learning as much as I could both in and outside the classroom. One of the biggest highlights was being selected to direct a senior thesis film—an opportunity only a few students receive each semester. I was fortunate to direct I’m Doing Fine, a dark comedy about a middle-aged man in denial about his cancer diagnosis who finds an unexpected connection with the eccentric elderly woman he’s caring for. The script was written by the incredibly talented Tommy Gorman from the screenwriting program at CSUN, and the film is now beginning its festival run. The experience taught me a lot about what it means to lead a team and bring someone else’s story to life.

Since graduating, I’ve been focused on staying active and continuing to grow. I’ve produced several short films that are now in post-production, and I’m always on the lookout for new stories to help bring to life. Lately, I’ve been especially drawn to documentaries—particularly human-centered stories that explore social and political themes. I’m interested in work that sparks conversation, makes people feel something, and stays with them after the credits roll. I’m open to narrative work as well, as long as the story has a clear voice and something meaningful to say.

In the meantime, I’m doing everything I can to stay close to the work. I’ve been taking on whatever roles I can find in production—not just because I want to stay active, but because I genuinely love being on set. There’s always something new to learn, and I try to treat every experience as a chance to grow. I’ve also been hustling outside of set—attending networking events, meeting other creatives, and building relationships wherever I can. Most recently, I found myself stepping into a role I never expected: working as an accounting clerk on Netflix productions like Emily in Paris and My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman. I swore I was done with math and numbers after high school, but this opportunity has been surprisingly rewarding. It’s given me a front-row seat to how big-budget productions are run, and I’ve learned a lot just by seeing how line producers approach budgeting, logistics, and day-to-day problem-solving. It’s been a crash course in the business side of filmmaking, and I know it’s going to make me a better producer in the long run.

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?

Three qualities that have shaped my journey the most are my curiosity, my drive, and my perfectionism. I’ve always been someone who wants to understand how things are done, whether it’s in film, another industry, or just life in general. I’m curious by nature, and I like observing systems, workflows, or processes so I can figure out how to make them better or more efficient. That curiosity is what fuels my problem-solving and helps me step into any situation with an eye for improvement.

I’m also a driven person. When I set my mind to something, I’m all in. That drive can sometimes come with stubbornness, but I’ve learned how to use that to my advantage, especially in a field where persistence really matters. It’s what’s helped me move forward, take initiative, and keep going when things aren’t easy. I also bring an entrepreneurial mindset to everything I do. I don’t sit around waiting for opportunities – I look for them, create them, and try to keep myself moving.

And while perfectionism isn’t always my favorite trait, I’ve learned to use it as a strength. It pushes me to stay organized, to deliver high-quality work, and to pay attention to the details that matter. I’m working on giving myself more grace in my personal life, but when it comes to work, that high standard helps me succeed.

If I had to give advice to anyone early in their journey, I’d say this: think about what you’re naturally good at. Your skills, your personality traits (even the ones you don’t love) and figure out how to apply those to something you’re genuinely interested in. That’s where the magic happens. You don’t need to have it all figured out right away. Just keep showing up, keep saying yes, and stay open. Use every opportunity to grow, connect, and learn, because you never know where it’ll lead or who you’ll meet. Sometimes the unexpected paths end up being the most rewarding.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

For a long time, I played it safe. I worked in the service industry to pay my bills, and I made sure not to jeopardize that by taking on too many film gigs – especially the ones that required more than a day or two of commitment. I often had to pass because I couldn’t commit to the full schedule, even if I really wanted to be part of the project. I told myself I was being responsible. But after a while, it started to feel like I was putting my dream on hold.

So last year, I decided to go all in. I left my job and committed to saying yes to every opportunity that excited me, even if it meant not knowing exactly how I’d make ends meet. I worked on short films back to back, in all kinds of roles, often jumping in last-minute or wearing multiple hats. It was chaotic at times, but it was also the most creatively fulfilling year I’ve ever had. I gained hands-on experience, learned more than I could’ve imagined, and met so many new people who inspired me and pushed me forward. The payoff wasn’t financial, but it was still priceless to me.

Looking back, I don’t regret that decision for a second. That year taught me lessons I couldn’t have fully learned in a classroom. Lessons about betting on myself, saying yes even when the outcome wasn’t guaranteed, and trusting that the effort I put in, even when it wasn’t immediately visible, would build toward something bigger. It also reminded me how important it is to stay open, curious, and connected. So many of the doors that have opened for me came from simply showing up, being on set, helping out, or grabbing coffee with someone who later remembered me. Those moments built the foundation I’m standing on now.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleksarsin/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleks-arsin/
• Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11691326/?ref_=fn_all_nme_1