Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Art Arutyunyan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Art, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
My Armenian parents survived poverty and hardships. Their parents’ parents survived the Genocide and ethnical cleansing. So, I come from a long line of survivors. Seeing my mother fall and get up over and over again and look forward to a new day gave me hope and a fresh perspective. No matter how hard things get, there’s alway a new day, a new start.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I was born and raised in Uzbekistan, Central Asia. I am a writer, director and producer. Originally trained as a fashion designer, I have designed collections for major fashion retailers before transitioning to film production.
My scripts have been optioned and produced, and won the London International Screenwriting Competition, placed quarterfinalist at ScreenCraft and landed in the top 10% at the Academy Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting . Some of my films as a writer / director / producer have played in multiple film festivals worldwide and placed as finalists. As a writer/director, my projects have been distributed worldwide on various streaming apps. My film ‘Funeral’ is part of the Film Fund’s auteur collection.
I tend to gravitate to stories that combine character-driven narratives with strong visual context. I want to tell stories of underdogs and outcasts, stories of triumph over adversity, unforeseen courage and resilience. This is what I know, and this is what I want to share as a filmmaker.
Currently, I develop TV pilots, series and feature film projects that range in genre and format.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Art and culture have always been my main inspiration. The visual language I’ve been acquiring stems from a variety of sources: from fashion and film to literature and music. So, I’d say, having my eyes and ears focused on anything creative has been by best skill. Learning from others and reinterpreting ideas have always helped me in my work.
The best advice I got and the one I would share is trust your instincts. And keep working every day as it trains your skill whatever it is.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
There are several filmmakers that keep inspiring me. Masters like Martin Scorsese and Ang Lee, among others, have been a crucial force in my pursuing filmmaking. Their drive and ambition, their gusto and emotional depth are constant inspiration for my work. Their work ethic and courage to push boundaries, their keen eye for beauty and creative solutions are the qualities I aim for. And also some of my colleagues that had believed in me and given me opportunities like Armand Petri and Jesse Hughes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artarutyunyan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art_arutyunyan/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtArutyunyan525/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/art-arutyunyan-aa100278/
Image Credits
Stills from Art Arutyunyan’s films
