Meet Karthik Ganesh Prasad

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Karthik Ganesh Prasad a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Karthik, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Honestly, I didn’t have one of those lightbulb moments where everything suddenly made sense. It was more of a slow build—just following that gut feeling every time a story moved me, challenged me, or made me see the world differently. I think that’s what first pulled me toward film. It wasn’t about the medium at first—it was about the feeling. And then I realized: this is how I want to spend my life. Not just telling stories, but making people feel something real.

The deeper I got into filmmaking, the more I started to understand that this wasn’t just something I loved—it was something I couldn’t not do. Every time I stepped on set, every time I worked through a scene that felt impossible to crack, I felt more like myself. It wasn’t about chasing perfection. It was about the process.

Moving to Los Angeles pushed me to take that even further. Being far from home made me think a lot more deeply about identity, belonging, and what kinds of stories really matter to me. That’s when I realized my purpose isn’t tied to a job title—it’s about creating work that leaves people thinking, feeling, or seeing the world just a little differently. That’s what drives me, and it’s what keeps me going—even on the hard days.

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

I’m a filmmaker, producer, and visual storyteller based in Los Angeles, originally from Goa, India. My work moves across narrative films, branded content, and documentary-style stories—but at the heart of it all, I’m drawn to ideas that carry emotional weight. I’ve always been fascinated by how a story feels—how lighting, performance, sound, and pacing can completely shift the way someone experiences a moment.

Over time, I found myself working in that space where filmmaking overlaps with brand-building. I don’t just shoot or produce—I help shape the visual language of a project from the ground up. Whether it’s a sci-fi short film or a 30-second spot, I’m always thinking about how each frame can say something honest and lasting.

One of the most personal projects I’ve made is UNMASKED, my short film—a sci-fi story about guilt, forgiveness, and second chances. It really pushed me, both creatively and personally, and reminded me why I’m doing this in the first place: to tell stories that make people feel something real.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

First—resilience. This line of work will challenge you in ways you don’t always expect. There have been plenty of moments where things fell apart—budgets, shoots, even confidence—but I kept going. That’s the biggest thing: just staying in it, even when it gets uncomfortable. If you’re just starting out, don’t be discouraged when things feel messy. That’s part of it. Just keep moving forward.

Second—vision. I learned early on that having a strong point of view matters. You don’t need to have everything figured out, but knowing what kind of stories you want to tell—and why—makes a huge difference. It helps you say no to the wrong things and stay grounded when things get loud. Find the themes that speak to you and keep chasing them.

And third—adaptability. I never limited myself to just one role. I’ve worked as a producer, director, production designer, cinematographer—and each of those perspectives shaped the way I see a story. The more you understand how the puzzle fits together, the better you get at telling something that actually sticks.
If I had one piece of advice: try everything. Learn on the job. You won’t feel ‘ready’—but you’ll grow into it. Trust that.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I’m overwhelmed—which happens more often than I’d like to admit—I try to slow everything down. It’s easy to fall into that mindset of ‘just push through,’ but I’ve learned that stepping back actually helps me move forward with more clarity. Sometimes that means going for a walk, sometimes it’s turning off my phone and just breathing for a bit. I’ve also gotten into the habit of journaling when my head feels too full—it helps me sort out what’s actually bothering me versus what I’m just spiraling about.

One thing that really works for me is breaking things down. When everything feels urgent or too big to handle, I ask myself: What’s one small thing I can do right now? That usually gets the ball rolling and makes the chaos feel a little less loud.

And honestly, leaning on people helps. Whether it’s a friend, collaborator, or mentor—just talking it out can shift everything. You don’t have to carry it all alone. So if I had to give advice, it’s this: don’t ignore the overwhelm. Pause, breathe, and take things one step at a time. You’ll find your rhythm again.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vimeo.com/1042698893
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zemophotographer?igsh=MW1ncHhweWgzaTY4Mw==
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/karthikgp