Meet Parissa Pirouzan Glaser

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Parissa Pirouzan Glaser. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Parissa, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Coming from a tech background as a Middle Eastern immigrant woman, I always felt that my life experiences and perspective were different from that of my peers and colleagues. While it can be a lonely and emotional place, for me the path to success has been through hard work and perseverance. Likewise my transition from tech to filmmaking required dedication, through preparation and showing that I have done my homework in order to earn the trust and respect of my crew and collaborators. A key strategy for me has been to put my emotions aside, think critically and be humble and open to learning and adapting.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m an indie filmmaker born and raised in Iran. My journey began with a scholarship that led me to Spain, where I earned a Ph.D. in Translation from the University of Salamanca. After completing my education, I moved to the US and worked for nearly a decade on international teams at YouTube, Google, Uber, and Pinterest, focusing on localization and launch of features and products in new markets and languages worldwide.

I had always dreamed of becoming a filmmaker, but I initially didn’t pursue this aspiration. However, living in the US, the melting pot of diversity, I started noticing the misrepresentation or rather lack of representation of authentic Middle Eastern women like me in films and TV shows. This realization became a powerful motivation for me to pursue filmmaking, with the goal of telling our own narratives and showcasing the strength and resilience of Middle Eastern women. I want to highlight the battles that we face in order to stand on equal ground with our counterparts in the West.

I now run an indie production company called Now Or Never Productions, where my focus is to tell meaningful stories that encourage real representation by showcasing Middle Eastern cultures, languages, struggles and narratives through our own perspective. It is also a core principle of our production company to feature actors from diverse ethnic backgrounds to authentically represent themselves.

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?
Organization, problem solving skills and the ability to think critically. I think these abilities would empower anyone to divide a big challenge into smaller tasks and tackle them one at a time. Each person has a unique background and set of abilities. My recommendation is to focus on your own personal growth and path instead of comparing yourself to others, and work on developing transferable skills that will serve you both professionally and personally throughout your life.

Personally, my experience in the tech industry, particularly handling time-sensitive international launches for companies such as Google and Pinterest, served as a masterclass in managing complex projects and leading diverse teams. That experience proved to be a perfect training ground for film production, where each day is about navigating new challenges and keeping operations running smoothly, on time and on budget.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m always open to collaboration with fellow filmmakers who share the same passion and goals: to amplify and encourage genuine representation, to tell thought provoking stories that spark inclusivity and foster dialogue. Additionally, I am eager to partner with forward-thinking agents and investors who are passionate about enhancing representation in the industry, particularly amplifying voices and narratives from underrepresented regions and minorities. Please send me an email at contact@NoworNever.productions or connect with me on social media.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Images courtesy of Jorge Barba, Carlos Hernandez and Golnessa Tabrizi. © 2023 Now or Never Productions LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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