Meet Rafael Maman

We were lucky to catch up with Rafael Maman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rafael, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I try to stimulate it as often as possible through new connections and a constant lookout for new forms of art. Or at least forms/ genres that are new to me. I think it is a very active process of attending events, going to exhibitions, trying new sorts of films, books, music… And sticking to it, even though a lot of what I discover doesn’t necessarily resonate with what I like. Yet it keeps my mind open to different ways of thinking of the world, and that’s what keeps my creativity intact

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

I’m a film producer and director, specialized in thrillers with a touch of fantasy. Film is and has always been all my life, that’s pretty much all I can think about all day. Getting to work in this field is a blessing as it allows me to connect with people from all around the world, with very different perspectives and life stories. My most recent venture, Idea(L)Content expended my work on fiction film to digital content, which allows me to encounter new people every week and discover new universes, something very important for my creativity as a whole.

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 would say human management is capital, as my job can’t exist without an army of creatives and business people behind me. Being able to put people in positions in which they will give the most out of themselves is essential, and I truly believe it is a skill.

Then financial literacy is always important both as a producer and a director. you have to understand your costs to be able to dance around it, so to speak.

Finally I’d say resilience is the ultimate character trait in this business. Many people get overly affected when they’re being told “no” repeatedly, especially because of the personal connection to the projects we do in the arts businesses. But at the end of the day you have to remember all it takes is one person to say yes. So don’t give up!

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

They raised me with the idea that knowledge is power, and they did everything they possibly could to make me curious and thirsty of knowledge. They always pushed me to learn more and to see the positive learning output of any experience I have been in, good or bad. I think that pushes me to constantly get better and stay connected to reality as I discover every day how much I don’t know.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rafaelmaman.com
• Instagram: @rafa2323

Image Credits

Louis Hayot