Every story we see on the silver screen has a separate tale of its making woven behind the scenes. For Kurush Mistry, it started as a simple investment during the 2008 financial crisis. This seemingly simple venture soon transformed into a deep and thrilling journey into the world of movie production.
The Making of the Script
Over a decade ago, Kurush was presented with an opportunity that seemed like a straightforward investment but eventually became a life-changing journey. The movie revolved around the lives of four young South-Asian professionals in New York. The script explored a gamut of themes – cross-cultural dating, traditional values versus liberal thinking, and hidden urban dowry, all under the stress of maintaining a work-life balance.
Behind the Scenes
What began as a small-budget film soon metamorphosed into an ambitious venture. As the script’s scope and the cast’s profile grew, the production necessitated a more crowd-sourced approach.
Kurush found himself becoming more embedded in the process, involved not only in budgeting and finances but also in hiring essential personnel, negotiating disputes, and even altering parts of the script.
Unexpected Challenges and Frequent Changes
Like all first-time filmmakers, Kurush and his team faced innumerable challenges. Sometimes, it was the unpredictability of locations; other times, it was unanticipated costs. Disputes with actors, last-minute equipment needs, and changes in the script as the profiles of the cast grew – it was a rollercoaster ride. The financial aspect was equally unclear as the initial plans for an ultra-low budget quickly turned into a crowd-sourced approach due to the increasing demands of production.
Stepping Up and Venturing into New Roles
As the production’s challenges grew, so did Kurush’s involvement. From finances to hiring key personnel, from negotiating actor disputes to re-writing chunks of the script, Kurush found himself increasingly engrossed. The emotional intensity peaked when he saw a scene he co-wrote being acted out and filmed. As he recalls, it produced a reaction strong enough to bring tears to his eyes.
Marketing Challenges and Commercial Returns
While the movie managed to be screened across various theaters in the U.S., the commercial returns were disappointing. According to Kurush, the significant contributors to these underwhelming returns were the absence of a comprehensive marketing plan and the struggle to entice a diaspora audience without any renowned ‘stars’ to watch the movie.
Despite the poor commercial performance, Kurush deeply cherishes this opportunity. It was a venture into an unknown territory that required him to manage people, confront strong egos, work through role friction, and even handle the unpredictable movie-making process.
Apart from the decision-making and management skills he honed, it was the opportunity to express his creative side, which Kurush values the most. It was a significant break from his structured academic and work life – a ride wild enough to unsettle him but also fascinating enough to keep the creative fires burning.
Advice for Aspiring Movie Producers
Looking back at his journey, Kurush advises future movie producers to manage their expectations, understand the value of intangible returns, and brace themselves for the roller coaster ride that is movie production. His journey is a testament that creating movie magic involves more than just cameras and lights; it’s about the heart, sweat, and tears of bringing a vision to life.
Kurush wishes he knew certain things before taking the plunge. Hiring a more experienced team, having basic knowledge of regulations and union rules, managing people and personalities, and dealing with role friction – these would’ve made his journey less grueling.
Kurush’s story is a testament to the fact that movie production is a tumultuous process filled with challenges that require creativity, spontaneity, and relentless perseverance. But at the end of the day, the experience leaves you enriched and rewards you with unforgettable memories. It’s indeed like creating movie magic.
