Jaskaran Brady

Can you explain to the audience your career?

Yes, sure. As far back as I can remember, I’ve had a love and appreciation for stories and movies. I wanted to make my own movies when I grew up. In college, I majored in Biology, but in 2012, I quickly got into the world of Film, after my friend, Aaron Riddle asked me to be involved in a project. It helped that I lived in Metro-Atlanta as at the time it was quickly becoming a film hub. I produced a few short films and web series around that time. Shortly after, I started directing and began making my own projects. In 2014, I started Farmin' Dreams Studios with my friends Jamar Rivers and Aaron Riddle. I continued to make short film and other video projects for contests and competitions. In 2021, I started Sardius Studios with A.M. Romero, where we continue to create Narrative Projects, as well as commercial and freelance projects. Lately, I have directed the TV Pilot, The Deadman’s Playground. I’m currently working on several feature film scripts as well as TV Pilot scripts, that I would love to get produced. My goal is to pull the greatest performances out of actors and bring out the best in crew.

How many years have you been making movies?

11 Years.

Why did you start making movies?

To let the world hear and see the stories that I have to tell. To bring to life the dreams I’ve had since I was a child.

Tell us a little about your project. What will the audience be able to see in your film?

She Closed Her Eyes When the Crows Sang, is about a young woman who is journeying through the woods as she battles the feelings of pain and abandonment. This is an experimental project, in which the main character is trying to conquer her problems. My hope is that the audience would make the story their own. There’s a lot of symbolism and some of that is up to interpretation.

Why did you do this project?

After my friend Emerald asked me to read the script, I thought that the film would look visually stunning as well as challenge the audience’s interpretation. My partner Alex was excited as well, so we did the Project.

One of the problems some directors encounter is directing actors and dealing with some actors, especially in the amateur world. How do you see this topic? What kind of work do you do with them?

When I first got started in Directing, I bought Judith Weston’s book, “Directing Actors”. That book helped me with how I speak to actors. I’ve sort of adapted to a method that I really like. I would breakdown the script and make detailed notes about the script, actions, the characters, their personalities, what I think their motivation in each scene is, etc. I’ll then E-mail these notes to the actors and tell them to think of ideas. Then we would get on a video call and collaborate on how to bring the character to life. I tell the actors to make the characters their own. I believe in giving the actors freedom as that can pull great things out of a performance. I’m usually not married to the script, so in some cases I tell the actors they can improvise as long as they get the point across. So my actor-director relationship is built on collaboration, but I make adjustments on set as needed.

A good movie takes care of all departments. But normally we can not allocate all the resources to have a good photography or spend a lot of money on sound post production or budget to hire actors. In your project what % have you allocated to. I don't just mean money but time as well. Of 100% of the time/money, what % did you dedicate to each department?

-Direction: 15%

-Photography: 40%

-Sound: 10%

-Postproduction: 15%

-Work with actors: 15%

-Art direction/locations: 5%

If you could go back, what would you change about this project? (1 thing only)

What I would change has to do with Cinematography. There’s a few more shots I wished we had, as well as use slow motion and timelapse for certain things.

What are you happiest about this project?

Gea Rose Henry’s performance as Crow Girl. In my opinión she did a very touching portrayal and put her heart into it. Overall, the entire cast and crew work their hearts off on this Project. I am very proud of them and grateful for all that they did.

Make a wish to the movie gods. What do you ask?

I wish to have the funds to direct feature length projects!

What movie would you have liked to direct?

Last Night in Soho by Edgar Wright. I loved how the film was set up and executed, but I would changed some things about the third act. Nevertheless, the film is a Masterpiece.

What kind of cinema do you like? Genre, directors, actors?

My favorite genres are Mystery thrillers, Film Noirs, Musicals and lately I’ve really been having a thing for Biographical Dramas. I also have a soft spot for some Bollywood Films. There’s so many Directors that I look up to. From Golden Age Hollywood to the Modern Era to Foreign Cinema. Here’s a few of my favorites: Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Alfred Hitchcock, David Fincher, Christopher Nolan, The Coen Brothers, Billy Wilder, Quentin Tarantino, Wes Anderson and Denis Villenueve. My favorite actor of All-Time is Humphrey Bogart. Other actors that I like are Cary Grant, James Dean, James Stewart, Gregory Peck, Denzel Washington, Lakeith Stanfield, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Shah Rukh Khan, Daniel Day Lewis, Anthony Hopkins, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger and Ryan Gosling. My favorite actress of All-Time is Jennifer Lawrence. Following in close second is Emma Stone. Some of my other favorite actresses include Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Lauren Bacall, Michelle Yeoh, Frances McDormand, Faye Dunaway, Natalie Portman, Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Ana de Armas, Penelope Cruz, Carey Mulligan and Deepika Padukone.

Imagine that all the movies are going to be lost. If you could save 3 movies, what would they be?

Star Wars: A New Hope, Casablanca and Vertigo.

If you have more projects underway, can you give us a bit of information?

I have a TV Pilot that I’m finishing up Principal Photography for. It’s called “The Deadman’s Playground”. In addition, I recently shot a few short films and planning to shoot several more in the coming months so that I can use them as springboards to make feature films based on them.Can you explain to the audience your career?

My first stage experience occurred in 1971 when I was at the nine years. The junior school I attended celebrated its 100th birthday and I was asked to ring a bell counting from 91 to 100 bell rings.

In 1980 I was employed at a cinema as projectionist (Kramer Vs Kramer & Rocky II) were the films that were being shown. Due to the video revolution cinemas began to close down and I was left without employment.

In 1982 I encountered new employment at a professional touring theatre company as a trainee musician and an actor. I learnt to play the keyboards and trained to be an actor. After five years of working at the company, my employment ended as government funds were cut.

From 1990 till present, I have always engaged in the arts as an actor. I relocated myself to Barcelona Spain and have lived here since. Much of my work has been related to Film and Television where I have worked with many Spanish household names playing both leads and supporting roles. One of the most acclaimed series I appeared in was Money Heist (Casa de Papel) where I played a surgeon conducting an online operation on Nairobi…

How many years have you been making movies?

The year 2023 has been my first year of film making.

Why did you start making movies?

I have always wanted to work in the film industry and since 1980 till now, I have had a good connection in the arts, (theatre, TV and Film) but mainly as an actor.

Tell us a little about your project. What will the audience be able to see in your film?

This a is short “Noir Drama” film which was inspired by a true story about a couple who meet on a blind date at a restaurant. The meeting starts of as a romantic date that turns pretty ugly near the end of the film. “A point of no return situation”

Why did you do this project?

I wanted to explore my artistic capabilities as a director and producer. It was a challenge to discover to what extent I was able to accomplish the project

One of the problems some directors encounter is directing actors and dealing with some actors, especially in the amateur world. How do you see this topic? What kind of work do you do with them?

As GEN X only required two main characters, I posted an advertisement in a professional chat group in sought of my cast. I then sent sides to the actors and finally chose the ones who fitted best for the role. Once I had decided on the cast, we carried out text readings and rehearsals on a number of occasions and prepared well for filming.

A good movie takes care of all departments. But normally we cannot allocate all the resources to have a good photography or spend a lot of money on sound post production or budget to hire actors. In your project what % have you allocated to. I don't just mean money but time as well. Of 100% of the time/money, what % did you dedicate to each department?

-Direction: 100%

-Photography 0%

-Sound 0%

-Postproduction 75%

-Work with actors 100%

-Art direction/locations: 50%

If you could go back, what would you change about this project? (1 thing only)

The location (a bigger place)

What are you happiest about this project?

The professionality of all who participated.

Make a wish to the movie gods. What do you ask?

I wish for the movie Gods to send a lot of work my way as a producer/director and actor.

What movie would you have liked to direct?

This is my first short I have directed; I cannot really say as my level of experience in film directing is still only in its infancy.

What kind of cinema do you like? Genre, directors, actors?

Thrillers, Dramas an Historical, Science fiction

Christopher Nolan, Guy Richie, Martin Scorsese

Robert De Niro, Al Pacino; Keanu Reeves, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Bradly Cooper, amongst others.

Imagine that all the movies are going to be lost. If you could save 3 movies, what would they be?

Gandhi

The Empire of the Sun

The las Emperor of China

If you have more projects underway, can you give us a bit of information?

I have three projects ready:

1) The Night Witches (feature Film) Steve Proswe

2) The analyst (a six-part 1 hour mini-series) Steve Prowse

3) Respira (a five-part 1 hour mini-series) Antonio Ocaña

4 (Box Run) (in script at the moment) (Jaskaran Brady)