Vedant Chavan
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 2: The power and craftsmanship of cinematographers are so ingrained in cinematic history that most of our film nostalgia would be hopelessly inadequate without the men and women who helped establish them. Vedant Chavan, an aspiring Indian-American cinematographer, discusses his artistic endeavours in this exclusive interview.
Can you brief us about yourself, your academic qualification and how you started in filmmaking?
I was born and raised in Mumbai, and my upbringing as a typical Bombay cinema-goer drew me to the arts and aesthetics. My artistic journey has pushed me to take classes in different art forms like drawing, music, dance, acting and finally filmmaking in order to tell stories. I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Films, Television and New Media Production from Usha Pravin Gandhi College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Mumbai. I also hold a one-year Cinematography degree from New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, California and that is currently where I am based in the States.
You’ve worked on award-winning narrative medium content in feature films, short films, music videos and Advertisements. Brief us about some of your famous projects?
When it comes to creating content, I’ve worked as a filmmaker, cinematographer, and even as a Camera Operator, First Assistant Camera, and Gaffer alongside award-winning production studios. I worked as a behind-the-scenes cinematographer on the film “Jug Jugg Jeeyo” for Dharma Productions (2020-21). I also executed my responsibilities as a cinematographer for the short film “Shayri Aur Tum,” which is now available on Disney+ Hotstar. On the Advertisement front, I worked on a Being Human Winter Collection advertisement campaign video with Bollywood king Salman Khan. I consider myself fortunate enough to have worked with big stars and directors as it gave me a solid platform to showcase my talent and also improvise my skills with their learned experiences.
Do you own your own production house?
I do run my own production company, “Pack Up Pictures,” with a group of my college friends from graduation. We worked together on a lyrical song called “Dil Na Janeya” from the film Good Newwz (2019), which was produced by Dharma Productions. We also worked with Tahira Kashyap on her video series “The Lockdown Tales,” which was well-received and shared by many well-known artists in the movie industry. Moreover, we worked on a music video for Shashaa Tirupati’s “Beparwahi.” In years to come, we aim to become the one-stop shop for in-house pre-production, production, and post-production, having capabilities to produce, edit, and finish projects without having to hire an external service, which is usually expensive.
What is the one quality that every DP must have in order to be successful in the film industry?
I believe it would be a point of view. Everyone sees the world through their own eyes, and this uniqueness is what the director of photography brings to the film, depending on the story. Since directors of photography, work closely with directors and film crews to create important visual effects for film and TV, they should have the ability to read through screenplays and choose appropriate lighting, angles, framing, and filters to create the mood of the film. DP has to have a strong sense of what is absolutely necessary for the story and to create a balance through what one has to offer. Therefore, it’s critical to choose wisely and only then your way of seeing will be remembered.
Are you an advocate of movies as a social force?
Artists and filmmakers have long been at the forefront of significant socio-cultural discussions. Art can be a gateway into a moment in time, exploring the issues that are most troubling audiences. Bringing individual stories to life and making even the surreal, insignificant, or distant seem urgent and immediate. Importantly, movies can give legitimacy and a platform to movements, figures, tragedies, and successes that have not received adequate coverage in the mainstream media.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in cinematography or filmmaking?
There are no norms that confine filmmaking, and it all comes down to weaving a strong thread from one’s intellect. My advice to aspiring filmmakers and cinematographers is to stay true to the craft. It is always important in filmmaking to depict an honest and unfiltered portrait of whatever you are attempting to display. One must also have a knack for storytelling to be able to tell a story judiciously while also upholding all the other artists who work on the set. Therefore, respecting the art of filmmaking and telling stories with passion is important.
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