Bardya Ziaian is a Canadian filmmaker and entrepreneur who has been able to channel his lifelong love affair with cinema into the creation of his own film production company, Bardya Pictures LTD.
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Q: What first sparked your interest in filmmaking?
BARDYA ZIAIAN: I’ve always loved movies and been fascinated by the process of making them. I’m a math guy, and initially, I liked the puzzle aspect of it, where every piece fits together to form a seamless whole – from writing to casting, to how lighting affects a scene, and so on. The more I’ve learned, the more I want to learn. And I’ve been lucky enough to be able to build a very talented team who contribute to making our projects a reality.
Q: What did it feel like when you wrapped production on your first film?
BARDYA ZIAIAN: I would say I was both elated and relieved. I learned that the real “movie magic” is actually getting the movie made! There are so many moving parts and things to consider that it can make you crazy with doubt and worry. So when it was over, there was this real sense of “we did it! We pulled through as a team, and we survived!”. For all that hard work, for all those long hours, we have a finished movie. It was the culmination of a lot of hard work.
Q: Why did you decide to start a production company during the pandemic?
BARDYA ZIAIAN: Such a great question! One of the main reasons is that I knew it would help to create jobs. That’s actually why I decided to shoot our first movie, Super Dicks, even during lockdowns instead of waiting until after the lockdowns ended. You had these extremely talented professionals out of work due to something that wasn’t their fault. I always wanted to make a movie, and I love a challenge.
Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to make their first film?
BARDYA ZIAIAN: Do it! Don’t just jump into it, mind you. Assemble your core team, make sure you cast your film with the best possible people, and understand that there is no step-by-step guide to making a movie. So, if things go wrong during a filming day, you have to be able to come up with creative solutions. Finally, have fun! If you are lucky enough to make a movie, you are getting to breathe that rarified air. So enjoy it because it will be over before you know it.
