theculturalconnect.com | Nisha Ganatra

Nisha Ganatra

Young Hollywood Director Nisha Ganatra

It is a common assumption that you can’t get your foot through the door to Hollywood without being connected to someone within the industry. Yet the success story of Director Nisha Ganatra’s illustrates how the right combination of talent and tenacity can sometimes allow artists to be rewarded for what they know, as opposed to who they know. From selling hot dogs at a gas station to fetching coffee for the rock stars, Nisha literally worked her way up to the top- without any strings attached. Nisha directed and produced her debut feature film, Chutney Popcorn, which received acclaim at a multitude of international Film Festivals. Having been chosen to take the directorial lead behind high-profile projects such as MTV’s Real World New York and the narrative film Cosmopolitan, Nisha’s name is widely established throughout the highly-competitive film industry. While many might gripe about the demanding nature of most jobs within Hollywood, Nisha actually dislikes the downtime between projects and is her happiest when she’s working and interacting with other people. Workaholic or not, Nisha’s relentless dedication to the producing great, versatile films is inspiring to any individual attempting to pursue a career in the arts. Learn about how this one-time telemarketer transformed her talking skills into a well-respected directorial voice by reading the week’s Young & Professional Profile.

Website

www.ChutneyPopcorn.com

Name

Nisha Ganatra
Director and Producer

Hometown

New York, New York

Current residence

Los Angeles, California

Education

New York University, Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Tisch Film School

Work Experience

Director of Chutney Popcorn
Directed Cosmpolitan, Cake, Real World New York, Junky Punky Girlz
Planned Parenthood, Reproductive Health Educator
Third Wave, Board Member

Ethnicity

Indian-American
My mom is from Himachal and my dad is Gujurati

What's your background?

My debut feature film, Chutney Popcorn received much acclaim, garnering Audience Awards at the Berlin International Film Festival, Newport Film Festival, Paris International Film Festival and Madrid International Film Festival and Best Feature Film Awards at the Outfest Los Angeles and San Francisco film festivals.

I recently completed Cosmopolitan starring Carol Kane and Roshan Seth for PBS and ITVS. Cosmopolitan was selected by Input as one of the top ten films shown on public television this year. It was the only narrative film chosen for this distinction. I also recently directed a romantic comedy with Heather Graham, Cake. The film also stars: David Sutcliffe, Sandra Oh, Taye Diggs, Cheryl Hines and Sarah Chalke.

Last year, I directed the Real World New York for MTV and the Road Rules/Real World Challenge, which is currently airing.

Junky Punky Girlz, the short I directed while at NYU's Graduate Film School, won extraordinary recognition and many awards including: the prestigious Tisch Fellowship and the PBS Grand Prize for Most Outstanding Short Film of the year. Over 60 National and International Film Festivals have selected Junky Punky Girlz including the Walker Art Center and the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Most recently, Nisha was presented with the Docker's Original Vision Award, and the Max Factor Filmmaker Award for her work.

Before making films, I worked for Planned Parenthood as a Reproductive Health Educator, was on the board of Third Wave - a social justice activist group for young women, and held a prestigious internship where she got coffee for many, many rock stars. While at NYU, I studied with director Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, and Barbara Kopple. I was also the recipient of the Warner Brothers Production Award for her film work at NYU.

About your career

My bio kind of lays it out. But what it doesn't say is the pressure we feel as children of immigrants to be successful and to define that by the amount of money we make. It's really hard to embrace a career with so much financial uncertainty. It's hard enough in the first place - it's harder with the voice we have in our head telling us we don't belong in this kind of field doing this kind of work. You have to fight that voice actively to make it happen. I know that no one in our community supported me in what I was trying to do until AFTER the success of Chutney Popcorn. And while that is wonderful to have - it made it clear why the support was coming: success. Not effort or endeavor. I think that is something a bit specific to children of immigrants and we have to make sure we don't let success stories be the thing that motivates us -- because they all started somewhere and it wasn't always successful.

Most notable milestones

Making my first feature film was a big milestone. Everyone says it's impossible to get your first feature made. But you talk to anyone that does so - and they say "Try getting your second one done" -- it is a difficult thing to keep your focus on what made you want to make films in the first place and try to get back to making films for that reason.

What's makes you unique?

I think growing up Indian American has made me a more sensitive filmmaker. I seem to keep examining issues of identity and culture in my work -- it seems that we have a shared experience among all cultures -- "we" meaning kids of parents who immigrated to this country. I feel that I identify with these stories and that I can direct films from this point of view with more emotional depth than another director without the same experience might bring to the project.

What's the biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge is simply to feel entitled to the life of a filmmaker. Maybe it's a combination of things - but growing up with parents who worked very hard and continue to work hard at everything they do -- sometimes it feels quite indulgent to pursue a career in the arts. The other challenge is working in the Hollywood system and getting them to see that you can do more than tell stories that are specifically for South Asian audiences or containing South Asian themes. While I really enjoy telling these stories -- it's wonderful that I've managed to escape being held in that box of being able to ONLY do that.

What's in store for the future?

I'm working towards shooting my next independent film summer of 2007. And I'm also reading a lot of scripts and looking for another project to do within the Hollywood system.

Who would you like to be contacted by?

Writers with original ideas and screenplays or books that they have written. Musicians . Other filmmakers. Anyone with a passion for movies. If you contact me because you are interested in working on a film -- know that my next production is a low budget indie film. That means, long hours, hard work and little pay.

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Best way to keep a competitive edge

Keep writing original ideas. And Read. A lot. Read everything.

Guiding principle in life

Listen carefully to the people who tell you "NO" -- listen, and then go do it anyway.

Yardstick of success

I try to make sure that each film I do is more accomplished than the last in one way or another. It's such a tough industry because the moment you start comparing yourself to other people - you're lost. There will always be someone better at something than you are... you just have to make sure that you are still growing as an artist and challenging yourself to get better.

Goal yet to be achieved

Producing and directing an independent film that I've written without another writing partner.

Best practical advice

Go to Film School. Not just any film school. A good film school. Like NYU or if you are more commercially minded - AFI and USC.

Take writing classes. Don't stop. Keep learning and honing your skill as a writer. Because that is where all good movies come from, in my opinion, from good scripts and good books.

Read Respect for Acting. Love actors for all that they are. I know so many people who hate actors - but I love them. I don't know how I could do what I do if I didn't love actors.

Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture

My mom called me out of the blue one day and said "Nisha try to live a fearless life" that was one of the best things anyone has ever said to me. I try to think about that in times of doubt and it really does help you see that all of the obstacles - sometimes - are really based in fear and in your own head.

Of course she also said "If you don't learn how to cook or sew, who is going to want to marry you?" But we'll just forget she said that for now.

Mentors

Ang Lee - because he is so good at what he does and manages to be a good person in the world as well. So many people will try to tell you that you have to be a loud controlling or obnoxious person to direct. Whenever I hear about those people I try to remember: Ang Lee, David Cronenberg, Jonathan Demme, Mary Harron - these incredible directors that work in a very quiet and powerful way. It's not about being a control freak. These directors have taught me that it's about trusting the people you've chosen to collaborate with.

What motivated you to get started?

A desperate need to see something on screen that resembled my own experience and that of my closest friends.

Also I thought I was funny. But now that I know some professional comedians... I know better.

Like best about what you do?

Where do I start? I have the best job in the world. It's all about collaborating with artists who are the best at what they do. From the very beginning to the very end - you work with writers, actors, cinematographers, designers, sound artists, musicians, it goes on and on - it's incredibly satisfying and I feel like every day is different. I couldn't ask for more.

Like least about what you do?

The time in between films. I feel like my whole life is about trying to get on set and to make another movie -- and the downtime is awful. I really am happiest when I am working and with other people -- I love writing but the solitary nature of it can get to you -- I admire full time writers -- they are incredibly dedicated to be able to do what they do.

At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A veterinarian. Or an astronaut. I think I wanted to be both. Or just ride in the flight simulator machines and save animals.

What was your first job?

Selling hot dogs at a gas station. Then it was selling ice cream at a laundromat. Until I finally broke into telemarketing.

Biggest pastime outside of work

Everything is work in one way or another - that is what I love about my job.

I love to travel. That is what I spend most of my time away from "work" doing./li>

Also, I've finally been doing yoga in a more serious way - with emphasis on the Gita and the spiritual aspects -- it really does change your whole life

Okay so yoga and my favorite time killer - video games. Great combination - no?

Person most interested in meeting

There are so many people in this world that I would love to meet. I can't possibly narrow it down to one person. But off the top of my head: George Soros.

Leaders in business most interested in meeting

Tie between Pedro Almodovar and Jane Campion. Jane Campion because I find her films incredible and since she's in Australia most of the year it's almost impossible to get to meet her. But her films are inspired and her camera work is beautiful. She's a wonderful director. Pedro Almodovar because he is so wonderfully original and he is the reason I wanted to become a director in the first place.

Three characteristics that describe you

1. driven
2. optimistic
3. easy to laugh

Three greatest passions

1. comedy
2. watching actors and acting performances
3. laughing with friends and family

Favorite book

I just finished reading the Karma of Brown Folk again -- I find Vijay Prashad to be one fo the great thinkers of our time.

For fun I just read Mothsmoke and LOVED it. I found the characters and story very compelling.

Favorite cause

Doctors without borders.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Yes - that there is no reason I should be as successful doing what I do as I am. I did not come from a rich Indian family. I did not have a trust fund. There was no one in my family - nor will there ever be - who is connected in hollywood and can give me any kind of help breaking in. So if I could do it - so can you. If this is truly your dream - go do it. Make it happen. And don't forget to help others when you are in the position to. Because even though no one may really help you -- that isn't a reason to not kick down the door for everyone else when you can.

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Young Hollywood Director Nisha Ganatra

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