Sara Rangooni Talks About Short Film 'Leveled '

1. Please tell us a little about yourself and your cinematic background. How did you learn filmmaking? How did you get into this field?

My cinematic background has been a journey, beginning with my Dad, whose love for films was contagious. Growing up in a South Asian household, my immigrant father had a peculiar love for western and black and white films. Looking back, I think he just gravitated to what cinema was always supposed to be about, telling a good story and making people feel something. I guess in some ways, he inspired me unknowingly to tell stories of my own, which is why it often comes so easily to me.

Personally, I don’t think there’s one way to become a filmmaker, my story is unique in that, I didn’t realize it was an option until after I kept choosing the wrong career in my life. It was then that I decided to take my secret writing fests at night to another level and learn the ins and outs of filmmaking. I enrolled in over 20 filmmaking classes at various institutes around the world along with screenplay classes at the University of Toronto. I knew if I wanted to pursue a career in writing and directing, I would need to understand all facets of the art. From volunteering on set, to director shadowing and entering screenplay competitions, I learned the art of filmmaking through an academic and practical lens.

2. Do you think studying in the field of cinema or studying in film schools around the world is a must to become a filmmaker?

Personally, I think it’s subjective and different for everyone, depending on their circumstances and which phase of their life they are. For some, it makes sense to attend film school, variables such as, family support, resources and courage at times plays an integral part in that decision. While others. may decide to pursue a different path to their dreams, something more practical i.e. jumping directly into the industry and learning as they elevate from position to position. Or perhaps even, choosing the wrong career at first only to realize what they were truly meant to do, to begin with. Regardless of the path to becoming a filmmaker, what I think is important is the why?  What’s driving you to become a storyteller and your intention behind it.  Good intentions will always motivate you to become the best filmmaker you can possibly be, regardless of whether you attend film school or not.  

Director

3. How did you come up with the idea of ​​making Leveled? Tell us about the process of writing the script. How do you choose your subjects?

Leveled was born from a would, coulda, shoulda kinda moment, but not my own, from my maternal Grandmother, my Nani, who I was very close to. It was towards the last final days of her life that I started to think about how I wanted to tell the Leveled story. I wondered what her life’s trajectory would have been if she was given a different set of circumstances, i.e. born in a different time, a different place, would she have had the courage to pursue her dreams. It took me around nine months to complete the script and the one question I constantly found myself debating was the narrative I wanted to create from this story. The depiction of Muslim women in the media has not always been accurately portrayed, this story was meant to change the narrative. My feature screenplay of Leveled, is also a heightened version of the short – the idea is to portray a nuanced arc in character and stories centred around ethnic-communities.

4. What do you think is the status of short films today?

I like to think that short films will always belong first and foremost to the indie filmmaking world. That’s not to say we’ve taken ownership of the craft of making shorts, but it really does serve a unique purpose, from experimental art on a budget to a calling card for filmmakers who have yet to be discovered. So long as festivals, such as this one exist, filmmakers like myself can find the support we need to keep us going, motivated and hope for the next big thing in our careers.  The reality is, the majority of short films don’t see the light of day from a commercial lens, but there is still so many people whose love for cinema allows them to venture outside of the norm and appreciate art for what it was always supposed to be – a story that makes you feel something. It’s challenging for us filmmakers, who are working on tight budgets, or no budgets at all but still have a dream to make something meaningful. Social media has given so many of us another platform to express ourselves without the constraints of finances or even gatekeepers who sit at the top of the funnel creating barriers of entry for our stories to see the screen. So to answer the question, short films are an ever-evolving art form that will likely keep changing throughout the years, so long as the everyday people keep their love for storytelling alive.

Have films, especially those centered on female characters, been able to find their audience?

It really comes down what people/the audience is looking for when it comes to storytelling. I am drawn to strong female protagonists, I love watching their story arcs, especially the underdog story. I do think, if a story is good, it shouldn’t matter what gender the protagonist plays, but as an audience member you’re fixated the character arc because of its relatability and connectivity.

5. How did you cast your actress Srishti Birla? And tell us about the rehearsal process that led to playing the desired role.

The role of Safa was so multi-faceted, so finding someone who was South Asian, who could dance and act as well had it’s challenges.  Ultimately, social media was a way for us to connect to our audience and we sent out tons of casting calls. Eventually, when I found our lead, I knew she was the one the minute I watched her on screen. It was sort of like this pull to her, she had this innocence yet drive to succeed and push boundaries. Srishit was amazing, and her character evolved in a way that made sense for her as an actor. She put her heart and soul in this character, and you can see that come to life on screen.

6. Please tell us which filmmakers have influenced you the most and which filmmakers do you consider to be influential on your work today?

Spike Lee is one of my all-time favourite filmmakers. I love how unafraid he is to push boundaries but also intertwine characters with their environments in the most favourable ways feed into the tone and theme of his stories. Greta Gerwig is another favourite, her writing is a masterful, and it has really influenced the ways in which I bring female centric stories to life on screen.

7. What was the hardest part of making Leveled?

Where do I start? It was extremely challenging, because we had a cast of 45+ actors, a 7 day shoot including two-day exterior shots and a pick-up day. I had an exceptional crew and cast that were so good at what they were doing, it alleviated a lot of the stress. In the moment, if you had asked me that question, I would likely speak to what many of us go through as filmmakers, long hours on set, the unsurety over a shot translating on screen in post-production and the stress of unpredictable events out of your control happening on set. Fast forward to now, where I’m working on several projects on screen, I would say the hardest part in making Leveled was believing that I could. There was a lot of doubt that I had, this film being my very first real short with a budget that it had. As the days progressed, shooting just became fun, easy and I could feel myself really easing into my role. Once I got out of my head, it was a journey I knew I needed to do again and realized even more how important it was for me to keep on this path.

8. What was challenging about directing Srishti Birla and what do you ultimately consider to be your strength as a director?

There’s always going to be challenges that come with directing, but I always see them as an opportunity to grow. What was great about working with Srishti was our connection to each other and the story. We both understood what needed to be done to bring Safa to life onscreen, which is why we started working together a few months before filming. Learning about one another, not just on a professional level but also a personal one really helped when it came time to shooting, because we had an understanding which made working together feel so natural and easy. As a director, I truly enjoy working with actors and learning about who they are as people as well. It brings a sort of nuance to the character they’re about to bring to life because it leaves room for them to add their own ingredients to the role, which becomes almost like an element of surprise for me. As a writer, we sit with this story for months, sometimes years and when casting is done right, the actor can create a new dimension to the character that at times I might have not even thought of. I enjoy giving that space to the actors, while also being able to guide them, it allows both actor and director to grow.

9. What do you think are the factors for an independent film like yours to be seen and recognized?

A lot of hard work, preparation and a bit of luck! There’s never one way to figuring out the map to having your films be seen or recognized, but there’s definitely a goal that can work towards. Believing in yourself and staying motivated is key and probably one of the most integral features of being an indie filmmaker. At the same time, understanding the market, the industry and the business side is just as important as well. Without a plan or knowledge of the industry you’re trying to work in, it will be challenging to even know where to begin your filmmaking journey.

10. What are the obstacles in the way of independent filmmakers today, and can a film like yours hope for internet networks or festivals?

To state the obvious, budget and buy-in’s are two very real obstacles that every filmmaker will face, it’s almost like a rite of passage and there really isn’t a secret sauce to it. The most important aspect to hold onto is the journey you’re on as a filmmaker, and make sure you continue to believe in your voice because the ebbs and flows of our industry are inevitable, but your voice should not change to align with what you think you need to do.

I definitely think there’s so many ways to see your film on screen, and the festival world and the internet have been most gracious and kind.

11. What has been the reaction of festivals and audiences who have seen your film to this day?

It’s been extremely humbling to be a part of now over 23 festivals. I haven’t had the opportunity to attend every single one, but the festivals I’ve been able to make it to, it’s been amazing to see the audience’s reaction to Leveled. Audience reactions have been extremely positive, so many people from all sorts of backgrounds and ages just relating to the story and feeling so much love for the lead, Safa. So many of them talking to me about their own dreams and how this film made them remember what it’s like to dream again. It was truly such a humbling experience and encouraging one as well.

12. Do you think you will make films in the same genre again?

Definitely!  Currently, I’m in the development stages of making Leveled into a feature film. Coming of age stories is a genre I’m never going to get over, but I also do love a good rom-com and dramedy which I continue to create stories around as well. But there is something so special with coming-of-age stories, the underdog how has a harder time believing in themselves, than others is so relatable and there is so many ways you can tell a story like that. I don’t think I’ll ever be tired of writing for this genre, but I would like to see these films from a different lens, a diverse one but also nuanced, and really diving in where character is at the centre of the film.

13. In the end, if you have anything that you think is useful for our audience, please let us know.

As a filmmaker, the journey we embark on is filled with so many questions, doubt but what keeps me going is my conviction to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Storytelling is what I was mean to be, so for any filmmakers who can connect to this, I encourage them to keep on their journey and tell stories from the heart. Just don’t give up, because you never know which story will lead you on an elevated path to who you were meant to be!