Hanaa Saleh Alfassi is a Producer/Screenwriter/Film Director. She attended the Academy of Cinema Arts & Technology for Filmmaking from 2003 – 2005, and Ain Shams University for a Bachelor’s degree, Mass Communication/Media Studies from 2001 – 2005.
BE: Where did you go to school?
HSA: I went to school in Egypt. I had mass communication for a four-year bachelor degree, and at the same time I had a cinema film making course for three years.
BE: What was your experience as a student like?
HSA: At the beginning, I didn’t really know that I wanted to go into art. I’m going to tell you my process. The first thing I did was 3-D animation in high school, but it was not real enough, and I thought it needed more reason. So I stopped the 3-D animation and did photography, but after photography, I thought I needed more life in my photographs. So the only thing that came to my mind was film making. Then I knew what I really needed to do. I just needed to tell a story along the way.
BE: What did you get out of school that continues to help you today?
HSA: The best thing was the practical part, and not the theory. The best thing was when we actually had the chance to film things and to edit and to meet some pro film makers in Egypt. Because that’s exactly the same thing that I’m going through right now. I guess the theory gave me some rules for film making so I knew how to make my own style.
BE: If you could be a student again, what would you do differently?
HSA: I don’t believe I would have done anything different. It’s the same process. When you’re a student you’re just discovering yourself as an artist, and your points of strengths and weaknesses.
BE:What do you do in your job?
HSA: Basically now I’m a producer/filmmaker/screenwriter, but I started as a production assistant in TV commercials. I was a boom alterator, video assistant, and I was a script supervisor at some time. I did a lot of things in the production industry and mainly now I’m a producer but when I have the chance, I direct. I direct short films, Tv commercials, and some documentaries.
BE:What is an average day like for you?
HSA: Two things: If I have a project, I’m going to be working on that project. In the pre-production phase, we prepare for the project, find the location for filming and who will be in the cast work through things like interviews. In the production part, we actually film it. Then the post-production is where we attend reviews and things like that. When I don’t have a project, I’m a freelancer. So I’m usually working on screenplays with a cowriter.
BE:What do you enjoy most about your job?
HSA: I think that I have the chance to be creative. I can translate my ideas and my thoughts into a visual image.
BE:So you most enjoy the process?
HSA: Yes.
BE:What do you find most challenging?
HSA: In the media in general, filmmaking is very, very competitive. In the U.S. I had the chance to be a Second Assistant for SnapShot Pictures, so I was exposed to a different world of terminology than in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, I was sure that it is the most competitive field you can ever be in. A lot of people want to prove themselves as writers and filmmakers, but you can’t just be good, you have to be great. You have to keep trying to be the best. At some point it can be very depressing, but it is right when you have to decide that you’re not giving up and you’re going to keep trying.
BE: How did you get to where you are today?
HSA: I got to a point where I was sure that filmmaking is really what I wanted to do. I am going to pursue my MFA in filmmaking. I have been working in production for seven years now and I am sure that this is what I really want to do. I just have to make sure I am really exposed to the feature film production and I started that by working with Indie films.
BE: What advice would you give to the young artist who is interested in pursuing the career you’re in?
HSA: Never be a filmmaker. Hahaha…No no no, it’s just that…the advice is if you really want to be a filmmaker, a producer, a writer or something in the production field, just know that you are going to have to face a tremendous amount of depression and challenges. You have to be prepared for that. You have to believe in yourself and whatever talent you have, and you just have to work on yourself and keep moving on. That’s the main advice.
BE: How could they get started?
HSA:Internships. A lot of internships. And then sometimes you have to compromise. So for example, taking jobs low in payment but with a tremendous amount of experience. You won’t get a good salary at the beginning, but you just have to take any chance you’ve got at the production world. You want to be a filmmaker but you have a chance to be a Production Assistant in New York or something and you don’t really want to do it, but go for it. That’s what makes a good filmmaker. It’s about going through all the experiences in the production world.
BE: Do you have a website?
HSA: I have a Youtube channel, and I’ll send you the link.
BE: Would it be okay for my professor or other students to follow up with you later on if they have any questions?
HSA: Yes.
BE: If so, what is the best way for them to get in touch with you?
HSA: Facebook or E-mail.
E-mail: hanaa_alfassi@hotmail.com
Resume: www.linkedin.com/in/hanalfassi/
Filmwork: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL28F88A6397DE301F
Film Stills:
