I chatted with the versatile director, cinematographer and actor Shahbaz Shigri. He has acted in films such as Slackistan and worked as a director in Gol Chakkar and Assistant Director in the recent Verna. Learn more about him in an insightful tete a tete.
Your fans want to know more about Shahbaz Shigri. What would you like to share?
Let’s see. I can’t read or write in Urdu. I know it is a shame. Alongside direction and cinematography I’m also an editor and a VFX artist. I wanted to be an actor before I became a filmmaker. I don’t like beaches and never watch horror movies at night. I’d much rather just be a fat cat and sleep all day.
When did you realise that direction was more than just a hobby? Did you expect to take it up as a career?
I can’t really recall that exact moment many people have. I know that as a kid, Robocop and Terminator 2 were two movies that blew my mind. Each time I watched a movie growing up, I’d find myself enjoying the production design, light and shadows and the way a certain shot was executed. It wasn’t until 2008 that I began thinking that maybe I could explore filmmaking as a career. After my first day in film school, I was convinced. That was it.
Having studied abroad, was it difficult to apply practical knowledge of western film making to Pakistani films?
It is difficult in the sense that our sets work quite differently here; department divisions and crew roles can differ. As far as practical knowledge of a film goes, it’s a global language, one that transcends borders and cultures. I think instilling a bit of what western films offer in their structures, character arcs and production processes and applying it in our movies wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
What films are you fond of?
I’m big on action movies, science fiction and Korean cinema. I enjoy the visual language of a film far more than dialogues. My favorite films are Robocop, Terminator 2, Fifth Element, I Saw the Devil and Star Wars (even the one with Jar-Jar Binks). A few honorable mentions are Blade Runner and The Raid.
What would you alter about an average Pakistani film in view of direction and cinematography?
Every director has his or her own perception and style applied to films, and since art is subjective, I don’t know if I have an answer to that. If anything can change, it would be diversification of genres. I’d also like to see writers ditch the love triangle theme.
Do you think because of box office numbers, one has to compromise the quality of films?
I don’t think the box office affects the quality of films. The higher the quality, the better the box office response will be. What it probably does affect is the nature of the content and how it is packaged. That is just business, like in any other industry. Some films can be box office breakers, while others can be critically acclaimed trend makers. They don’t always have to be both.
Has living in Islamabad restricted your work ethic and limited opportunities for you?
I guess it is a bit restricting as Islamabad is kind of a bubble. At the same time, I love this place; it’s my home. Even with heightened obstacles, I really believe in this place and the talent that exists here. There is a flawed perception that there is only one way to make it in the film industry, and that is if one moves to Karachi. Either way, whatever it is I’m doing here, I need to see it through.
How important is the role of an assistant director and what are his/her core responsibilities?
Crucial, I would say. Assistant directors are essentially running the sets. Their key role is to execute the Director’s vision where logistics and production are important. It allows the director to fully focus on the film. Specifically, the AD breaks down the script scene by scene, creating a detailed schedule for the whole shoot, communicable to the entire cast and crew.
Shahbaz Shigri thinks the box office does not affect the quality of films. The higher the quality, the better the box office response will be. What it does affect is the nature of the content and how it is packaged, he says
Is acting on the back burner for you or are you considering new TV/film projects?
There’s something in the works. I can’t really talk about it. All I can say is that it is a film, and hopefully people will enjoy it
What things do you consider imperative in directing an ideal Pakistani film?
I don’t know what an ideal Pakistani film would be. I’d just want to make a movie that I’d want to watch; ideal or not. I don’t think movies should be made like products. Films are more intuitive. They should provide the viewer with an unexpected experience.
What goal have you set for yourself this year?
My major goal is to quit smoking and to complete my feature film, something that is more tangible than it has been before.
What has been your life’s greatest lesson to date?
No matter what your goals are, nothing is more important than your significant others; family is where it all starts, and where it all ends. Everything else is extra. The crux is to never take anything or anyone for granted.
The writer is a model and an actor. He can be reached at [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, February 19th 2018.