The Oscar-winning Rayka Zehtabchi found her creative voice

"I was a young person," explains Rayka. "I was about to leave my position as a PA and Uber driver. It was a very exhilarating experience." Although, however unlikely winning might have been to Rayka in the moment, the event was not in any the least it was a fast-hit success. "It was a concept that was in the works for a long time at the time. But I don't know that we ever thought the possibility of being able to take part in the Oscars debate."

The production of the short was a labor of love. However, the recognition and fame that comes to that type of success had a price. The award was swift and quick and left Rayka looking for a reset. "I left the Oscars with the impression that I was required to make a change, and I needed to pursue my artistic voice as filmmaker," she says.

After four years, Rayka has reemerged as a pioneering documentary filmmaker, with an eye for storytelling and art. We caught up with Rayka to get more information about the process she used to identify her voice and what keeps her creative spark burning.

   How did you realize you'd like to be a filmmaker?  

Rayka A year I was 15, I believe. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do in the field of film. I believed that making directing enjoyable, producing sounds fun and production design is fun. I was able to dabble in other things when the time was at college. The most significant thing I had in my lifetime that gave me the idea and the confidence to believe that I was qualified to become a filmmaker, was the mentorship program. The film class I attended when I was at high school. It was called Film at Academy of the Arts.

I was really blessed to have been a part of this class as you begin learning about art at a really young age, then it suddenly doesn't feel like such an enormous hill to climb. It's as if you can see yourself in the same position. I was like, "I want to do this, but I don't like doing anything else."

   You're a pro in short documentary. What is the uniqueness of this technique?

Rayka It's true that I enjoy the short film format due to the first thing is the low barrier of entry. It doesn't require the most expensive budget or anything to go out and produce a short film. The stakes aren't too important. What the artist gets is greater flexibility in their creativity. It is the freedom to explore your voice, as well as not being so expensive. Explore new things.

Every film I've produced is original by the fact that it's a new concept or idea. It's not necessarily with the topic however, it explores something completely new. It's thrilling and fun not something I've ever been through before, however I'm sure that you always have the chance to explore that idea easily with more lengthy projects.

   It is common for your work to be issue-driven However it is important to not sacrifice style for the sake of story. What can you do to balance these?

Rayka Why I think my collaborators as well as me have a continuous conversation about form. What are we able to do to take our art beyond its limits in a way? Particularly in documentary, many instances, things occur that make it somewhat repetitive or you're moving toward the journalism sensibilities. The craft, however, is sometimes it's an afterthought. I think with us it's that we're always thinking of ways to place the craft and the storytelling prior to the storytelling.

Since the work should be real, technical, and technically solid. It should be a journey. your journey. The videos should entertain you. They must be an entertaining visually stimulating experience. Most of us, it is the only way allows you to combine all the splendor of artwork with human. This is why I think that each production we create must incorporate both.

   How has your life as a person of the creative arts was like after the announcement about your Oscar Award?  

Rayka It's Yes. It's certainly been an adventure. It's fantastic. There were some difficult periods. The path has been full of growth. It was an important move for me to complete. It is important to think about your position, and it is important to block out the sound. You must say "This is who I am. What is it I'm looking for? What's important to me?"

At this point that I realized that what was most important to me was that feeling of connection with what it was that I was working on, regardless of what it was. And so, the decision to take a step back allowed me to take a look at myself and think. It also allowed me to do the painful, challenging process to figure out which voice resonates with you, what you want to be and the kinds of things you would prefer to put your energy in.

   What motivates you?  

Rayka In truth, it's the tales. It is necessary to think for many hours, and then slog through the story before deciding if you're going to make the story. Since it requires a lot of effort, time as well as effort and emotional energy too. Personally, I find that regardless of whether I'm working, I'm emotionally involved in the task and will not agree to work unless I'm emotionally involved with this project in a manner.

You really have to be driven by your story or the message that you're sending out into the world and sharing your thoughts to the public. Would you consider this to be something you're capable of carrying during the course of creating the film?

You received your first Staff Select following the awarding of an Oscar How did you feel?

I can remember being satisfied, although we were just out of the Oscars the idea was just bursting out of our heads. It was extremely fun and amusing and got somewhat sloppy. The cost was about a couple hundred dollars. So getting a Staff Pick was a great thing because it was similar to when you got the recognition.

   What do you make use of during the course of your day?  

Rayka : I use almost all the time, in some manner. When it's because a wonderful acquaintance has given me a movie or Staff Pick that's wonderful and I have to see it to get some motivation. Or because I'm uploading my videos, and using the review tools.

or if I have to find the best talents. In other words, I recall when I was working in a particular project around the time of the pandemic which was a huge issue. I needed to locate an animator who did the exact type of animation. Then I went down the Staff Picks rabbit hole in the category animation. I would say I browsed through 30 pages or so. And I found an amazing animator that we ended having chosen for our project. I'd love to collaborate with the animator again. It serves as a tool as well as a source. It's always part of my food routine.

   What advice would you give others who are trying to find their voice?  

Rayka Rayka think it is easier to film than ever. For those who are just starting out. There are a lot of choices available, and you really just have begin making things and finding really what sticks and is important for you.

It's a lengthy process. It's not a thing that can happen over night. It's important to invest the effort in the process, and put in lots of time in researching what it is that you'd like to share your thoughts with others.

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