Meet Reem Al Shaini | Jordanian Production Design Student at AFI

We had the good fortune of connecting with Reem Al Shaini and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Reem, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Art inspires life, and I believe that movies are a big part of how we view the world around us, through film, we get to experience things we haven’t gotten a chance to experience in our life. I wanted to pursue a production design career here in Los Angeles because I want to be able to take part in stories that deliver important messages, and I want to be a part of how the middle east is portrayed in Hollywood.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always been inspired by movies and the worlds and emotions they bring to us. I was born and raised in Jordan, and I believe this gave me great exposure to cinema and art from all over the world. I have traveled a lot and visited different places, which I believe allowed me to explore different cultures and different ways of living. I wanted to be able to create worlds and make movies for as long as I can remember, I was always astonished by how production design in movies affects the emotions we get and feel through the screen. As an architect, I have a great love for design, and I have always had a great interest in the emotional effect of the design of a space and how it reflects on us. I am still getting started in perusing my dream, coming here to Los Angeles and starting my studies as a production design student was not easy, leaving my country right after I started building my career, but I know it is worth it. I want to be able to work on stories that deliver important messages. I want to be able to represent the middle east in films as a production designer.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I think Los Angeles in general is a great place to be. You are always surrounded by art everywhere you go, there is a lot to do outdoors. for me, a walk around the city and hanging out in parks is a perfect day. I cannot say that I have favorites spots already, I really like visiting museums and galleries and I try to take time to visit as many as I can.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am mostly thankful for the support and encouragement I have received, and I am still getting from my family back in Jordan, they are the ones who have always believed in me and made it possible for me to follow my dreams.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reemalshaini/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reem-alshaini/

Image Credits
Rami Arda Alaa Abbad