Meet Wahid Reza | VFx/Animation Production, Writer, Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wahid Reza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wahid, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I am a workaholic. I used to work 10-12 hrs days. When you are working in animation/vfx you usually have long hours. On top of that I love wiritng at night. So often or not I’d work 10-12 hrs days at work. And still stay up pretty late to finish a script or two. Over the years I realized it is not sustainable. Not if you want to maintain a good physcial and mental health. But my biggest change came ever since I became a dad three years ago. I have been trying to spend more and more time with my daughter. That motivated me to work on shows that has relatively less over time. I still sneak in 1-2 hrs work when she goes to sleep. But currently the priority is definitely her.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I was born in Bangladesh and raised in a very interesting household. My mother was a very cool girl. She loved sci-fi and superheroes. So, I was introduced to them at a very early stage. I knew who Captain America was before I understood the concept of America as a country. I was exposed to books and comics in such an immersive way that storytelling was an integral part of my life.

That’s why writing was always on the cards for me. I started writing poetry, lyrics, and stories at a very early stage. They got published in the local newspapers and magazines. When I was at the university getting my BSc in Mechanical Engineering, my part-time job was to work as an Associate Editor for the longest-running satire magazine in Bangladesh called “Unmad”, which means “Crazy” in English.

I ended up writing the first-ever short film made at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), my alma mater. It was then I got the taste of writing scripts and immediately I was hooked. So, after my graduation, I told my parents that I wanted to be a writer. I’m the only child of a south asian parent. So, you can imagine their thrill! First 6 months after my graduation when people would ask my parents, what does your son do now? They would reply, he just graduated. And each time they would say it, their jaws would clench. And It was until I got my big break as a tv actor and my face started popping up everywhere, and my scripts started to get produced, their jaws remain clenched.

Very quickly I wrote over 50 episodes for tv, over 100 tv & radio commercials, and several tv films. Very soon I became the copy head of the biggest advertising agency in Bangladesh. I also starred in numerous tv productions and commercials, from local to international organizations such as BBC World Service Trust. But I kept wanting more. I really wanted to work in Hollywood films. Hoping someday to write, direct, and even act in Hollywood production. So, I packed my bags and moved to Vancouver to do a second Bachelor’s Degree in Film Production from the University of British Columbia.

After graduation, I immediately started working in the animation/vfx industry. and I have been working in the industry for 10 years now. I have had the pleasure of working on some of the biggest productions in the last decade. As per IMDb pro, the production I contributed made 8.88 billion dollars at the global box office. I know my contribution to that is small, but a small percentage of such a big number is still something. I am honored to have credits on Emmy-winning shows Rick and Morty to the Oscar-nominated show Spider-Man: No Way Home.

But I kept on writing. My scripts have been a quarterfinalist at Scriptapalooza (2018), ScreenCraft Animation Competition (2022), Filmmatic – Inroads Fellowship Season 6 (2023), a semifinalist at Script2Comic (2022), Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards -Diversity Initiative II (2022) and a finalist at NYC Midnight Screenwriting Challenge (2020). My original pilot has been on the Red List in Coverfly for the months of February, March & July in 2023. I have worked as a freelance writer for companies such as Yellow Animation, Ferlyco, Wondery, Epic Story Media, Outfit 7, Bidaya Media, and Omens Studios.

I sincerely hope I’ll get to create my own shows in the near future. I’m actively working on multiple long and short-form ips in both live-action and animated space. I can’t wait to share them with all with the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Persian food. There is a great Persian restaurant in my neighborhood called, Shamshiri Grill. So far that has been the go to spot for me. I also like going to the century city mall. They have great collection of restaurants and a movie theater. It’s a good place to hangout. I’m still new to LA. So, the usual touristy place such as Santa Monica pier, Universal studio, Venice beach works pretty well when someone visits.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate three wonderfully talented people I have had the pleasure of working with over the years. David P.I James, who was my producer on Batman Vs Superman, Doctor Strange and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. David has been a great mentor and a wonderful friend. He is also a writer. So, it’s just great to bounce ideas with him all the time. Daniel Canfora, who is like my best feriend in the industry. We worked together at MPC and at Sony Imageworks. Daniel is an Emmy winning artist who is just a riot to hangout with. He also cooks a delicious burger. And lastly, Terrie Snelgrove who has been my producer for my animated short film with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). NFB has had 12 Oscar wins and 75 Oscar nominations. To be selected as a Writer-Director for an animated short by them was rather overwhelming. But, Terrie has guided me throught the journey like an angel. I couldn’t have done it with out her.

Website: https://www.directors.ca/directors/wahid-ibn-reza

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wahid-ibn-reza-34522a15/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bapzz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wahid.i.reza/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/wirfilms

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4485867/