Meet Disha Shah | Production Designer & Architect

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

Hi Disha, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“It is not a bad life, it is just a bad day.”

I think most us or well at least I often start thinking about the decisions or the choices that I’ve made in life, doubting myself because some things aren’t going according to plan or there are certain hiccups along the way, in those times its often easy to start doubting your worth/skills. the imposter syndrome is difficult to let go of, Take it one day at a time. keep working, keep your head high cause in the end, after everything, things always turn out for the better.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I come from a family of doctors, but never once did I even think of considering to become a doctor, I guess watching my elder brother go through medical school only made me sure of this decision, while he was thriving and still is, I knew it wasn’t for me. I wanted to be in a field that was creative. I loved making things and solving puzzles, I’m still obsessed with Sudokus and Jigsaw puzzles.

I was 12 when we were building my now home. I would tag along with my parents when they went to the Architect’s office. There was something about that place, that environment I felt so drawn to. watching those 3D models and drawings that I hardly understood at that time, come to life was so satisfying and intriguing. Like most 17/18 year olds I did not know exactly what I wanted to do but the good thing was that I knew what I did not want to do. At that time Architecture felt like the right thing to do. Honestly I really enjoyed the initial years of Architecture school, now when i look back, I believe I enjoyed the first three years so much because of the variety of courses that we had, there was a time where I enjoyed the elective courses more than the architecture deign classes. Structure and building codes wasn’t my thing. One of the elective courses was Stage and Set Design. I loved every minute of that course. Bringing the words to life and world building was just so satisfying and fun.

I am from India, so obviously I grew up watching and loving Hindi movies (more commonly known as Bollywood) and regional Gujarati theatre, that my parents would take me and my brother to. I love the music, dance and colours of Bollywood. As I grew up and came across more films from around the world my love for films grew too. Right before I started Architecture, I went on a trip to the UK, where I went to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter tour. I was mind-blown by those sets. To see how those drawings and the models turned into the amazing world that Harry Potter is was truly magical. Thats when the bug of Production Design set in me. After taking that elective course during architecture school I finally knew what I really wanted to do.

I had no experience in the film industry nor did I know anyone around me who had taken up such a different course. So obviously, I did what anyone in my place would do, I googled the best films schools for Production Design. I deep dived into multiple production design courses across the world,.The hands on, practical learning was something that I deeply cared about. That’s when I first came across The American Film Institute conservatory. While I loved the course, it had a very low acceptance rate. I doubted if I would even get into a master’s program considering I knew practically nothing about film making. But I took the plunge, and I got in.

It sure was scary. I was leaving everything and everyone I knew and loved behind and moving across the world. The Imposter Syndrome sneaked in too. But my parents, brother and my best friend were my biggest supporters and cheerleaders. I’m so thankful for them. It’s been a year now, and I’ve never enjoyed learning more. It sure is stressful at times but I have no regrets. I love doing this. I’m finally happy doing what I’m doing. When I look back at the year I have had I realise how much I’ve grown and just how much I have learnt. I have met the most amazing creative people. I learn so much from just being around these people. I have now designed three short films and one visual essay. We will be starting the preproduction for my thesis film and I’m so excited for it.

I love world building and Production Design and I hope to continue doing what I’m doing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
After a year, it still feels surreal that I’m now living in LA. I’m still exploring LA myself, but for a friend visiting, I’d definitely do some of the classics. Hike up to the Hollywood sign or to Griffith. An evening at the Santa Monica pier on the ferris wheel at sunset. i would definitely take them to Porto’s Bakery. I love that place. Din Tai Fung has been a new favourite. Also there’s something about American diners that is so charming to me, so we’d hit one of those up. When I first came up here, I went on this architectural walk in and around Downtown, that was fun. It’s crazy the number of architectural styles this city has, every block you go to is a different experience. We would also hit up a road trip, for a couple of days towards Big Sur perhaps. Towards the end of the trip, I would cook something for us and enjoy it on my apartment rooftop, it has some stellar views and the rooftop has become a comfort place for me.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Parents, my elder brother Rutul, and my best friend Mahimna

Instagram: https://instagram.com/disha13599?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM=

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/disha-shah-9278051a5

Other: dshah@afi.edu