Meet Elisei Baishev | Director, Screenwriter

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

Hi Elisei, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is something that has surrounded me since I was young. I decided to go into cinema because my life was at risk. When I was 7 years old, I became very ill. Doctors predicted that I would not live more than a week. In the hospital, I watched many movies and cartoons, that inspired me a lot. Of course, I am not going to say that this is what saved my life – this is due to the merit of doctors who, in the end, saved me. But for some small percent, I am sure, these movies and cartoons I watched gave me strength to also fight this illness. Since then, I started writing stories, that were published in my school newspaper. And soon enough I understood that making movies and showing stories I write is my calling, because if cinema managed to help save my life maybe my stories can also change or even save someone else’s life. And as the quote from the great movie “Schiendlier’s List” says: “Whoever Saves One Life, Saves the World Entire “. Since then, I have taken many risks. I mean, the whole movie insdustry is about taking risks, isn’t it? I left my country to study filmmaking in Canada, leaving many people and things I loved. I released a short movie during pandemic (which was another “great” experience, I should say) went back to my country for a year and then to Los Angeles, without nearly any money.
So, I’d say, taking risks is something that moves you forward. In Russia there is a saying: “who does not take risks does not drink champagne”. A very old quote coming from Imperial Russia. I really like this quote as it describes perfectly why you should try and take risks. What do you lose? Of course, everything might go wrong and you can end up in a bad situation. But life is about fighting, about trying, even if the whole world is against you. Another great quote that really supports me when I feel like giving up is the quote from one of the greatest historical figures of all time – sir Winston Churshill. The quote is: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” So, keep fighting. Changing the world for the better was never meant to be easy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Directing is never easy. One of the hardest things is to find your crew, who are not only professionals, but also understand your thoughts. Because english is not my first language, it is espacially imporant for me that my DoP and 1st, 2nd ADs know what I want. Because the better that the crew understand a director’s notes, the faster you do the shots and less stressful it is for everyone. I have worked in Canada, Russia, and now I am in LA. I can say that there is nothing more important than to keep your crew in a good mood, fed and to have good relations with the producers. A film crew is like an organism, where everyone plays a significant role. If one part of this organism starts to feel bad, it can affect the whole team and the project. That is why I always try to work with people I can not only rely on, but also who know how to deal with stress and are good people. It is important for me to work with people I feel a mood connection with.
Writing a screenplay is another, completely different thing though. For me, screenwriting is the most interesting part because, as I usually direct what I write, I start to see the shots, music and editing right during the screenwriting process. That is when the movie is born. Making a good story, that is emotional and metaphorical is what makes me happy. That is why I usually start to write the story backwards. I usually “see” the ending in my head, understand what led characters to this point and then start to fill in the story with other parts, that are emotional and lead logically to their catharsis.
Writing in English for me is another interesting thing, as I have been learning it since the age of 4, but there are still so many things in this language that I keep finding out, like special slang words. It is very interesting and fascinating. I love learning languages and I still learn english, even though I speak it nearly as good as my native russian.
Another fun thing about screenwriting is that writing a screenplay is like opening your soul, when nothing else matters but the story and the characters. The writer becomes a narrator without identity, a creature, that transforms letters and words into something much bigger. In my opinion, being a screenwriter is being a human without any regulations. Paper doesn’t care who you are, what you are or who you were. Paper cares only to be filled with symbols, that magically transform into universal language of a story, every human being can (or at least can try) to understand. Storytelling is something really universal, like music. I’ve been travelling around the world since the age of 3 and I think that is the best thing my parents could ever have given me. As Mark Twain said: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness…” That is why, I like to say that “in screenwriting, no one can hear my accent”. Because there is nothing more universal to people, than art. Art can be understood anywhere, even in times when humanity is divided.

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?
Though I am a newbie in this city, I would definitely recommed Oaks Gourmet and Boardners bar. The first place is a very good cafe, where I really like working on my scripts. The street is very picturesque and the food and drinks in this place are delicious. If anyone goes there, give a try to their Oaks Burger – one of the tastiest burgers I’ve ever had in the world. The second place, is one of the oldest bars in LA. Many cinematograhpers go there. Great atmosphere and also a good place to work. Though I don’t drink alchohol, there are still many great things on their menu I enjoy. So, definitely these two places are on my top list right now. Hope there will be another in the nearest of time I can recommend.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The person I want to dedicate my shoutout to is my sister, Anastasia. She is an artist in Toronto who has helped me a lot and she is truly a role model to me. Anastasia is 7 years older than I am and I truly understand, how much it cost her to achieve her dreams and goals. She went to Canada from Russia, dreaming of becoming an artist. She worked very hard, doing part-time jobs and in the evenings she drew paintings in her spare time. Currently, she is a famous artist in Toronto. I admire her and she really is an example of how hard-work and patience and a bit of luck can make you achieve literally anything.

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