Meet Koka Singh Arora | Writer / Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Koka Singh Arora and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Koka Singh, why did you pursue a creative career?
It’s hard to answer this question because it wasn’t a decision I made later in life, as in, I didn’t leave a career to pursue an artistic one. I sort of always did what felt good or right, conscious and otherwise. (Yes, I was tough to raise and maybe had too much fun as a kid!) So, when I told my parents I wanted to be a filmmaker, their only advice was to be successful and make money.
It was only later in life when I was surrounded by people with traditional nine-to-fives asking me about my “career in the arts” that I realized I had done something that wasn’t conventional. Until then I just figured everyone on the planet watches TV or listens to music. Someones gotta be making those gears turn – what’s so unheard of? And why can’t it be me?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think everyone has an artistic gene. I just make a living with mine. I’m proud of the work I put out and, but I think I’m more proud of the work that goes into it. We’ve got a short film out now called “Bastard Toadflax.” It’s a really exciting project that’s garnered several awards and stands as a proof of concept for a feature film we hope to get into production this year. My brother and I Co-Directed that, our first collab. It took a full calendar year to create just that 12min film which includes a body transformation for the main character. There wasn’t enough in the budget to get an actor to commit to that, so I did it myself. That was a hard year, and a lot of fun. I get my kicks doing the work. Plus, I got to work with my brother so overall it was so much fun and turned out, I think, as one of my best.

A career in the arts isn’t always easy for everyone. My road had a lot of turns, never straight. I did my four years at The New School in NYC with a double major in Screenwriting and Film Production. Almost immediately after I was A.D. on an indie feature. There a learned A LOT, but the pay was nothing. So like everyone I picked up gigs wherever I could (this was when Facebook and Craigslist were all you had). I use to MC for a wedding DJ while in college. He connected me to a photographer looking for a videographer and before you know it I was running my own 6-figure wedding film company. Money was great and life was easy. These are the periods where a person realizes they made a lateral move towards money, which leads to the feeling that you gave up the dreams of your youth in order to cater to the responsibilities of adulthood. For me that feeling of security would always turn to angst with a looming sense of regret. So, I shut the whole operation down and started again.

It was tough at first. Fortunately I had my saving and strong support system – but no network in the industry, which is everything. It’s that double-edged sword, “you need to sell a script to get an agent, but an agent to sell your script!” So, I just took everything I ever created; short films, ads, music videos for friends, and began building an online presence. Then I called up everyone I knew that might need a commercial or video made and worked with anyone that would buy. Finally, I went to every festival I could get into and shook hands with everyone. You need to live your brand. Eat and breathe it, especially if you don’t have a screenwriter father or talent agent mother, which I didn’t. I come from a traditional South Asian home. If you know anything about that, then you’ll know, just by looking at me that I stuck out a sore thumb and it wasn’t always easy. Fun at times! But not necessarily easy.

That being said, if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that there’s more information in the palm of your hands today than at any other point in history. More available now and here than anywhere ever. Your only limit is your willingness to do the work. It’s okay if you don’t want to – maybe you don’t care to learn an instrument, get another degree, have a chiseled body, or cook like an award-winning chef (all things you can learn to do off your phone), but be honest with yourself about it. Better that than live with regret.

I try and make sure honesty and truth is in everything I do. I try and be unapologetically me. At least I try to. Whether I do something thought provoking, or create something just to make you laugh – it’s unapologetically honest. That’s the brand.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My home state is NY so if that’s the assignment: we’d wake up early and hit the gym followed by a big homemade breakfast. That’s how I start every morning and if I’m hosting, so are you. I love to cook. It’s meditative.

Afterwards, walk it off over in Long Beach then maybe a hike on the north shore. I’m bred on Long Island and a summer baby so you can expect surfing at Gilgo, a pickup game at Belmont, drinks in the Hamptons, maybe see who’s playing at The Paramount.

If we’re talking west coast you’d find me in Huntington beach either skateboarding around town or a pickup game on the courts, followed by smoothies or lunch in Santa Monica.

I love staying active and on my feet outside, and my buddies know if I’m hosting, you’d better bring your best athleisure wear.. Even just skateboard a couple hours around town followed by a sandwich is great by me. And of course, a movie at the theater or a playoff game at Yard House or Blue Dog to cap the night.

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?
For starters; my family. Beginning with my nuclear; they’ve always supported all my wild imaginations and never questioned if I’d be able to make it happen. From getting me my first HD camera to covering the rent, they made the journey a little easier on my heels. Then there’s my other family – friends and loved ones, both passed and present. Like anyone and everyone, there are times when I doubted myself. Thanks to them, those days are fewer than the average.
My brother Juggy. He is my partner in crime and copilot in the adventures this creative life takes us, and it’s been both inspiring and encouraging to watch him also grow as an artist.
My wife Roop, who fought to keep me against the opinions of some archaic-minded blockheads. Pakka, pakka!
My 8th grade English teacher Eric Shapiro. The first person to challenge me in the arts. He taught me to be unapologetically me. Don’t ever stop doing that.

Website: www,kokasingh.com

Instagram: @kokasingh

Other: www.imdb.com/name/nm4399027/
(imdb: Koka Singh Arora)

Image Credits
Dan Paek
Amandeep Nagpal
Katie Gehrmann