Meet Nidhi Jarmanwala | Production Designer

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

Hi Nidhi, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?

“If you have passion for something just go for it even if the journey seems difficult, sooner or later you will figure it out. But don’t let the flame inside you fade away.”

I believe in always working hard and letting your work decide the results. Always try to give your 100 percent and don’t expect something in return. Right people will always notice you. And when times are tough, try and avoid negative self-talk. The main habit to never stop learning and following my goals has always kept me going. Plus a touch of punctuality, hard work, and believing in yourself. I never let people talk me out of the things that they think I cannot do. But I have proved them wrong by showing my capabilities. I believe in this motto: “Never let someone else decide your story of life”.

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.

“Cinema is a place where stories are spoken and enjoyed by people whenever they want to distract their mind. It is like a mirror of humanity’s struggles”. The film world can take you in without you even realizing it. The same thing happened to me. Just like how one gets curious about the story similarly I got intrigued about the film world. Especially what happens behind those curtains and how?

That curiosity brought me into my first journey of hardship which was to make my name in a field where no one knows me plus in a whole new country. So I buckled up my shoe and started to work hard and established myself as a Production Designer.

Coming from a land where actors are worshiped and films are known by their songs, where films are produced in bulk and the word Bollywood is enough to describe my birthplace other than India. Designing sets as per the vision of the director always excites and challenges me. Even for a simple script the research and work that goes into it require lots of creative inputs and new ideas. Being born in a country where colors and diversities are easily found and talked about in the world helped me to easily connect and understand new cultures here.

“Ideas and Perspective” led me to unique imaginations. I like to set dress in a way that the character of the story feels connected to the environment in which he/she will be spending 90 percent of their time. I like to give the set a character of itself be it by adding a small prop on the window or a large wallpaper but it also needs to add to the story. My main mission is to give the director the vision which he/she has imagined and I give my input in it when I think it will add up to the story. I like to discuss the project thoroughly and it includes everything from characters to color palette to props to the overall world of the story.

I have heard people saying “A woman cannot do anything by herself” so, I never asked for help. Having been a woman and people thinking that I can’t do a task, no matter how small, sparked in me a fire to prove that I was capable and independent. As I went through my career, the fire grew stronger and I continued to prove myself.

Later I got chances to work on different projects with new and cool people. It was a whole new experience because the circumstances of the film industry changed. But still, the passion to be on set and work never left me. Even with hard times, I was able to cope with the work which was assigned and gained experience to work creatively during such circumstances. Soon I had a team working with me. I had total freedom to experiment, and they were much fun. I gradually became certain about the type of stories I wanted to work on and became eager to get to know more filmmakers with designer perspectives here in LA. I spent a considerable amount of time researching projects and their set designs, reading books, and understanding the themes for films all of which have helped me become a more well-rounded Production designer.

I know there will be many challenges along the way, but I’m grateful for a career that always challenges me to think out of the box and always lets me explore a new and different side of the world through stories.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

My favorite thing to do in LA other than hikes is to go around the city at night and take long walks around the area where I live as I have a street with happening places. Like cafe, restaurant, bar, pedicure, and it keeps going. I’m an adventurous person. I like to try new things because I believe by trying different things I’m discovering myself a little more each day. Plus, meeting new people and learning about them always excites me and the best place to do so is in gatherings be it a nightclub or a shoot wrap party. But if I have to take someone with me I would definitely take them to the Walk of Fame and Hollywood sign during the evening as it adds a different charm to these 2 locations. During mornings hike is always a good option to go rather than going to the gym. Because you are doing 2 things: first physical exercise and second pleasing your eyes with an amazing view.

Porto’s bakery is the best place to have brunch after the long tiring hike. Their coffee and drinks are soothing plus the food is filling too. If you are coming to LA then you cannot go without going to these amazing studios like Universal Studios, Warner Bros., and Walt Disney. After all, you are in “Hollywood” a place where films culture is highly appreciated.

I definitely want them to try the local stores in LA. I would like them to visit places a little outside LA too. When it comes to beaches I will let them decide but I’ll definitely take them to Santa Barbara by taking a little detour at Solvang. About staying close to nature there is nothing better than Yosemite.

I’ll try my best to make them dwell in the culture and places of LA. I will tell them to just go with the flow and enjoy the vibe without thinking too much. After all, you are in a City of Angels.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Success can be defined in a lot of ways be it short-term, long term or small goals. To me, success is defined by the small steps I take to achieve something meaningful in life. I think no matter how much experience you gain in life you shouldn’t stop learning. I believe my curiosity to grasp more knowledge in the film world brought me to Los Angeles. The journey to follow my passion and dreams was not easy as my family was against the idea of working in the entertainment industry. But as they say, giving up on your passion means you are welcoming a life that you will never appreciate and be happy about. I can never imagine my life being that way. So I decided that either it was my way or no way. I can’t give up on my dreams just because I’m scared to face my family. Why should I let people decide and write the story of my life? I had to convince them that the entertainment industry is not a bad career option and even though I don’t have a film background I will still work hard and make my mark in it.

After gathering enough courage and strength I went up to my family. I made them sit in a living room and I stood in front of them as if I’m about to give a long speech. Of course, I was pretending to be strong but my heart was racing. The stare from my family was not helping me and I was sweating in an air conditioning room. I looked at my father’s face for a few seconds and yelled: I want to make my career in the film industry. I want to work behind the camera if you will not support me I’m still going to do it with my own capabilities. There was silence in the room. My dad didn’t say anything and left the room. Other members just looked at me, smiled, and left the room. My heart broke after seeing the look on my dad’s face. You know “that guilty feeling” when you know you did nothing wrong but your heart still blames you for it.

Later, I went up to my father with a heavy heart and face down. He stood in front of me, smiled, and said, “I loved the confidence you have in yourself and the fire to prove that you can achieve what you aim for. Don’t ever let that flame die because it will keep you going and will keep reminding you that you still have to learn a lot to achieve. Tables do turn around I realized it that day. I hugged my father and promised him that I won’t give up easily as long as he have my back.

My journey started in the entertainment industry. I started working on feature films, advertising, short films, musicals, etc as a Production Designer. A few short films that went to film festivals went through many hardships from making needs met to achieving success. It opened a gate of more opportunities for me.

The journey until now was hard because I had no contacts in the industry plus for a few months I was getting fewer projects then the support of my family also started drifting. But then during these times, it’s you who needs to be strong and bring the flame for your passion back. That way you are able to make yourself happy and gain back the things that you have lost. Today, after seeing me do well in my field my parents feel proud of me and they are supporting me to do better. I like how I have become the writer of my own life.

Even if the struggle is real, one will be able to achieve the goals if he or she sets his or her mind to it. I still have a lot to learn and don’t want to stop learning. Because the flame to achieve my goals is still burning inside me. And there are many people in the industry who still needs to know me and I need to know them.

x

Website: nidhijarmanwala31.wixsite.com/onboard

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nidhi-jarmanwala/

Image Credits
Abhilasha FNU