Meet RB Vigneshwar | Indian filmmaker based in LA

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

Hi RB, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am from Madurai, a city known for it’s cultural impact in Tamil Nadu in India. When I was a kid, my father would take me to watch movies in theaters. I remember watching movies of Harry Potter, Spider Man, Jackie Chan etc., Even as a kid, I was always curious about how a particular scene was done even though I had no clue, but I would eventually figure out. I also come from an artistic family. Both my parents are musicians by passion. These two factors played a role in my creative ability of storytelling that would propel me to become a filmmaker. I participated in a lot of story writing competitions and plays, music festivals etc., anything where my creative juices would flow. I never gave up on my passion for storytelling. Eventually that led me to find my path and become a filmmaker.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started out as a Computer Engineer right after my undergrad, when the idea of filmmaking would continue to be only a passion or a side hobby. Back home (India), I used to think that a solid career must be built first before following my dreams or passion or anything else and I did pursue it the same way. In no time, I realized that the desire was only growing in me more. With that feeling as a compass, I focused on professionally equipping myself with technical skills related to filmmaking. By then, I had created short films with the idea of what I knew or observed growing up as what a story should look like. They weren’t going to be enough if I wish to pursue this as a career. I enrolled in filmmaking workshops, upgraded my skills, made more short films. This time I was noticed by an Assistant Director who worked for Rajkumar Hirani Films, a production company run by Bollywood filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani. I joined as a production intern and worked with them for three months. That experience gave me the first peek into the entertainment industry. I was able to understand the amount of work required to produce a work of art. With that, I once again went back to my feeling to check on myself whether the desire was still strong and whether I was ready to put in the work. It was still the same. I wanted to learn more and master the craft. I would eventually try my luck by applying to a few film schools in the US and got accepted in the prestigious USC School of Cinematic Arts. I took the leap and arrived in LA in early 2019 for my MFA in Film and TV Production. The three years of the program was a lot of learning and executing. I focused more on writing, directing, producing and VFX. I wrote and directed six short films and took them to festivals around the world, especially in Europe and North America. I also produced a USC funded 546 narrative short film ‘Get Kissed or Die Brian’ which was screened in First Looks film festival in 2020. I also interned at production companies such as Aggregate Entertainment, Mandalay Sports Media, and The Rogue Initiative in three different departments such as Development, Post-Production, and Visual Effects. The opportunity to learn from peers and colleagues was immense. I capitalized more on that even though there were many challenges during the years of Covid lockdowns with many productions being stopped. Currently I am working for a VFX firm in LA and helping produce an Epic Megagrant funded short film titled Lightfall and also assisting on an Amazon Prime Network’s TV show. My focus is to make stories that are slice-of-life which everyone around the world, especially people of color like me could relate to. That combined with the experience of Producing and working with a team has helped me keep going.

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?
It’s funny I have thought about this so many times as I am still waiting for my buddies from home to come to LA. I would take them first on a morning hike to Griffith, through the Ferndell drive. Followed by a breakfast in The Republique in WeHo. Maybe stop by on the way at Porto Bakery to pick up some pastries as well. I would also take them to Santa Monica Pier and Point Dume in Malibu Beach. It wouldn’t end without roaming the streets of Downtown LA.

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 really believe universe places the right people at the right time in one’s life to achieve their purpose. I wouldn’t be here without my family first of all. This goes to my Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Krithi. All of them have seen my interests and supported me in all the ways they could. Also my best friends Deepak and Jasmeet who have been with me through thick and thin and are a part of this journey. Also a big shoutout to my alma mater USC School of Cinematic Arts which has provided a platform and played a major role in my career.

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