Meet Sayali Upadhye | Producer & Entrepreneur

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

Hi Sayali, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
As an independent producer, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact that effective producing can have on a production’s success, the cast and crew’s safety and well-being, and the overall quality of the final film. Over the past three years, I’ve accumulated a roster of talented professionals across various production roles. Among them are my esteemed colleagues Bobbie Green and Trey Sutton, who share my vision for inclusive and innovative filmmaking. Together, we’ve founded Ten Twenty Productions, pooling our diverse strengths, resources, and connections to create a supportive and dynamic creative space.

At Ten Twenty Productions, we believe that the dynamics of decision-making and the necessity of representation across all facets of the filmmaking process play a huge role in portraying authentic stories on screen that resonate with a large audience. And, as a woman of color from a different cultural background, I, personally resonate deeply with underrepresented communities in the film industry. Being a South Asian filmmaker, I’ve keenly observed a lack of authentic representation in Hollywood. While recent years have seen a promising increase in South Asian narratives, stereotypical depictions persist. And the South Asian diaspora presents a wealth of untapped storytelling potential, waiting to be explored and celebrated.

At Ten Twenty, we espouse an unconventional producing philosophy rooted in creativity, collaboration, and inclusivity. Our unified goal is cultivating a safe, creative, and enjoyable environment for fellow creatives with unique voices to thrive.

As I continue my journey in the film industry, I remain steadfast in my commitment to championing representation, fostering collaboration, and pushing the boundaries of storytelling. Through initiatives like Ten Twenty Productions, I aim to contribute to a more diverse, equitable, and vibrant landscape for filmmakers of all backgrounds.

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.
Although I am a creative producer, I feel like a ‘Jack of all trades.’ I have an inherent curiosity and love for trying new things. And I’m not afraid to make mistakes and learn from them. I recently produced a film called A Karaoke Space Odyssey – and it’s as eccentric as its name. It’s a sci-fi musical comedy that has a theme of loneliness, finding a connection, and overcoming struggles as an immigrant. It’s a multimedia film with some animation sequences in it. We knew this film would not be everyone’s cup of tea but we stayed true to our vision. Recently, when we screened it at the LA Shorts International Film Festival, a young lady approached us and told us how much she related to the main character and thanked us for making the film. I think about that moment every time I doubt myself as a creative.

I am not the most confident person when it comes to sharing my work. As an artist, I am prone to think that I am not very good at my art and that nobody will like my work. The imposter syndrome is very much real and I fight it constantly, Sometimes, just talking to a friend and thinking out loud or brainstorming ideas helps a lot. Other times, it’s looking back at my work and remembering the fond moments of affirmations I have received. It’s been a journey of learning to express myself and discovering an unapologetic voice as a filmmaker.

We all know that filmmaking is a collaborative process. There is no other art form where a hundred-something people come together to execute one creative vision. There’s something so beautiful and poetic about it. I believe that we are able to achieve the best outcome only when we give creative freedom to every person working on the film. Hence, I firmly believe that the concept of “auteurs” imposes limitations on the filmmaking process. In my role as a producer, I seek out collaborators who share this ethos of collaborative camaraderie. Together, we can endeavor to craft cinematic experiences that not only entertain but also embody the joy and unity inherent in the creative process. Through Ten Twenty Productions, I aspire to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive environment. Here, every participant is valued for their unique contributions, fostering a sense of fulfillment without encroaching upon the creative space of others.

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.
This is my favorite question – I love showing my friends around!! I always aim to give the quintessential LA experience as I think it is a unique city with a potluck of culture.

First and foremost, I’m taking them to my favorite spot in the city – Griffith Observatory. You can see the entire city of LA from above and it’s fun to find my house from there. We can pack sandwiches and have a little picnic. And we can’t miss the planetarium show – Signs of Life. The evening will be spent walking in Hollywood and catching a movie at the iconic Chinese Theater.

I know any friend of mine is going to like hiking so a day at the Malibu State Park is a must. And we get bonus points for driving on the PCH to get that amazing view of the ocean. There are many hikes to choose from plus a hidden waterfall and a small lake to hang out at. If it’s the first two weeks of May, they’ll be lucky to see all the spring bloom all over the mountains. We end the day at Point Dume Beach and witness a beautiful sunset!! The next day, we have a relaxing beach day at Dockweilers Beach. They have built-in firepits to make bonfires and it’s close to an airport so you can lay down on your blankets and watch the planes fly over you.

One day would be spent Downtown exploring the Last Book Store and the variety of food stalls at the Grand Central Market. You get amazing tacos at the shop right at the entrance. The Angel Flight stairs are also right across so that’s a cute quick spot we can cover.

I love Silverlake and the Los Feliz area, so next we’ll be hitting all the cool flea markets and thrifting while cafe hopping. Intelligentsia Cafe, Sightglass Coffee, and Neighborhood Coffee are some of my favorites. Additionally, getting ice cream from Salt n Straw and strolling around the Larchmont village. LA has amazing Korean food so I’ll take them to BCD Tofu House or Road to Seoul for Korean BBQ followed by visiting Larchmont. We’ll be ending the day with bar crawling in Hollywood – especially the speakeasies like Bathtub Gin, Good Times at Dawey Waynes, and Breakroom 86.

I could go on for hours! As I said, I love showing people around – and if time and energy permits, I’ll try to cover the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, LACMA, and the Getty Museum or the Eames House in Malibu cause I have been dying to visit there.

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?
Oh my god! Where do I even begin? This whole section is going to sound like an Oscar speech.

I was fortunate to grow up in an Indian household that valued creativity, arts, and sports. And, I was exposed to literature, plays, and films from an early age that shaped my identity. In fact, my love for storytelling goes all the way to my grandma, whose tales from Indian mythologies like the Mahabharata and Ramayana painted vivid pictures in my mind. These stories not only fueled my fascination with the human psyche and intricate characters but also ignited a lifelong passion for world-building.

I also had the best of both worlds growing up. My dad went to art school and I definitely inherited his artistic and entrepreneurial abilities. He introduced me to animation, arts, design, and photography. I still use his film camera that he taught me photography on as a teenager. Summers were spent in art classes and theater camps, courtesy of his stint in the theatre world. I think I have absorbed so much artistic knowledge from him all my life. My mom, on the other hand, is an International Badminton umpire. Being, academic-focused she banned television in the house for the first 16 years of my life. It forced me to pick up books and play sports – both hobbies that I cherish as an adult. Although, I didn’t pursue a sports career, seeing my mom build a career in a predominantly male-oriented industry was inspirational. She broke social norms and fought against gender roles, becoming a role model for me. Sports also helped me build ambition, perseverance, and a self-drive to constantly improve myself.

Since a conventional career was never on the table for me, I went to design school for my undergrad. My time at the school was transformative – it taught me design thinking and creative problem solving which are two of my greatest strengths as a filmmaker. As I majored in industrial design, I was introduced to different visual arts. I was mostly inspired by Charles and Ray Eames who dabbled in films and architecture. Design school also opened the doors to global cinema for me. I was part of the film club, 24fps, where we screened different movies every week. I watched movies like Cinema Paradiso, 12 Angry Men, Cleo from 5 to 7, and The Shining which basically changed my molecular structure. And, documenting my design processes kept my filmmaking dreams alive.

Going to a college that celebrated my creativity was the best thing that happened to me as it boosted my confidence and imagination, encouraging me to dream big. But it wasn’t until my dad nudged me—reminding me of my love for filmmaking – that I found the courage to take to leave my corporate job and pursue my passion. I guess, that was what I needed to hear cause I left my job shortly after that, preparing to take a big leap of faith and move to LA.

Looking back, I was a patchwork of identities – a bookworm, a jock, an artsy dreamer, and a theater kid. I was that kid who never quite fit into a box – a walking contradiction with a heart full of passion. I owe it all to my incredible support system of family and friends, whose unwavering belief in me has been the wind beneath my wings, propelling me forward, no matter how tough the journey.

Instagram: @hi_im_saay

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sayali-1/

Image Credits
Josie Andrews, Rielle Oase