Meet Shua Buhangin | Filmmaker & Photographer

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

Hi Shua, how do you think about risk?
I feel taking risks is a necessity for any kind of success. I grew up being taught to play it safe when it came to what I wanted to do in life, but to be honest, I was never one to play by the rules; I challenged them! In 2017, I taught myself, through YouTube, how to work a camera properly and edit youtube vlogs. In 2018, I started booking weddings, my first professional gigs! In 2019, I had the opportunity to leave my day job working for my dad and become a content creator for a non-profit in Chicago. Now, I’m doing amazing work for a Youtuber, along side other Youtubers and creatives, making art come to life. I honestly wouldn’t have gotten here if I didn’t put myself out there, even when I lacked confidence. Taking risks has led me to greater and greater things!

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.
I am a Filmmaker/Photographer based in downtown Chicago. My dad always had a camera around me and my sister growing up. As a kid I quickly fell in love with movies, like Spider-Man, The Truman Show, Star Wars, etc.. So much so I would use legos to rebuild scenes from the movies and film them on my dad’s tape camcorder.

6 years ago, I was working as a Janitor. At that time I never thought I could actually make being a full-time creative a reality. I wasn’t given a ton of support by my community. The small town mentality is all about playing it safe. It took a ton of courage to just try and put myself out there. One of the biggest lessons I learned is that being a creative means you will have to take risks others wouldn’t.

A more recent challenge I overcame was finally moving out of my small town. Leaving Indiana for Chicago was a huge move, and a costly one; but one I don’t regret! I feel solid in this city, and I’m creating art with other creatives on a weekly basis. Most of the time, I’m still amazed to be doing this, making videos for a living!

I’m really proud of the growth I’ve had over the past 5 years, starting from wedding films to working on a full fledge documentary! I’m super excited what the next 5 years will be like, the talented people I’ll meet especially those I’ve looked up to, and being able to inspire others as movies have inspired me.

I, being an awkward, introverted, dork, am trying to build a path that others can learn from and hopefully be inspired by. I want people to know how passionate I am about not only creating movies but helping others in their creative endeavors. I love seeing others reach their potential and being their hype man!

I want everyone to know that it doesn’t matter where you came from, what you look like, etc… the only thing that stands in the way of making it as a creative is your willingness to do it, stick with it, and find a community that will have your back. You’ll be able to create anything you put your mind to.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Here in Chicago the best I would take my friends the the Starbucks Reserve the BIGGEST Starbucks in the world! Then head to chinatown for some ramen and Korean ice cream. There is so many food spots all over the city, too hard to pick just one!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I honestly credit my wife Christina Wells to my growth in my career. She was and is my biggest push to really give opportunities a try, especially when I doubted myself. Even now I always turn to her with both great things to share and negative emotions and thoughts, helping assist me emotionally and creatively. Her being a writer, a fellow creative, I am able to bounce ideas off her and reach my fullest potential. I hope I have been and can continue to do the same for her in her journey!

Website: shuafilms.com

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

Twitter: @Shua_Films_

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu7dc6YLjoiFA_We7AjyN7A