Meet Vasilisa Belokon | Filmmaker, director

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

Hi Vasilisa, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
First of all I hope that there is no end to my career, because I truly enjoy being a filmmaker and a director. What I can say is that the place I am headed towards is being able to direct full-time across a variety of mediums: commercials, music videos and narrative projects. My aspiration is to embrace the versatility of storytelling, exploring various styles and genres without confining myself to a singular identity. What gives me excitement about directing is that each medium and genre has its own challenges, and requires different set of tools.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a film director currently working in Los Angeles, California. What distinguishes my work is my aversion to creating anything generic. Whichever project I have at hand, I always strive to elevate the idea by adding a twist on an already known style, or adding a creative element that the viewer would least expect. I rather have my work be over the top or strange rather than boring.

To date, I’ve directed just over a dozen music videos, some of which have earned recognition at small film festivals, along with several short films and commercials. Initially, I secured opportunities to direct music videos by actively reaching out to emerging artists through platforms like Instagram and even dating apps. I also made it known to everyone around me that I was eager to direct music videos. Eventually, my efforts paid off, leading to referrals from friends and acquaintances.

My advice to anyone aspiring in this industry is to assertively communicate their creative aspirations and put themselves out there, as much of the work in the entertainment industry comes through referrals.

Through my freelance experiences, I’ve learned the importance of knowing my worth. Too often, creative professionals are undervalued and overworked under the guise of the privilege of creating art. I urge newcomers in creative freelancing to set boundaries on the amount of unpaid labor they’re willing to undertake to build their portfolio. By positioning oneself with value, one is more likely to be treated accordingly.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Brooklyn Bagels have the best bagels in town, and Los Feliz movie theatre is the place to go!

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?
Andrew Nibbi, Chris Sinnemann

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vasilisa-belokon-b58b711b1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsmevasiii/