Meet Vedant Chavan | Film maker and Cinematographer

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

Hi Vedant, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
I have a very simple answer for this. “Making films makes me happy”. The whole process of it from pre production to release fills me up with passion and excitement which gives me a purpose for my life. Fulfilling my purpose of telling stories makes me happy.
It makes me happy realizing that I am bringing a change whether it is by transporting the audience into a different dimension or it is by making them aware about something important.

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 cinematographer. Although I always introduce myself as a filmmaker or storyteller because that is what defines me better. I practice filmmaking and storytelling through exploring cameras and lighting.

My work speaks volumes. Also, the directors I have worked with would vouch for what it is to work with me. I give my all to every narrative I shoot. The script is my bible. I take a deep dive into the director’s head by asking as many questions and spending as much time possible looking for references and discussing because the story is crucial for me.

I feel what sets me apart is not only how beautiful my photography is but also that each shots bind so well together throughout the course of the film that it is more of an wholesome storytelling experience for the audience than just a compilation of beautiful shots.

I am always excited about every project I am a part of. Being on a set was never a dream for me but being on a set always feels like a dream. It feels like I am lying in the comfort of my bed, my blanket and dreaming about this beautiful experience of working on a film set everyday. Well, I am very excited about a recent short film project I DP’d called, “Voler”. I just watched the final cut and it has come to be a really beautiful experience.

My journey practicing my craft has just begun and everyday I keep realizing what a long way I have to go. I have come thus far only by being aware all the time and learning from my mistakes. Mistakes are bound to happen and only when you learn from them are you actually making something out of those experiences.

It surely wasn’t easy to get to where I am today and I am very sure it doesn’t get easier ever. Challenges are a part of your learning and they only make your experience better and in fact speed up your learning arc. I have always found it a challenge to strike the right balance between the choices you make for money and your craft. There never is a curved out path for you. You start your journey and you keep carving your course as you go. That is exactly what I have been doing and sometimes it does get tough.

I moved from Mumbai to LA about more than a year ago and it has been a great learning. I haven’t stayed away from my family ever and suddenly I moved so far away to pursue my dreams on my own. Well, I won’t go over the struggles of an international student, I am sure everyone knows it already. What comes with staying away from home is responsibility and if you make the right choices, you also learn to fulfill those responsibilities. It is a learning for life.

I can very proudly say that I have devoted my 6 successful years to honing my craft and I have made a promise to myself to devote the rest of my life to it. I would be honored for you to be a part of my journey and give me the opportunity to associate with you. I love to meet people and simply talk life. Consider hitting me up and I look forward to holding meaningful conversations with you reading this.

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.
Well, I myself haven’t explored LA as much but I do have a list of my own that I love to go to.

Given my love for art, my favorite place is the Getty Center. I have been there a couple of times and I can’t stop looking at the beautiful stories you get to unravel from the paintings there.

Next is of course, my very favorite, the Academy Museum. I love catching an old film there once in a while.

I love going to Porto’s once in a while for a good, cheap yet heavy breakfast. In spite of being a vegetarian, I love that place for their sandwiches and cakes.

During night, I love driving to the Mulholland drive. Just being high up in the mountains, looking down at the city is the best thing to do.

I have also driven to Santa Monica Pier late at night and there was literally no one there. It was a lovely time to just sit and take in all the sound of waves. I also would recommend Santa Monica Pier for a good beach day. Venice beach is a great option too.

Being an Indian, I would also not miss to take my friend to Artesia for a nice Indian meal. ;p

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my family. Honestly, my inspiration to storytelling was not from far but my own surroundings that I grew up in.

All the situations I was put in throughout my childhood and everything my family taught me throughout has led me to be the kind of person I am and I don’t feel I would be better off anywhere else other than a film set. I thank all my family, specially my mom to have given me my purpose and all the amazing qualities to shape me into what I am today.

Website: www.vedantchavanfilms.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/dopvedant

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vedantchavanfilms