The Oscar-winning Rayka Zehtabchi found her creative voice

"I was a very young person," explains Rayka. "I was just leaving my job as a PA and Uber driver. It was quite an out-of-body experience." However, as unlikely that the victory may have felt to Rayka at the time the event was not in any the least a quick-hit achievement. "It was an idea was in the works for a long time at the time. But I don't know that we had ever imagined it would become possible to take part in the Oscars discussion."

The production of the short was a long-won labour of love however, the fame and recognition associated with that kind of win came with a price. It arrive quickly and swiftly and left Rayka in need of a reset. "I left the Oscars with the feeling that I needed to take a step back, and I needed to actually pursue my creative voice as a filmmaker," she says.

Four years on, Rayka has reemerged as a prolific documentary filmmaker with an eye for storytelling and craft. We sat down with Rayka to find out more about the process she used to discover her voice and what keeps her creative fire lit.

 When did you know that you wanted to be film-maker?

Rayka The year I was 15, I think. I didn't know exactly what I wanted in the field of film. I thought making directing fun, producing sounds fun and production design is fun. I was able to dabble in other things when my time at school. One major thing that I experienced in my life that gave me the idea and confidence that I was able to be a filmmaker, was this mentorship program. the film course I took when I was in high school. It was called Film at Academy of the Arts.

I was really blessed to participate in this program as you begin learning about the art at a really young age, and all suddenly it doesn't feel like such an enormous mountain to climb. It's like you see yourself in that position. I was like, "I want to do this, but I don't want to be doing something else."

 You are a specialist in short documentary. What's the speciality of this technique?

Rayka The truth is that I enjoy the short film format due to the first thing is that it's a low barrier of entry. There's no need for a large budget or even anything to go out and make a short film. The stakes aren't that very high. The benefit for the artist is more flexibility in their creativity. The freedom to experiment with your voice, as well as not being so expensive. Go out and try different things.

I think every film that I've created is unique in that it is a new concept or idea. It's not necessarily with the subject matter, but in the craft explores something completely new. It's enjoyable and thrilling It's not something I've ever experienced before, but I'm sure that you always get an opportunity to play with that so readily with longer project forms.

 It is common for your work to be issue-driven However, you don't sacrifice form for story. What are you doing to balance these?

Rayka The reason I think my collaborators and I have a constant conversation about form. What can we do to push our craft to the limit in a way? Particularly with documentary, a lot of times things happen that cause it to get a bit repetitive, or you're moving toward the journalistic sensibilities. The craft, however, is sometimes it's secondary. I think with us it's like we're always thinking about how you can put the craft and the storytelling prior to the storytelling.

Because the project should feel real, technical, and technically solid. It should be a journey. your journey. They should be entertaining. They should be a visual feast. For the majority of us, filmmaking is the best way that it is possible to blend all the beauty of art, with humanity. So I feel like every project we do must contain both.

 How has your life as a creative person been like since the announcement of your Oscar award?

Rayka The answer is yes. I think it's been a challenge. It's fantastic. There have been some tough times. The journey has been full of the growth. It was an important step for me to take. There is a need to step back, and you have be able to block out all noise. You must say "This is my identity. What am I looking for? What is important for me?"

It was at this point that I realized that what was most important to me was that emotional connection to what it was that I was doing, no matter it might be. And so, the decision to take a step back let me look inside and reflect. It also allowed me to do the painful, challenging process to figure out what your voice is and who you would like to be, and what kinds of things you would like to invest your time into.

 What motivates you?

Rayka: Honestly, it's the stories. You must think for a long, arduous time through the tale before you decide that you're going to go out and make it. Since it requires a lot of effort, time as well as effort and emotional energy too. Personally, for me, even when I'm working that I am emotionally invested in the project and don't agree to a job unless I'm emotionally involved with this project in a manner.

You really have to be driven by the story that you're telling or the message you're putting out into the world and the dialogue you're sharing with the world. Do you think this is something you're able to shoulder for the time that you're making the film?

You received your first Staff Select following winning an Oscar How did you feel?

I remember just being so happy, even though we just came out of the Oscars this was something that just emerged from our heads. It was so fun and amusing and got a bit scrappy. It was around a couple hundred dollars. So getting a Staff Pick was a great thing because it was like, you know, got the recognition.

 What do you make use of in your day to day?

Rayka : I use almost every day, in some way. If it's because a good friend has sent me a movie, or a Staff Pick that's wonderful and I need to watch it to get some motivation. or because I'm uploading my videos, and using the review tools.

Or if I need to locate the right talent. I mean, I remember that I worked on a project at the time of the pandemic which was a huge challenge. I had to find an animator who did a really specific kind of animation. And I went to the Staff Picks rabbit hole in the animation category. I think I searched through 30 pages or so. And I found an amazing animator that we ended having hired for the project. I'd love to collaborate with again. It serves as a tool, a resource. It's always part of my diet.

 What's your advice for other filmmakers trying to figure out their voices?

Rayka Rayka believe it is easier to film than ever before been. Especially for people who are just starting out. We've got a myriad of options available to us, and you really just have begin making things and finding really what sticks and is important to you.

It's a long process. It's not something that happens overnight. It is essential to put in the time into the process and invest a lot of time researching what it is that you'd like to share with the world.