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Rahul Suresh

Alt Text: Rahul Suresh on Artenzza Magazine cover – Filmmaker and creative director spotlight interview

Director & Cinematographer

About

Rahul Suresh is a cinematographer and creative director with a diverse international background. Born in Kerala, India, and raised in Bahrain, he later attended boarding school in Kodaikanal, India. His passion for visual storytelling led him to pursue a four-year film education, followed by seven years of experience in video production. Now based in Los Angeles, he has founded missedmyshot, a production company dedicated to creating compelling visual content for emerging artists, musicians, and fashion brands. His creative space is also actively producing short films, with Look at Me being the third project in just two years. Through his work, Rahul continues to push artistic boundaries in filmmaking and digital media.

"Bringing visions to life through film"

Alt Text: Rahul Suresh on Artenzza Magazine cover – Filmmaker and creative director spotlight interview

Interview

Can you tell us a little about your background and how you got into cinematography and direction?

I remember the video that sparked me into wanting to be a cinematographer. I shot a Behind the scenes video in Mumbai after my graduation in film producing, feeling lost but I found my love to be more hands on in the creative process. I have always wanted that, but only then did I realise how simple it was to do it. All I had to do was pick up the camera and record. Whatever that was, because every video has a message, or feeling that has to come across. I want to be the best to do just that for my audience. Being a director/creative director is part of a cinematographers job, but my passion for telling stories help me communicate with my actors in a natural way, which always to me has brought out a good performance.

What inspired you to create missedmyshot, and what was the vision behind starting your own production space?

I truly believe I bring an aesthetic to the world that has not been brought before, I record all my freelance video using a five hundred dollar camera, and I stick by it. There is a growing fanbase for this especially in the music video world. I wanted to create a brand that made people feel. To me it makes me feel like the people are part of my journey, because I resonate with every video I create on a personal level. Being able to have all of that media/memories collated into one space, that is what I wanted and that’s why I created it.

You’ve worked on several short films like Jobrelease, The Footprint, Hot Samantha, and D. What was it like to work on these projects, and how did they shape your approach as a filmmaker?

Its always a learning experience, and to me it is always about having fun and doing better. Every time I want to do better and be better and challenge myself to do something different. I never want to repeat anything. One thing these projects taught me is how capable I am under pressure and how I need to be seem-less than complicated, weather that is in the shot selection, movement and lighting. Simple is always better.

As a cinematographer, what do you believe is the most important element in creating a visually compelling film?

Understanding the feeling and emotions our character is going through, and understanding the way how the director wants to share the story.

Could you describe your creative process when working on a new project, from concept to execution?

It’s different every-time because sometimes things are more gorilla style, sometimes the productions are more planned. Sometimes I am the director, and sometimes I am the cinematographer.

In your work as both a creative director and cinematographer, how do you balance the visual aesthetics with the narrative of the story?

I love to be poetic with my lighting, I love to light the narrative and the changes are characters are going through, the viewers will never notice it. But the will feel the change in our character, that change I create through lighting. I like gritty and real lighting this has helped me tell a more raw story in most of my short budget movies.

You’re based in Los Angeles, which is a hub for filmmakers. How has the city influenced your work and creative style?

Being able to experience life here has given me ideas for many stories, which I am currently working towards creating. So much artistic influence in Los Angeles and being in the middle of it causes you to want to create and break boundaries. There are so may people here doing it well, so the competition is what motivates to do something different every time    

How do you approach working with other creatives, such as directors and editors, to bring a film to life?

I get to speak to them about themselves, their ideas, they’re believes and I really get to understand a lot of them as a person. As a cinematographer my trust with the director is what is needed for me. He has to trust me and should give me the freedom to share my opinion. In my pervious projects I have had the freedom to do so and this makes the collaboration very rewarding.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in the film industry, and how have you overcome them?

Networking, finding the right community for you to help you. You can meet many people in Los Angeles but it is hard to meet the people who can help you and especially believe in you. I am lucky to have met many people who believe in my skills as a story teller, but now I want grow and tell bigger stories and with that comes working and paying the right people. Going to festivals and sharing my story and work has been rewarding to me in that aspect so far.

What’s next for you and missedmyshot? Are there any upcoming projects or new directions you’re excited to explore?

Yes there are many projects missedmyshot is currently working towards from commercials for the clothing brand “sacredwater”, to music videos for artists such as “Yoshi san” and “Santana Ali”

As a cinematographer I am tied current to direct and shoot a Tv pilot called “Rios”, and currently we are also in production for the third short coming out of missedmyshot “Look at me”

He is also tied to be the cinematographer for his first feature film at the end of the year, currently in pre production.

Alt Text: Rahul Suresh on Artenzza Magazine cover – Filmmaker and creative director spotlight interview

Projects

Do you want to know more? You can find some projects below.

Spotify Playlist