Kulkarni's dual expertise in writing and directing is the cornerstone of her success.
Vibha Kulkarni
In the ever-evolving world of cinema, few talents shine as brightly as Kulkarni. Her unique blend of writing prowess and directorial finesse has garnered attention from prestigious festivals worldwide. We sat down with Vibha to discuss her journey, creative process, and recent accolades.
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The Storyteller's Journey: A Conversation with Vibha Kulkarni
Interviewer: Your film "Chasing Red Flags" recently received the Award of Recognition for Creativity and Originality at the Best Shorts Competition. As both the writer and director, how did you approach this project?
Kulkarni: Writing and directing "Chasing Red Flags" was a deeply personal journey.As a writer, I brought out my personal story in a way that it relates to millions of women in today’s dating culture. The vision for this was very clear which I tried to accomplish single-handedly on a tight schedule and budget. I wanted to blend reality with fantasy without having to depend on post-production. So the entire fantasy sequence was story boarded and filmed live. The recognition from Best Shorts Competition, an IMDb Qualified festival, was incredibly validating.
Interviewer: "Aro's World" has been making waves in the festival circuit, including winning at the Chicago Horror Film Festival. How do you balance your writing and directing roles when working in different genres?
Kulkarni: Genre-hopping as both a writer and director is exhilarating. With "Aro's World," I embraced the challenge of crafting a psychological horror narrative that was both thrilling and meaningful from a child’s mind. Directing it helped me add layers to the story on paper. Working with my child actor, who I discovered, helped me enhance the child’s perspective the film intended to showcase. The film's success across various festivals, from AFI FEST to LA Shorts, shows that this approach resonates with diverse audiences.
Interviewer: Your film "Letters from the Past" earned a Best Actress award at the Filmfare India International Film Festival. How does your writing process influence your direction of actors?
Kulkarni: My writing process is very character-driven, which directly informs how I work with actors. When I wrote "Letters from the Past," I had a clear vision of each character's emotional journey. As a director, I used this intimate knowledge to guide Lata Khubchandani's performance. Seeing her win Best Actress was a beautiful validation of this synergy between writing and directing. I trust my intuition with casting, both my actors Lata Khubchandani and Kaya Johnson, were discovered by me when I saw an aspect of the character in them that perfectly fit my vision.
Interviewer: Your 2016 short film "The Lost Son" was recently selected for the Pune Short Film Festival. How has your approach to writing and directing evolved since then?
Kulkarni: "The Lost Son" was a pivotal project for me. Since then, I've honed my skills in both writing and directing. I have a very clear vision right from when I start writing: the world, the characters and their wants and needs. As a director, I try to emphasize making it more visual. The film's selection for the Pune Short Film Festival, even years later, shows that authentic storytelling has a lasting impact.
Interviewer: With successes across various genres and formats, from horror to drama, shorts to features, how do you choose your projects?
Kulkarni: I'm drawn to stories that challenge me as both a writer and director. Whether it's the horror elements in "Aro's World" or the emotional depth of "Letters from the Past," I look for narratives that allow me to push my creative boundaries. The diversity in my portfolio reflects my belief that a good story can transcend genre constraints.
Interviewer: What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers who want to excel in both writing and directing?
Kulkarni: I'd say embrace both roles wholeheartedly. Writing gives you a deep understanding of story structure and character development, which is invaluable when you're in the director's chair. Conversely, directing experience can make you a more visual and cinematic screenwriter. As we know, writing for the screen is far different from writing a novel!
As our conversation concludes, it's clear that Kulkarni's dual expertise in writing and directing is the cornerstone of her success. Her ability to craft compelling narratives and then bring them to life on screen has set her apart in the competitive world of filmmaking. With a string of accolades from prestigious festivals and a diverse portfolio spanning multiple genres, Vibha Kulkarni is undoubtedly a filmmaker making her mark in the industry.
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