After making an entire feature film called “Avoid Confrontation” when he was only 16, Adam Bogoch found he loved the art, passion and creativity that went into the creation of it. Recognizing filmmaking was his calling at such a young age, Adam has even started his own production company ‘Redhaired Productions Ltd.’ where he helps others produce quality works in today’s YEDaily…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I’m a writer/director of independent short and feature films. By the age of 16 years old I had already completed my first feature film “Avoid Confrontation” which won three international film festival awards. By the age of 18, I completed “Complexity”, my second feature. Recently I have just finalized my first short film, which I only directed, and am on my next feature and short at the same time. I have my own production company called Redhaired Productions Ltd. that was established in 2010.
As a director it is my job to lead the cast and crew from the start to a successful finish line. I literally have a hand in every aspect of the filmmaking process and it’s up to me to make the creative decisions, even in difficult circumstances, to not only appease the needs of the funders and producers, but also to create something watchable at the end of the day. It’s fun and incredibly difficult at the same time.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
Not unlike every other filmmaker out there, I started to make movies because I loved to watch them. I remember seeing Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy for the first time and saying, “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life, create art”. Those films did not inspire me to make movies because of how grand they were; they inspired me because underneath all its extravagant adventure you could easily see the love that was put into it by the cast and crew. You could see it was about creating art, about making people feel something. I think that making movies is really about creating a human experience, whatever that may be. Though I don’t imagine myself making the type of films Peter Jackson makes, I certainly want to fill them with his level of love.
All of this is good and well, but without the proper support it’s more difficult to go anywhere. I have a very supportive father, who pushed me to continue to do what I love. And luckily, with his help I was able to attract higher profile filmmakers, like the producer of “Complexity”, Mattie Shisko or director of photography, Paul Mitchnick. And from there I was able to meet more and more people. I continued to grow, as I am now. Having great support from family, friends, and your colleagues is its own inspiration to continue. They are really a huge reason why we created Redhaired Productions Ltd. and why I continue to make films.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
I love being creative, and love the stupid confidence that comes with it. Films are what interest me the most, and creating them is nothing short of amazing. I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked and be working with some really great people, not only ones I’ve made close friendships with, but people I know are way more experienced than myself. It’s an honour to work and learn with/from them!
The most challenging part is continuing to prove myself. The fact that I’m so young and doing such crazy things is both a pro and a con; in my mind I have certain expectations to live up to. I know I have to continue to stand out, even when I’m in a situation where I don’t want to. It’s also easy to be scared off by the countless negative aspects of working in the film industry, whether it’s the competition, the egos, or the lack of work. It’s also just a high pressure and stressful industry, especially when you’re on set and trying to stay under a budget.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I hope in five years that things continue to progress at the rate that they are right now, if not more. I can’t see myself doing anything else, as cliché as that sounds. I just want to continue to make my mark, whatever that will turn out to be, and do what I love to do. I want the opportunity to work with more people I’d love to work with, and collaborate with them. The more business opportunities I can get over the next five years the better, and then we’ll see.
What does success look like to you?
For me, it’s continuing to do what I love. I love to work. I love to create. Being a writer/director we literally get to create life. It’s exhilarating. To being doing what you love is its own level of success. But to also begin to get the taste of appreciation adds to it. We all need both the feeling of internal success and the feeling of external success. The only difference between the two is that external success can be dangerous and we must limit ourselves with its intake. But I do strive to stand out, and I do want to be taken seriously. It’s all part of my idea of success for me.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
It’s very difficult to pick one moment above others. Each moment offers a new set of challenges and successes. But I’d have to say that the whole experience of my second feature “Complexity” was an incredible milestone. It was leaps and bounds bigger than my first film in every respect. It was my schooling. I was mentored by every single person on and off set whether they new it or not. It was about learning and absorbing everyone’s personal wisdom. It was also shot over a beautiful Vancouver summer, with stunning locations and stunning women so how could one complain too much. “Complexity” also presented many challenges for me, not only on the film but off it as well. It was a great taste of things to come. The experience of it all, good and bad, is really what’s put me on the course that I’m now on as a filmmaker.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
What advice can I give, just my own, which is obviously 100% subjective. At the risk of sounding preachy, I think there’s no point in sitting around with a dream unless you do something about it. Go for it and always continue to learn, watch, read, listen, and observe. You can never stop growing. Life changes, we must adapt to it, and hopefully stand out.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I am a strong supporter of animal shelters such as the BCSPCA. I’ve grown up in animal loving households, so they’ve always been a major part of my life, especially dogs. There is no doubt in my mind that animals are members of the family, just little hairy ones. Many people, including myself, can build really strong relationships with their pets that are different from human relationships. Dogs are called “man’s best friend” for a reason. These are relationships to be valued. The fact that there are animals out there with no place to go, or abused and neglected, absolutely disgusts me. How human beings can be heartless to one another is one thing, but how human beings can be heartless to something that doesn’t know any better is another matter entirely.
I also support an organization called PAL Canada. Though it’s not really a charity, PAL (The Performing Arts Lodge) is a place where senior artists live. It is a place of community and importance to the local film, theatre, music and fine art industries. Not many people know about it, and they should, it is very much a big part of the arts world. And it’s a place that needs the social and financial support that it takes to run any centre of this kind.
What is Notable to you?
What’s Notable to me are the people that go out and fight for what they want, no matter what the circumstances. I think it’s so important to have drive. We all need a passion, we all need a love. It kind of makes me sick when people say they want something and then don’t go out and fight for it, or except it to come to them. We have to make things happen in all aspects of our lives, not expect them. I may be stubborn and overly persistent, but that’s what’s letting me do what I’m doing… and frankly keeps me going. It’s my fuel.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
Blackberry.