Haya Waseem directs ‘Akbar’ for Verizon.

Shot on 35mm in Newark, USA.

Words from Haya below.


I’m interested in the order this project came together.

HW: It came together quickly! We had maybe four days to prep for the job. I was lucky to have a couple of calls with Akbar before we went to film him, but the rest was thanks to the brilliance and commitment of the whole production team.

How would you describe the shooting style, how do you approach scenes in general?

HW: I think mathematically first, what is the range of images and scenes I need to support the number of story beats I am interested in assembling. The pre-interview helps establish the beats. Then the scouts establish fitting environments and possible scenes.

The pre-interview helps establish the beats. Then the scouts establish fitting environments and possible scenes.

'Akbar' Verizon

‘Akbar’ Verizon

From there it’s a photographic approach on set; setting up one scene after the other and capturing it in a select few images. All the while, the interview or a piece of music is in the back of my mind.

‘Akbar’ Verizon 1

 

Have you shot on 35mm before?

HW: Yeah, most of my work is shot on film. I started off shooting on film so it’s been deeply influential on my process. The precision it requires, the attention it pulls out, in front and behind the camera, makes all the difference in my opinion.

What are you reading at the moment?

HW: ’33 Strategies of War’ by Robert Greene, and ‘Clarity and Connection’ by Yung Pueblo.

Director
Miranda Kahn
Producer
Director of Photography
Kate Antognini
Casting
Colourist
Brian Bernard
Sound Design
Epoch, Mirmade
Production Company

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