Falguni Thakkar: Emerging Director of Photography (DP) and Colorist Inspired by Slice-of-Life Story Telling

Falguni Thakkar is an emerging Los Angeles based Director of Photography (DP) and Colorist. She is a member of the prestigious Film Independent Society, Independent Filmmaker Project, International Documentary Association, New Filmmakers LA, Filmmakers Alliance and Colorist Society International.

As a filmmaker, Falguni Thakkar feels inclined and passionate towards making films that are based on agents that affect the normal fabric of human society.

She successfully and artistically applied her inclinations and talent to her award winning short film You Use, You Lose, for which she was the writer – director-producer, director of photography and colorist.

Her film went on to win the Award of Recognition - Women Filmmakers from the Accolade Global Film Competition and the Best Shorts Competition. Her film has also been a Competition Finalist at the Filmmatic Filmmaker Awards for the Short Thriller / Horror Category, and has been an Official Selection for the 5th Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival, Pembroke Taparelli Arts and Film Festival, Oasis Short Film Screening Series, and Diamond in the Rough Cut. It screened at Oasis Short Film Screening Series, Pembroke Taparelli Arts and Film Festival, and 5th Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival.

“Wearing multiple hats, gave me an intricate understanding of how visual media appeals to the human experience and I enjoy living my life catering to that primal desire. The experience of producing the film, added to the positive feedback and has made this project the single most important thing I have ever done so far.

You Use, You Lose is a story based on drug abuse. Its an effort to make media that leaves a lasting positive impact in the world. I fully committed myself to the project. It involved not only writing and directing, investing my own money but I had the pleasure of being the Director of Photography."

Her forthcoming films in the festival circuit this year are Non-staurant of Water Street (Documentary) and Lotus which are currently in post-production.

Non-staurant of Water Street is a documentary filmed in New York. It’s on an individual that reflects on a much bigger global issue. An opportunity to follow his day’s journey and understand that common face we see on many streets of New York. This film was completed within a short time span and with budget constraints. “The limitations forced me into making interesting decisions and think creatively to shoot effectively.”

Her inclination towards slice-of-life based stories made her choose Lotus, based on the journey of a teenage mother and how she grows into a woman. She decided to use her skills as a filmmaker, to explore this emotional and psychological impact on not only the sufferer’s lives, but also on their loved ones.

Her upcoming projects are Thugy Smartpants, Adrift, Rent of A Lifetime and several others.

She is writing the next script for an untitled project she wants to be the Director of Photography for. She writes and creates films that ‘promote positivity amongst the negativity in this world and invoke change in one’s life’ within the parameters of your financial resources and choose a unique subject that could work in a ‘no budget framework’ which is crucial.

“As a filmmaker I want to put together character driven non-fiction film narratives that engage audiences on journeys exploring and tackling important social justice issues.”

As a Director of Photography, Falguni brings a fresh and unique perspective to each client and project adding value that results in creative solutions to often complex problems. She creates powerful story-driven images on set rather than leaving the mood and color of a piece until post; and shooting visual effects that sail through post easily. Driven by story, her choice of movement, lighting, and composition revolve around the ability to capture a scene in a way that draws the viewer in, minimizing visual distractions, while maintaining an image that grabs the audience’s attention.

In addition to working as a Director of Photography, she has also been a Colorist for numerous films including her own. As a Colorist, she worked on the pilot episode of the web-series Juiced, which has been her favorite so far.

As a Colorist, she excels in having a sharp, meticulous eye for color and a strong communication with her clients in order to bring their vision to the screen. Her passion about moving image evokes mood, tone and communicates ideas. Her experience with such diverse content from simple color correction to complicated color grades, gives Falguni the unique ability to find the right “look” for any project.

Born in Mumbai (India), Falguni’s passion for film came from watching black and white and Technicolor films from her father’s collection. Growing up, she was a television and movie junkie. She was enthralled with how the camera moved and framed the characters in order to tell their story. All that television might have been bad for most kids, but Falguni turned it into a career.

She began her path into film making with a Two Year Diploma Degree in VFX (2012-14) from the Whistling Woods International, Mumbai (India).

Driven by the desire to master her technical skills in film, her next stop was New York City, where she earned a Diploma in Cinematography at the New York Film Academy in October 2014, beginning her career as a Director of Photography (DP).

She admires the work of Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorcese, Quentin Tarantino, Claudio Miranda and Wally Pfister. They keep the flame of unconventional visual story telling alive inside her.

We will be hearing more about Falguni Thakkar in the near future, as she continues to refine her talent and creative visions, then applies them to her work.

Visit Falguni Thakkar's Press Resource Page