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What Pharma Can Learn from Film Production: Lessons from a Customer Success Manager
Almost a decade ago, I traded indie film sets for conference rooms and clinical trials. Before stepping into my current role as a customer success manager in the pharma industry, I produced two independent feature films. Projects in which I poured my energy and heart into. These days, filmmaking is mostly a passion project; pharma pays the bills.
Viknesh Silvalingam
Jul 73 min read


The Project That Brought Me Back to Directing
After 5 years away from directing, I returned with a one-day shoot that reignited my creative spark. Here's how I reconnected with filmmaking.
Viknesh Silvalingam
Jun 173 min read


My science fiction screenplay will include these 3 elements
I'm in the screenwriting phase of the project. Not to give too much away about the plot, the story centers around a murder in the metaverse.
Viknesh Silvalingam
May 14, 20231 min read


3 key takeaways from making my first feature film
3 keys takeaways from making my first feature film
Viknesh Silvalingam
Feb 25, 20232 min read


Preparing for a Legal (Courtroom) Drama
"Everything that guy just said is bullshit. Thank you." - Vinny Cambini, My Cousin Vinny The year - 2011. The location - the living room...
Viknesh Silvalingam
Sep 21, 20216 min read


A Low Oscar ratings does not mean film is dying!
10 days ago, the 93rd Oscars (Academy Awards) ceremony, broadcasted live from Los Angeles. It is no hidden secret that the ratings hit an al
Viknesh Silvalingam
May 5, 20212 min read


The role of a reliable Assistant Director
The other most important role a production unit should consider hiring as soon as possible is the Assistant Director.
Viknesh Silvalingam
Apr 20, 20214 min read


Hybrid remote working in the film industry
At the peak of the pandemic, it was estimated that close to 120,000 workers in Hollywood alone were out of a job.
Viknesh Silvalingam
Apr 1, 20213 min read


We need more South Asian American films
"My role is not just artist. It’s also activist because of the way I look. On so many shows and movies, race was a gesture, and in mine...
Viknesh Silvalingam
Mar 10, 20215 min read


Adapting a novel into a movie? Here are 4 useful tips
I’ve had nine of my books adapted to film, and almost all were enjoyable. I’ve been fortunate with Hollywood and look forward to more...
Viknesh Silvalingam
Mar 2, 20214 min read


3 tips to keep your independent film under budget
"Money's only something you need in case you don't die tomorrow." - Carl Fox, Wall Street In my last blog, the 7 stages of the filmmaking...
Viknesh Silvalingam
Feb 23, 20214 min read


Making a movie? The 7 stages of the filmmaking process
“TO MAKE A FILM IS EASY; TO MAKE A GOOD FILM IS WAR. TO MAKE A VERY GOOD FILM IS A MIRACLE.” - Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (1*) Film...
Viknesh Silvalingam
Feb 9, 20214 min read


Getting a Film Distribution Deal in place
If a tree falls in a forest, and there's no one around to hear it, does it make a sound? The same can be said for your film if no one...
Viknesh Silvalingam
Jan 26, 20214 min read


Treatment: The blueprint of your entire project
With the growth of streaming platforms, there are a lot of opportunities for independent filmmakers to get their movies or TV shows made.
Viknesh Silvalingam
Jan 12, 20214 min read


The New Year: Looking ahead
Happy New Year! Last year's unexpected challenges created the spark for the creation of The Martini, a collaborative platform for...
Viknesh Silvalingam
Jan 5, 20214 min read


4 tips for the First Assistant Director in the Post Covid-19 world
There is recent audio about legendary actor Tom Cruise going off on a film crew for not following on-set COVID protocols(1*). Yes, at a...
Viknesh Silvalingam
Dec 21, 20205 min read


Recommended books to read when building a startup
When the inspiration came upon me sometime last year to start building my startup, I was immediately facing my first hurdle; How does one...
Viknesh Silvalingam
Nov 30, 20204 min read


Transformation in the meaning of Collaboration
In one of my earlier blog posts, I mentioned why filmmaking is considered a collaborative art form. By paying attention to the rolling...
Viknesh Silvalingam
Nov 2, 20203 min read


Freelancers: What you need to know about the future of this workforce.
One thing that COVID has increased, is the demand for freelancer workers.
Viknesh Silvalingam
Oct 19, 20204 min read


COVID has impacted Ultra Low Budget filmmaking
To ensure that a production comes within budget, it is common for crew members to work 12 to 14 hours days
Viknesh Silvalingam
Oct 12, 20204 min read
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