Name: Ari Groobman
Discipline: Writer – Director
Film: Essentially Amy
Logline: A young Chinese American girl working at her local grocery store during the height of the pandemic must confront growing racism towards Asian Americans while mitigating her mother’s expectations and personal bias towards Black Americans at home.
Streaming: You can watch ‘Essentially Amy’ now on YouTube! Click the following link to enjoy the film!
Festival(s): Georgia Shorts Film Festival 2023
City you’re based in: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Short Bio: Ari is a writer and director living in Los Angeles, California. He loves to tell bittersweet stories blended with dark comedy and horror to highlight culturally diverse journeys surrounding mental health and identity. He likes to focus on detailed character-driven narratives drawing from his eclectic cultural and vocational background. Ari graduated as a biological engineer, however, his undying love for film and television brought him into the industry. He is also an accomplished public speaker, a mental health advocate, a published poet and scientist, Lindy Hop dancer, botanist, and martial artist.
Website: https://www.arigroobman.com/
Social Media Links: IG @ari_groobman
Favorite Quote: “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu
Interests/ Hobbies: Lindy Hop Dancer; Cook; Mixology; Archery; Knife Throwing; Botanist; Martial Arts; Boxing

How did you get started in the Film Industry?
I actually started accidentally. I was a senior in college when my neighbor at the time asked me to model some clothing for her brand. That eventually led me to get a modeling agent, which then led me to get casted in some small projects. That was when I realized people can make a living through film (albeit a very difficult journey to get there nonetheless). As a child, I always dreamed of becoming a writer/director, and I thought I’d rather give it my best than not at all and regret it. In 2021, I officially relocated to Los Angeles and left behind modeling/acting to focus more on my writing and directing.

What are your upcoming and active projects?
The big one now is a dramatic horror short, which we will be launching on IndieGoGo very soon! The title is PROJECTION, a bloody tale made by survivors of domestic abuse about the monsters in our homes. The link will be on my website by March 1, 2024, if you would like to take a look. If it’s something you’re interested in, we would be so grateful for any contributions and just sharing with other fellow indie film and horror fans 🙂

What type of stories interest you and why?
I’m not picky honestly. I love everything, as long as it’s done with care. As my partner likes to say, there are no poor ideas, just poor execution.

What is your genre of choice?
Horror, Comedy, Action, or a blend of them and Drama mixed in.

How are you creating a path for yourself in this industry?
If you’re asking career-wise, I currently work as a showrunner assistant. If you’re asking my strategy, just making friends. Biggest piece of advice I ever got was don’t network, make friends. A rising tide raises all boats, and if you connect with people you genuinely enjoy being around and they genuinely enjoy your company, friends will naturally help each other out.

What inspires you as a storyteller?
Honesty. I grew up with a lot of fabrications used for harm. I think the power of story telling is that it can be a way to lift up and connect with people through fantasy that highlights truths, good and bad.

How do you prep for a film, from writing to being on set?
I do my best lol. There’s really not one way to do things. I think the most important thing is do whatever works, and keep on top of it. If you like to write in the morning, do that. If you like to write at night, go for it. If you want to work every day on it, or just work on it on the weekends, whatever. It should be comfortable enough so you are CONSISTENT. Working in film is a marathon, not a sprint, so whatever you need to do to keep yourself moving and accountable, do that.

What is the first thing you do when you get a script?
If it’s not something I wrote, I read it once quickly, and then read it a second time slowly. I try to find out what the writer is trying to tell me (if anything) through their story, and if it’s something for me to direct, I try to think how I can highlight and enhance it so that it can be the best version of itself.

What are a few lessons you’ve learned from your recent project(s)?
No one knows anything. Really. Just do your best and be a nice person.

What practical tips do you have for indie filmmakers (budgeting, marketing, directing)?
Other than the basics (work on other people’s sets; make your own quick shorts with friends; keep watching movies, etc)? Work on your mental health. We got enough mean people in the world and on set, we don’t need anymore. Get your sh*t together, get your motivation in order, and hopefully we’ll see you out there.

Join us in bringing ‘Projection’ to life – a gripping horror short crafted by survivors of domestic abuse. Your support means the world. Visit this website by March 1, 2024, to learn more and contribute!