Source: Photos: Courtesy

Shahriar Abdullah, Production Designer and Art Director of Realm Pictures, a production house he founded with his friends, has tasted success since they started their work. But this success did not come easily-- the struggle and effort put into their work proved to everyone how dreams really do come true.

 “When I was only 7-years-old, living in the UK, I was a big fan of Star Wars. My father brought me a 'Star Wars- behind the scenes' cassette, since the show itself was not available for purchase back then. Watching the work behind the scenes made me realise that all of what I see on television is man-made. It also made me realise, I wanted to be one of the men making them!” he shares. Shahriar studied at Torquay Boys' Grammar where he and his friends, fascinated by film, learned to make their own. “At that time, my obsession moved on to The Lord of The Rings and I used to religiously watch the making of the movie.

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While he fantasised about working on movies, making sets and designing props, his father wanted him to have a more academic life. “I studied law at Keele University to keep my family happy. But two years in, I realised that I just couldn't give up on my dream,” says Abdullah. Although his family was not thrilled that he gave up law, they soon saw the kind of passion he had for the work he did, and started supporting him in all his endeavours.

He next teamed up with his friends from high school, and started Realm Pictures. With his friends David M Reynolds as the Director, Eve Hazelton as Director of Photography and Editor, and Jonathan Dupont as Producer and Writer, the four started working tirelessly towards recognition. Their first film- Zomblies- was an instant hit on YouTube. “We got quite a lot of exposure and even my idol, Sir Richard Taylor, Founder and Creative Director of Weta Workshops, and the set, costume and prop designer of The Lord of The Rings, had sent us positive feedback! That is when we knew that we had what it takes and we could go much further with our work,” shares Abdullah. They then came up with the idea to make an underwater film. “But for that we would need a lot of money,” he says. They entered a competition called the Rain Dance Film Festival, won 3000 pounds and a trip to Cannes Film Festival to kick off their project. There, after pitching their ideas to various people in film and media, they found many interested in their project who were willing to work for free only because the idea was so thrilling. They even collected crowd funds from Kick-Starter and raised more than enough money to make their film.

Source: Photos: Courtesy

Their film, The Underwater Realm, was, once again, an instant hit and they were called to Los Angeles for an interview. During their time in Hollywood, they met a lot of interested producers who showed eagerness to work with the talented youngsters. Then it happened- Richard Taylor himself invited the group out to New Zealand for them to spend some time with Weta. Shahriar's dream finally came true as he was asked to assist Richard Taylor for some new projects. Already having some hit films under their names; Realm Pictures plans to take their works further with more upcoming projects in Hollywood. Shahriar himself now, not only works with Realm, but also teaches classes in YouTube space in London, on animation, prop building and sets.