To stand apart from the rest in any niche or sector, one must question the norms, learn-unlearn and relearn things, gain more knowledge, and most importantly work passionately to reach one’s desired success or attain an influential position in their chosen field, highlights Ryan Shah, the prominent name in the US entertainment world. Ryan Shah as a Mumbai talent based in Los Angeles as a director and editor, over the years, has ensured to pushed boundaries in the oh-so evolving and competitive entertainment industry, but “that’s how you go ahead in standing apart,” he points out.

He explains that one can evidently notice the evolution of storytelling in the entertainment realm, where directors today like exploring the intersection of creativity, emotions and visual storytelling in modern-day entertainment projects, be it ad films, short films, feature films or music videos and the like. “I believe that storytelling has always been at the heart of human communication, and visual media today is one of the most powerful tools for conveying narratives and stories. As a director and editor, I can say that artists like us get the unique opportunity to take our audiences on a unique and emotional journeys through our lens. Also, in the digital age, there are greater ways one can transport audiences on an altogether different entertainment realm with the power of storytelling, transcending traditional boundaries in the era of the digital wave.”

As a 14-year-old Ryan Shah for fun would create gaming videos and that’s how he also honed his editing skills. Gradually, diving deeper into the art, and also creating a wedding video for his brother’s ceremony instilled in him more confidence to pursue visual storytelling more seriously. These experiences refined his technical skills, instilling in him a deep understanding of how to capture authentic emotions through the art of filmmaking.

“When it comes to direction and editing, all those vying to make their mark in the industry must try and focus on adding more emotional depth in visual stories. It is also necessary to look beyond the surface and tap into the deeper narrative. As a director, you need to see the world you wish to create through your lens beyond its physicality, and start capturing the emotions beneath its surface,” he points out.

Concluding, Ryan Shah says, “Focusing on the emotions of the story and creating stories that can easily resonate with your audience, one can break the mold and inspire audiences worldwide.”