Who is Kate Burduzhan? Tell us everything about your background
I’m an NYC independent director and currently work in fashion. I used to think that I’m self-made because, for me, it’s a pretty charming label, but I actually graduated from music school where the violin was the main instrument, have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, and finished 2-year Conservatory from New York Film Academy in filmmaking program. Additionally, I was taking a screenwriting course and others. So I was studying all my life. I think a true director has to have a lot of proficiency, knowledge, and especially life experience. In my opinion, it is a special person who is wise enough. I demand a lot from myself to call myself a director and think I’m still like a kid but with ambitions.
What would you say is your artistic niche in film direction?
My philosophy builts on the constant use of references and allusions. My statements in the works are always partial and never claim to be complete. A combination of references to projects that have hooked me is manifested in my works. I like to leave open endings for the audience to build their unique end, in which they come to a conclusion through internal and external dialogue.
We’d love to know more about the short film “It’s your fault” you recently won the 2021 Hollywood Boulevard’s Best New Filmmaker. What inspired this masterpiece?
I talk about what I know. This film is based on a real story. It explores how the victim’s perception in the eyes of society after facing sexual abuse. Very often, the blame game ends up with the victim being held responsible for everything that has happened. While his/her internal guilt, already overwhelming enough, is rarely taken into consideration.
The closing scene of this film is intended to open a conversation on the victim’s side of the story. All together, we have to be able to talk about it. Consistently and persistently. Through this film, I am trying to build another communication bridge to keep the dialogue going.
Beside films, you direct commercials, music videos and art, How does the planning and execution look like for each of these different categories? And which do you enjoy most and why?
I don’t categorize projects. The most important thing is that I should like a project and it should have a message. I invest the maximum in every project.
Each process (pre, production, and post) has its specificities, but for me, the most important thing is team. If you manage to gather people who trust you and at the same time have the same mindset as you, it will have the best synergy that will give birth to work that will make a name for everyone.
A director is a brain, but all the important organs and the body are crew.
If you had to pick an overall favourite project to date from all your directing work, what would it be and why? Walk us through the whole process.
Short film “IT’S YOUR FAULT”.Â
As a perfectionist, I can surely say that I’m proud of this work also because it was my film debut as well as for producer, DOP, production designer, and sound designer. I found all my team through Instagram, and the fact that I didn’t know anyone from my crew before and it worked so well is just proof that the movie magic exists, and it was there from the begging to the end.
The most important thing is to find yours. If you make a parallel, I can say that I gave birth because the whole process, from the pre-production to post-production, took 9 months. And now this film lives its own life and yields results for the entire team.
Aside from face-to-face directing, we have seen that you have taken a step into the digital world as well. Talk us through this new outlet in your creative career, what challenges have you faced, what victories have you discovered?
I think in the digital world if we are talking about AR technology, you truly have to believe in the product because you face troubles related to technical disability. After all, it’s still a developing sphere, so without this “blind” belief, I don’t think I would do it with the enthusiasm that I have right now.
In my case, I believe in the company ZERO10 with which I worked because I got to know the team and their mindset.
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Edited by GLITCH Team