Director’s Cut

Please introduce yourself.
I’m Majid, I’m an independent filmmaker based in Singapore and I’ve been in the media industry for the past three to four years.

Did you have any formal training in film?
I used to study at Temasek Poly under the digital film and television course, and that’s how I transited to my current career.

How has it been working independently and freelancing as a filmmaker?
In my opinion, at this period of time, it’s quite competitive, especially since I am quite private, so it’s kind of hard to put myself out there. But at the same time, since I’m working in media, I know it’s important to put my work out there for people to see since this is my main sustenance

Oh yeah, we feel you. What’s the most exciting production you’ve worked on?
I work a lot with musicians and artists from PK Records and I assist them with some of their music productions or when they do live sessions. So it’s cool to get to see various international bands that come to Singapore, like YONLAPA and The Panturas, and help them with their performances.

At the same time, being able to have a studio and being a part of this circle has enhanced my creativity. Getting to meet people like my friend Sadat who’s also a filmmaker and DJ, we both are very in sync creatively and musically, so we’re able to share references and support each other—it’s special.

Totally, this place seems like such a confluence of creativity! On that note, how long have you had your studio?
I’ve been here for almost a year now, and I’m planning to extend my lease because this place has really given me a boost—especially when it comes to my creative decisions. I’m trying to hold onto this feeling and this space for as long as I can, because I know it’ll stay with me as a core memory for a long time.

Going back to film, what’s a movie or piece of media that has inspired you recently?
Lately, I’ve found myself watching a lot of short reels, probably more than I should (laughs). Interestingly, even though I’m a filmmaker, I tend to avoid watching too many movies. I feel like being in this line of work can actually take away from the experience of enjoying a film. You start analysing every scene, picking it apart, and it becomes hard to just watch something without critiquing it. So instead, I draw inspiration from short-form content. Right now, a lot of people are drawn to that format, and I find it helpful to observe what’s visually appealing or resonates with audiences. If something stands out to me aesthetically, I take reference from it in my own work.

Interesting! Then was there a recent reel or account that caught your eye?
No, I don’t follow any particular accounts. I usually scroll through YouTube Shorts instead of TikTok because I’ve gotten tired of the endless doom scrolling. It got so bad one day that my fingers were physically exhausted from just lying down and scrolling non-stop!

What’s your dream role to have in the industry?
If we’re talking about roles in film production, my main interest is in becoming a camera assistant. I’d love to work closely with the director of photography—helping with rigging, setting up cameras, and monitors. I really enjoy the technical side of things and being hands-on with the equipment.

Is there a particular director you want to work with?
The one and only Stanley Kubrick. What inspires me about him is that he started out in technical roles and photography—he really worked his way up before becoming a director. That’s the kind of journey I see for myself too. Funny enough, I’ve only seen one of his films, The Shining, but he’s just one of the greats. It’s more about his work ethic and approach to life, which I hope to apply to my own journey.