MY JOURNEY
NATASHA MUDI FILM & COMMERCIAL ART DIRECTOR
Art Directing is quite literally my lifE;
I may be only 28 but about 20 of those years has been spent with either a camera in my hand or working on a film set, where I feel a true sense of belonging. I love problem solving and creating these little worlds and visions for directors and ultimately the audience. It is a lesser-known aspect to filmmaking but an extremely vital cog to ensure the whole production runs smoothly. You may not think that the continuity of a colour scheme or the placement of a photo frame in a certain shot needs considered but it does so much in creating the bigger picture, and that’s where I come in. I have worked my way from countless independent short films right up to a Netflix feature film.
School Around the Corner
But didn’t happen overnight, and I guess you could say it all started with School Around the Corner. Yes, that much-loved TV show in the 1990s where you’re interviewed by Frank Mitchell about things like the weather and your favourite colour. At the young age of seven I walked onto the set of the show and I knew instantly, this is where I wanted to be.
While being in front of the camera with all the bright lights was of course an exciting opportunity for me at that young age, when I saw all the work going on behind the scenes – the camera crew, the lighting technicians, the set designers – I knew this is where the magic happens, and I wanted to be a part of it.
From then on, I was never seen without a camera in hand, making silly home videos. And while I loved watching movies and documentaries and really appreciating the art of it, I was always more interested in figuring out how they were made.
Throughout my school life I knew I wanted to be involved in the film industry in some way, but I didn’t know exactly where I fitted in. I dabbled in acting for a little while but soon realised my place was not in front of the camera, it was behind it.
BFI Film Academy
DELIVERED BY NFTS
At the age of 17 I was selected as one of only four people from Northern Ireland to attend the British Film Institute Film Academy Alumi at The Nation Film and TV School. There were 66 young filmmakers selected to shoot a short film in London over the course of two weeks. During the residency, you had to apply for the position you wanted to gain the most experience in. I initially wanted to apply for the role of director or DOP but didn’t think I would get it, so I decided to try something different and apply for the role of production designer. I figured I was good at art in school and would probably have a good eye for detail, so I went for it and much to surprise I was selected. It seemed this decision was a stroke of fate because this is where I really found my love for art directing. Something just clicked and for the first time in my life I felt that this was something I was a complete natural at. When on set I had a flair for seeing the bigger picture. In art directing you are in charge of props, set design and the art department all in one and I loved it.
IT STARTS HERE
ones to watch interview Natasha Mudi
In our second Ones to Watch interview, One to Watch Katie Ireland Designs interviews Natasha Mudi. Natasha is an Art Director on productions including short films, music videos and commercials. Here, she chats with Katie about the role of being an Art Director and some of her work so far
BFI film academy
Delivered by the Nerve Centre
DÉJÀ VU! I had the absolute pleasure on giving my first MASTERCLASS in Art Directing for Short films to a group of 16-18 year olds as part of there BFI Film Academy with the nerve centre in /city.
Not to forget Orla Finucane (Script Supervisor) who delivered her first masterclass in script supervisor as-well who smashed it!! I learned so much from you!
The funny thing is... just a few years ago I was in the same position as these teens. Sitting behind a desk taking notes from industry professionals. It's nice to come around full circle. 30 November 2019
66 stars of the future premiere their short films at BFI IMAX, London 2014
After two weeks of filmmaking workshops and expert tuition, 66 young filmmakers aged 16-19 graduate from the BFI Film Academy with six completed short films.
NATASHA MUDI FILM & COMMERCIAL ART DIRECTOR
Claire Shaw at Cinemagic put together a panel event as part of a their ON THE PULSE festival in March 2023. One of their events was the Cinemagic BFI Film Academy 2022/23 cohort film showcase at the QFT.
As part of the screening the two Cinemagic BFI FA films, There was a panel for the young filmmakers. Which included myself and Christine Morrow from NI Screen.
I talk about the routes I took into the industry and the opportunities I got involved with for new entrants and what I've worked on so far.
66 stars of the future
premiere their short films at BFI IMAX, London 2014
After two weeks of filmmaking workshops and expert tuition, 66 young filmmakers aged 16-19 graduate from the BFI Film Academy with six completed short films.
BFI film academy
Delivered by the Nerve Centre
DÉJÀ VU! I had the absolute pleasure on giving my first MASTERCLASS in Art Directing for Short films to a group of 16-18 year olds as part of there BFI Film Academy with the nerve centre in /city.
Not to forget Orla Finucane (Script Supervisor) who delivered her first masterclass in script supervisor as-well who smashed it!! I learned so much from you!
The funny thing is... just a few years ago I was in the same position as these teens. Sitting behind a desk taking notes from industry professionals. It's nice to come around full circle. 30 November 2019
ONES TO WATCH INTERVIEW
WITH NATASHA MUDI
In our second Ones to Watch interview, One to Watch Katie Ireland Designs interviews Natasha Mudi. Natasha is an Art Director on productions including short films, music videos and commercials. Here, she chats with Katie about the role of being an Art Director and some of her work so far
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NATASHA MUDI FILM & COMMERCIAL ART DIRECTOR
