My latest chat is with Anis Maknojia, actor, visionary, and creative from Texas and living life and pursuing his dreams in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. We talk about his transition from Lone-Star State to the City of Angels and his film Artifice. He also shares how he prepared for his role as Tony in the film.
Introducing Anis…
What do you love about your life right now?
The freedom to pursue my passion and hobby as a business.
Alright, when I first talked to you on the phone the other week, I immediately knew from you saying ma’am that you were not from LA. When you made the decision to leave your home state of Texas was it easy was it to make the move and were there any challenges?
It wasn’t easy but I do adapt quickly to my surroundings and situations, but with the support from My parents and close friends back in Texas, I’ve been able to overcome a lot of the struggles I felt in transitioning from Texas to LA. Just the fact of trying to adjust to an unknown place, with unknown people and uncertainty in the mind of where I’m headed was my biggest struggle.
Is there any advice you wished you knew before you moved out to LA to pursue
your dreams in the entertainment industry?
your dreams in the entertainment industry?
After moving here, I quickly figured out it’s a big world out here and full of lots of talent which makes it highly competitive. But actually, I don’t see others around me as competition, more as an actual learning experience. I’ve found a way to work alongside fellow peers and continuously to do so with more talented people in the industry.
You’re in the film Artifice, directed by Frederick Nah IV, in the leading role as Tony, who is torn between a life in organized crime and the life he wants. Tell me a little more about the character Tony, and what does he want?
Tony is a guy that has made mistakes and done his fair share of criminal work for most part of his early adulthood leading into his mid-30s. But the life of crime he was living didn’t feel right and felt things are starting to make sense in his life and wanted to live the life of crime behind. As fate would have it, a chain of unforeseeable events brought the dream of a better life crashing down into the ground and he ultimately felt it was his responsibility to make it right again. if he could, that is.
You had mention to me that the film was your idea and story. You’re visionary and creative behind it, what was your inspiration behind the film?
My main inspirations came from my writing. I love to tell a good story. I think of creating a film as a canvas, upon which I paint my inspiration and my visions of a great story for the audience to enjoy and to be entertained by.
How did you prepare for the role of Tony?
I did have to prepare for it, being it was my first film, so I wanted to do it right. And with the help of Aaron Dominguez, a close friend of Frederick, he coached me into playing the role of Tony really well, actually better than expected.
Was there a particular actor or film that inspired you to act?
Not really, the genre of action crime drama is large out there but I drew my inspiration from a lot of other films such as John Wick, Jason Borne, and actor Liam Neeson from their movies, etc. These
characters helped me define Tony even more.
characters helped me define Tony even more.
What do you enjoy about acting and the challenges?
I just love being in the moment, and as an actor you’re able to let the moment take you away so you can give the best performance ever. I guess the thrill of it is what I enjoy, the personality and the characters that I play.
You’ve started your own film company Land Ahoy! Films and Artifice is the first one in association with Phoenix 4 Productions to be produced. What’s it like to see something that you visualize and then see it on screen?
It’s feels absolutely amazing, it’s a feeling like no other. Truly an experience of its own and can’t be substituted or replaced by anything else that you can experience in life.
What’s next for Land Ahoy! Films?
Currently as of this interview, I’m in post-production with another short film which I did with Frederick called With Interest, which is due to be out spring 2020. It’s a short crime action-comedy that was written by myself and directed by Aaron Dominguez and produced by Frederick Tabiyus.
It’s another Land Ahoy! and Phoenix 4 Production.
It’s another Land Ahoy! and Phoenix 4 Production.
Keanu Reeves said, “Art is about trying to find the good in people and making the world a more compassionate place.” Do you agree and is that what you want to do with the art you make?
I totally agree with Mr. Reeves, the world is a big place but through compassion and kindness towards others it makes the world feel a little smaller and brings us closer as a human race regardless of the race, sex, and even age, no matter where you’re in this world.
How do you visualize your future within the next year?
I definitely want to do a feature film of my own and be part of a big production as a lead talent.
Tell me three fun facts about you.
Humorous (sometimes dark humor), spontaneous, and out for the next adventure.
Describe yourself in one word.
Creativity
I enjoy sharing quotes with my readers. Do you have one you can share that motivates you and inspires you?
“Don’t just think you can, know you can and you will see the difference that a mindset can make physically and mentally.” Anis Maknojia.
Thank you for reading!
Follow Anis on social media
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Land Ahoy!Films