Igor Raevskii

Unaffiliated

What was your first professionally directed work and when was it?
If we’re talking about my first paid, professional work, that would be this year—a music video for the artist Nige.

How did you get into directing?
My journey was a bit like Quentin Tarantino’s. I initially took acting classes, but during my studies, I realized I wanted more than just to be in a movie—I wanted to bring my own stories and ideas to life. That’s when I knew I needed to be a director. I wrote my first short film script and directed it using actors from my acting class. I fell in love with the craft and continued to refine my skills.

What is your most recent project?
I recently wrapped filming my new short film Chanel, which is currently in postproduction. The film’s logline: A man’s brief encounters with a sex worker at a motel prompt deep self-reflection.

What is the best part of being a director?
The best part is getting to create movies! I live for film. While I’m currently focused on short films, I hope to direct my first feature film soon!

What is the worst part of being a director?
Unfortunately, one of the more challenging aspects can be working with people who lack passion for the project or managing differing egos. While these situations can be disheartening, they also motivate me to seek out and collaborate with those who share my vision and enthusiasm, ensuring that the team is aligned and focused on creating something special.

What is your current career focus: commercials and branded content, television, movies? Do you plan to specialize in a particular genre–comedy, drama, visual effects, etc.?
My current focus is movies and commercials. I’d like to try different genres, but right now, I want to concentrate on dramas.

Have you a mentor and if so, who is that person (or persons) and what has been the lesson learned from that mentoring which resonates with you?
I don’t have a formal mentor, as I’m self-taught in filmmaking. However, I draw inspiration from various filmmakers whose work I admire, and I consider them my mentors, even though we’ve never met.

Who is your favorite director and why?
My favorite directors tend to change over time, but there are five who have consistently ranked at the top of my list throughout my life: Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino, Aleksei Balabanov, and Andrey Zvyagintsev.

What is your favorite movie? Your favorite television/online program? Your favorite commercial or branded content?
I have a lot of favorite movies! Some of my top picks include Raging Bull, There Will Be Blood, Memento, Pulp Fiction, The Matrix, Terminator 1-2, Scarface, La Haine, Stalker, Brother, and Come and See.

Additionally, I really admire the commercial work of Salomon Lightelm for its creativity and visual storytelling.

Tell us about your background (i.e., where did you grow up? Past jobs?)
I was born and raised in a small town in Russia called Syktyvkar, located in the Komi Republic. When I was 20 years old, I moved to the United States. Before I got into film, I played drums in punk bands.

Have you had occasion to bring your storytelling/directorial talent to bear in the Metaverse, tapping into the potential of AR, VR, AI, NFTs and/or experiential fare? If so, tell us about that work and what lessons you have taken away from the experience?
I haven’t worked in the Metaverse yet, but I think it could be a great opportunity for storytelling, and I would be interested in trying it.

Contact

Website: igorraevskii.com
Contact via email here