A spotlight on film and music video producer: Zeus Zamani0

If you’ve ever done a project at AZ studios you know that Zeus is one of the most calculated and driven producers in LA right now.

With a seriousness that rivals that of a general in war, Zeus prides himself on getting productions done with the least amount of problems and as close to under budget as possible.

But what is it that makes him tick? How does he keep going in such a competitive field? Well, why don’t we ask him!

How long have you been working in film production?

I’ve been producing since 2006, so it’s been almost 6 years. My first project took me and my brother, Ali Zamani, to Sweden to shoot parts of a feature film he had written and was planning to direct.

What are your three favorite things about working in the film industry?

1) I’ve always loved working on projects; the satisfaction of seeing an idea develop into a living/breathing entity has always been great for me!
2) There are no two projects that are exactly the same; as a producer you can never “see it all”! The new challenges and obstacles you face are never ending, making each project I work on an enlightening adventure.
3) The human contact, interaction and networking aspects of the film industry are all things I definitely love and have always excelled at.
A big part of being a producer is the ability to understand and appreciate the importance of relationships with other individuals. In this industry you must embrace the fact that every single individual and position is just as important as the next.

What are your three least favorite things about working in the film industry?

I don’t really have three things but, if anything, I would have to say it’s that as a producer you never ‘clock off’. It’s a lifestyle commitment rather than a job, which is fine 90% of the time, but I wish I could just clock off now and again!

Out of the 300+ productions you’ve worked on which one is your favorite or most memorable?

Every single project has had its own great memories and experiences; however there is definitely a couple that spring to mind. Producing the video for Tyler the Creator was great in that we had to order large hissing cockroaches, stage a vomit and even a suicide by hanging. That stuff is just fun to me.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in the industry?

The biggest challenge to date I would say was producing the feature film project “Battlefield America”. This is a dance movie which we spent 2 months in pre-production for, and shot in 27 days.

I worked for an average of 14 hours per day without a single day off in that period. Every day presented itself with logistical challenges and obstacles so it was a huge learning curve for my career.

Overseeing a large budget production, 15 million to be exact, and managing my personal crew of about 50 members was definitely not easy! Working with children was also definitely no piece of cake as anyone in the industry can tell you. So many restrictions, rules, laws, etc.

But – we were able to come through and complete it. It’s now being screened at various studios (I am not allowed to say which ones) and will hopefully be released theatrically January or February of 2012!

What are your plans for the Future?

The plans of the future definitely include producing more feature films, including a project written by and directed by my brother, Ali Zamani. We’re planning to put together projects which involve shooting in different parts of the world and would need collaboration with production companies/producers in other countries.

As you can see Zeus is a busy guy and his eye is always pointed toward the future.

If you would like to get more information on upcoming projects feel free to leave a comment below.

If you’re interested in reading some of Zeus Zamani’s producer journals we’ve featured on the blog click below to read them!

Producer’s Journal – February 2011

Producer’s Journal – The private screening

Producer’s Journal – Summer 2011