Turning "You're Not Gonna Make It" into Emmys with Director-Editor Kabir Akhtar

Kabir Akhtar is an Emmy award winner who has worked on a long list of TV shows, such as Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Never Have I Ever, and The Sex Lives of College Girls. This accomplished director-editor-producer has directed 45 episodes of TV as of today.

In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins and Director-Editor, Kabir Akhtar, discuss:

Why Kabir still uses a printed script
Moving to Los Angeles and hearing “no” after “no”
Why post is the most important part of the process
Understanding editing before you start directing
Directing episodes in an existing show versus directing a pilot
The different “languages” you have be able to speak as a director
Editing scenes you directed yourself
Embracing the creative instincts from others on set
The right way to step into your leadership role as a director
Believing in yourself despite the opinions of others

Memorable Quotes

“It’s not really who you know, it’s ultimately who knows you.” [8:29]
“No one is going to the movies to read a script. No one is going to the movies to watch raw footage.” [14:08]
“Fundamentally editing is dark arts. It’s just doing a magic trick all day long.” [20:43]
“It’s better to swing and miss than not swing at all.” [33:06]
“I was completely convinced that it would happen and that it would absolutely never happen.” [56:20]

Mentioned Resources:

Connect with Kabir on Instagram

More about Kabir

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