Q&A with NYFA Cinematography Alum Aditya Gupta

NYFA Alum Aditya Gupta graduated from NYFA in April 2023 from the One Year Cinematography program at the Los Angeles Campus. Since graduating he has worked on various projects, his most recent one being the feature film La Vaste, for which he worked as a Camera Operator. Aditya spoke to the NYFA AlumnI Network about his cinematography career and his experience on the film.

NYFA Alumni Network: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, where you're from, and what brought you to New York Film Academy?

A.G: I'm Aditya Gupta, originally from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. My passion for storytelling and visual arts brought me to the New York Film Academy, where I pursued studies to further develop my skills and immerse myself in a vibrant creative environment. Despite having worked on over 40+ projects, I yearned for more opportunities to tell stories through my visual art. I also wanted to explore the Hollywood industry and understand how it functions differently than the Indian Bollywood Industry. This drive led me to pursue formal education in cinematography at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, further deepening my expertise. Currently, I'm engaged as the Director of Photography for the feature film 'Hunter,' directed by Vinay Krishnan.

NYFA Alumni Network: What projects have you worked on since graduating? Have you won any awards or been showcased in any festivals or competitions?

A.G: Since graduating, I have had the privilege of working on a variety of projects spanning feature films, short films, music videos, andTVC. Some notable highlights include winning awards and being showcased at prestigious festivals such as:

'La Vaste' - Premiered at Cannes Film Festival and Winner at Jagran film festival.

'Cursed Halloween' - nominated for Best Short Action Film at the Action Short Film Festival

'Lip Sync' - Prestige International Film Festival 2022 Best Editor and First Runner Up. 

'My Project Life' - Finalist in the Oniros Film Awards in New York and official selection in Indie Short Fest in International Los Angeles Short Film Festival

NYFA Alumni Network: Tell us more about your recent project La Vaste. How did you get involved in the project?

A.G: Directed and written by Sudeesh Kanaujia, La Vaste is a unique tale depicting the untold tragedy of unclaimed dead bodies in our society. It is a story about a man who has done B.Tech, gets the job of lifting unclaimed dead bodies in the name of job. The film, starring Omkar Kapoor, released across approximately 200 theaters globally as well as on the Zee5 OTT platform, "La Vaste" resonates with audiences by delving into themes of societal neglect, human dignity, and the inherent worth of every individual, regardless of their circumstances. I became a part of the project through a senior and mentor who was the DOP for this project and chose me for the role of Camera Operator. This opportunity allowed me to contribute my expertise to the visual storytelling aspect of the film, ensuring that its message creates a strong impact.

NYFA Alumni Network: What did you learn at NYFA that you applied directly to this project and others?
A.G: The invaluable education and hands-on experience I gained at NYFA directly influenced my approach to La Vaste and other projects. The comprehensive curriculum and practical training provided me with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle various aspects of filmmaking, from cinematography techniques to project management. I got to broaden my horizons, meet people from different cultures, experience new stories which in turn help me tell stories through visual play.

NYFA Alumni Network congratulates Aditya on his success!