Rising Stars: Meet Ruwel Sarmad

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruwel Sarmad.

Ruwel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I moved from Pakistan to Atlanta almost a decade ago after getting married. My first marriage ended in a very rough divorce and after that, I had to restart my life. I was alone with little sense of community and had to navigate a system that I was not even a part of. I was very young and faced struggles while making ends meet in a new country. I was working as a bank teller, as an Uber/Lyft driver, and also as an extra on various shows, all while finishing school at Georgia State University. After graduating with a degree in computer information systems, I landed my first IT audit job and was excited about a career in technology. Over the course of five years in corporate America, I found myself increasingly unhappy with my career path. I also struggled with the idea of giving up the stability that I had worked so hard to achieve. In order to determine my next steps, I took a long look at my past and thought about the interests and projects that were the most inspiring to me growing up. I reconnected with the creative part of me that was bogged down by the demands of the professional world.

As a teenager, I was extremely creative. I participated in theatrical performances, where I particularly enjoyed the storylines, the acting, and the direction of those plays. I also had a love for combining moving images and music to create lasting memories of what I was involved in. Whatever I did next needed to combine my interest in technology and my love for visual storytelling. From there I started making and editing short videos for fun, and everything just clicked. I quit my job to dedicate all my time to this endeavor. I taught myself the ins and outs of video camera technology, editing, and image processing.

I wanted to tell stories for people, businesses, and creators. It’s very important for me to do more than just create visual imagery. I love connecting with people and understanding their values and goals and creating something that is truly meaningful for them. Once I realized that I launched Ruwel Sarmad Productions

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was challenging for me to put myself and my work out there and really trust that the business would unfold the way I had imagined. However, every project that I have worked on has inspired me and given me a renewed sense of confidence.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I founded my video production company where I create visual storytelling for people and businesses that articulates their narratives to the world. I wear multiple hats throughout the production process, from filming and lighting, to script review, to directing, editing, and finalizing. I love it when I work with clients who come to me with a blank slate and have no idea about where to begin and what to include in a video for them – and trust me with the entire process.

I have made a wide variety of videos this year, including promotional, clothes and fashion, restaurants, and real estate. A very special moment for me was collaborating with my best friend of nearly 20 years from Pakistan. She has developed her own clothing line with a global customer base. She designed a series of beautiful Irish linen shirts that I featured in a dynamic, vibrant video. I staged the scene in my studio and styled the model for various looks. I used neon lighting to enhance the backdrop and incorporated colorful props to make everything pop. For editing, I used funky music and quick cuts to make a fun captivating video. It feels wonderful to work with people I love who inspire me – it’s what keeps me going.

What makes you happy?
I really enjoy hip-hop dancing at a local dance studio; Dance 101. It’s so wonderful to be a part of that community, and it’s so close to my heart. Adventure, exploring food, and traveling to mountain towns with my husband make me incredibly happy. This year we got the cutest Frenchie puppy, who will definitely be joining us in our travels next year.

Snowboarding brings me so much joy, and I can’t wait to get back on the slopes this season.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruwelsarmadproductions/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH5KptNLG_XmKo-LXfW9EgA 

Image Credits
Ruwel Sarmad Productions