In Conversation: Radha Bhandari

We're back with another interview already! Radha Bhandari is an early stage creative producer & screenwriter, based in Manchester. Radha just recently launched Alta Ambit Productions, an independent production company that's dedicated to support emerging creatives and bridge the gap in showcasing their voices on screen. They're looking to work with a diverse range of writers and creatives across the North West and East Midlands & in our chat, we chat about upcoming projects from Alta Ambit Productions & the values that led to Radha's founding of the company.

Hello! Who are you? What do you do?

Hi! I’m Radha Bhandari, an early stage Screenwriter/Creative Producer and I work across multi-mediums, from founding my review blog site ‘Oh Have You Seen’ to writing short-form for local and national film festivals. I recently graduated from The University of Manchester where I had the chance to work with a variety of artists to tackle prominent social issues through a range of creative content, new types of audience participation, and collaborations with different kinds of peoples.

After recently joining BFI NETWORK’s Creative Producer School 2020, I began to expand my networks across the North and learnt vital techniques to bring a script into fruition. This led me to found Alta Ambit Productions with the aim to develop stories from the communities and voices around me.

Is there anything you're looking forward to now that you've graduated?

First and foremost, I’m looking forward to meeting as many people as possible - in the virtual world or otherwise! After leaving Producer School, the thing I enjoyed the most was learning from more experienced filmmakers and finding other people that were passionate about working towards a particular idea. One of those people being West Midlands based Producer, Kelly Wong of Dyzygo Films, who I’ve joined up with for two projects in development and is also committed to facilitating bold, diverse storytelling.

Overall, I’m itching to get things made. It’s been a long couple of months stuck in pre-production and I want to form teams that can bring a wealth of ideas to life. I think lockdown has swerved a lot of people’s plans but in one sense I haven’t officially chucked my graduation hat in the air so I'm also looking forward to that!

You've just launched Alta Ambit Productions, tell us more about it! Where can people find you?

Alta Ambit Productions is an independent company that is all about supporting emerging creative voices and pushing the boundaries of who gets to take their story to the screen. We started in the East Midlands but are extending into Manchester and we’re looking to work with a diverse range of writers and creatives across these regions on innovative content that can transcend form and genre.

Right now, we are really searching for talent across departments, from writers with the beginnings of a concept, to building a reliable network of camera technicians. Those people who feel their voice is underrepresented can come find us at altaambit.com or my socials: @radhabhan, to see if there are any upcoming films that might take their fancy, or to come have a chat about their passion projects. (If there are any potential investors out there, any support would be very much appreciated and we’re also looking to hear from you!)

There may be others who might be looking to start their own production companies, were there any particular struggles you faced? How did you get around them?

I think one of the main problems was that the process felt very elusive. Having to apply for Corporation Tax, setting up annual accounts, getting a website made.... it’s all been a learning curve! I don’t know if I’ve necessarily got around them as of yet but I’m grateful to have parents that both came from setting up their own independent businesses. I recognise that in itself is a privilege and would be happy to talk to people in a similar position before they jump on Companies House. Not saying I am the all-knowing voice but we could hopefully learn from each other!

One thing I would say is that curating a website and utilising things like a business email to get a sense of the brand was important. Not something I am particularly good at but I had our wonderful graphic designer, Shalayna Sakaria, guiding me through. I think that speaks to finding people on the same wavelength and that you trust to support the foundations of your business. Similarly, upcoming producers should find and make the most of events run by organisations like Film Hub North, who I hear are developing sessions for small production businesses.

For anyone reading, how can they get involved, or find out more about the work you're doing? Are there any projects coming up that may be of interest?

Currently, we are on the hunt for potential directors for an upcoming short, “Doses”. The film will explore a third-generational British-Punjabi lens and revolves around a young girl who, after the passing of her Nani Ji, looks to recreate the magic of the dosa dish from a person she’s never met. We want to ask what aspects of a cultural memory or connection to heritage are lost when that person passes on?

We are ideally looking for members within this community that share in this specific cultural lens, and those who feel they can breathe life into these ideas. That’s not to say it’s exclusive to the South-Asian community but having a key understanding of the diaspora is vital.

If that resonates with anyone reading and they wish to get involved, we would love to hear from you! To stay updated with the latest on other projects of interest, keep your eyes on our site in the upcoming months. We are always looking to hear from emerging creatives so feel free to send me an email at radha@altaambit.com.

Finally, what's next for you and Alta Ambit Productions?

After our launch, the next steps are searching for funding for our current projects and to curate a slate that could provide insight into issues that I would have valued seeing the representation of, when growing up. Alta Ambit Productions seeks to create a space to investigate the changes across generations and consider how this generation of young people will forge their futures.

Throughout the last year I have learnt so much from wiser and more established producers, writers and directors. But I have found that when attending networking sessions or in spaces of experienced creatives there is often a representation gap. It seems there’s one predominant voice that overwhelms the room. While there has definitely been a change in the tide, which I am thankful for, it needs to go so much further and I intend to make as much noise in that room as possible.

Make sure you check out Radha’s blog, Oh Have You Seen & Alta Ambit Productions.

—

Image credits: Radha Bhandari