Jim Sarbh's YouTube Series "Crew Cut" Shines Spotlight on Unsung Heroes of Filmmaking

From Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway to Rocket Boys, from Neerja to Made in Heaven, Jim Sarbh has garnered both critical and popular praise in a number of noteworthy performances in recent years. Sarbh wants to share the spotlight rather than seize it all. With individuals whose contributions to the film industry are often disregarded, if not completely forgotten.

Sarbh intends to talk about and capture the work of crew members, such as editors, sound designers, cinematographers, and more, who give a movie not only its heart and soul but also its bones and muscles, as part of his new YouTube series, Crew Cut, which launched on January 13. Sarbh discussed the idea behind Crew Cut, possible interview subjects, and what it's like to be on the other side of the microphone in an interview with The Telegraph Online.


Give us additional information about Crew Cut and the reasons for the creation of the YouTube series.

Jim Sarbh: Myself and the actress and writer Zoya Hussain devised the interview series Crew Cut, in which we reverse the story. It's not the actors who conduct the interviews; they do the interviews. They speak with the crew, who are the storytellers we don't often hear from. Zoya and I are movie buffs who find the creation process to be fascinating. It's really cooperative and magical in a way.

We would want to interview our many friends who are involved in the filmmaking process in addition to a large number of other people. Our goal is to create the program independently and ideally consistently. We want to compile a cultural record with some of the top actors and directors from the Indian cinema industry. We're continuously in awe at the amount of labor that goes into every area of filmmaking, and we want more people to have the opportunity to meet these storytellers and learn about the creativity that goes into their so-called technical employment. Since the performers will be contributing their celebrity to the staff members, we had them conduct the interviews. Maybe you came for Vidya Balan, but as you leave, your thoughts turn to costume designer Niharika Bhasin.


What's it like to be on the other end of the interviewing process, having been interviewed so often yourself?

Jim Sarbh: I love it! I get to be silent and pick up knowledge.

Do you envision yourself appearing in movies or in other roles? Which crew positions would you want to fill?

Jim Sarbh All of them captivate me. However, I don't give the future a lot of thought.

Which crew member was the first with whom you really clicked?

Jim Sarbh My pals have always been musicians. If I were a really gifted musician, I think I would instantly give up acting. Music is an incredibly beautiful art form that transcends language and form. It is pure, emotive, collaborative, and a powerful means of communication.

Film composer Naren Chandavarkar was my first roommate in Mumbai. He's one of my closest friends, and I've loved following his professional journey. I had the honor of interviewing him and his colleague Benedict Taylor, and I'm still shook in my head at how eloquently, delightfully, and passionately they can discuss their job.

An actor has to give their character storyline and role their all attention. They must, in a sense, be self-centered. And because I see the value of it, I wouldn't hold it against an actor. However, a filmmaker, cinematographer, or composer of a film has to comprehend the whole of the narrative in addition to each individual moving element. They are continuously and concurrently narrating the tale of those times and the whole thing.

A lot of praise has been given to Made in Heaven. Are any members of the series' crew being interviewed by you?

Jim Sarbh Indeed, without a doubt. We spoke with the editor, Namrata Rao, and we have more interviews scheduled.


Is Crew Cut your approach to giving youth access to an industry insider's perspective?

Jim Sarbh: I'm not sure whether I would describe the team as empowered, but I would want everyone to recognize them as creative forces that put in a lot of effort to finally seem invisible, not just young people. They support the main plot while also assisting viewers in being more involved, paying attention, and experiencing emotions. They should ideally avoid drawing attention to themselves in an annoying manner. Rather, they enhance the overall tale experience.

What marketing strategies are you going to use for Crew Cut to make sure more people see it?

Jim Sarbh It's a solid start with this interview! Our budget for advertising is nonexistent. All we want to do is put on a fantastic performance and be reliable. Our main goal is for you to watch, however we do hope you will visit our YouTube channel and subscribe, like, or do anything else. Tell others if you like it. Find a method to contact us with your inquiries. with your recommendations for people you want us to speak with. If you interact with the show, we hope that you'll find yourself wondering, "Damn, who wrote the score for this?" while you watch a movie. The outfits look amazing, damn it! Who designed these, I wonder? I honestly believed he had been stabbed in the leg because of how realistic and useful the prosthetics appeared! How did the makeup artist do it, I wonder? Please ask us those questions once you have them so we can ask them.

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