Directing Actors, Screenwriting and the Art of Film Making - Saim Sadiq - Joyland -

Saim Sadiq is a Pakistani Screenwriter and Filmmaker, and the Director of Joyland, short-listed for the 2023 Oscars.
Saim comes back on The Pakistan Experience for a detailed discussion on film making, from writing scripts, to directing actors, on this deep dive podcast we discuss ideas for films, the Economics of Filmmaking, Casting, Joyland, the reception to Joyland and Editing Films.
The Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan through conversations.
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The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications.
shehzadghiasshaikh
Facebook.com/Shehzadghias/
Twitter.com/shehzad89
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
2:00 Screenwriting and ideas for Films
6:50 Mechanics of Writing a Movie and the Writing Process
15:12 The Economics of Film Making
26:00 Earlier Drafts of Joyland, Being Rejected and starting from a Short Film
30:00 Characters sounding or not sounding Punjabi
33:30 Directing Actors and working with Stars
44:00 Finding the right cast
50:13 Joyland Shooting Schedule and Finances
53:45 Editing and killing your darlings
58:00 Shooting Films and Shot lists
1:04:00 What did Saim want to explore with Joyland?
1:07:00 People reacting to the Film
1:12:00 Audience Questions

[@Jeet-2023]

An indian man here. There are only pakistani movies i have watched in my life and loved them both. Bol and Joyland. I think Pakistanis can do wonders in performing arts, and especially in the movies. Its a pity that they dont cherish movies as a society at large.

[@Indus720]

Movies are Haraam in Islam.

[@atokimruk937]

Ha ha. Salim Jeet.

[@MR.FlyingMonkey]

Tuh bataayga ki kya karna hai kya nahi karna 😂😂 Aukaat dekhi hai apni ! Apna face toh lagane ki aukaat nahi profile par ! Gawar kichcchar

[@TechForgeEmmad]

I'm so glad you finally did a piece on the experience of Filmmaking in Pakistan, I would like to add that sadly there is no Filmmaking Industry in Pakistan, most of us rely on Commercials to make ends meet. I wish there were more Films being made here.

[@JAli-gn1dd]

1:22:00 " ab tk sirf film making students sun rahe hn" True!

[@azmatali3823]

This podcast is kinda one hour workshop about filmmaking. Being a film enthusiast, really enjoyed it tho. He explained the technicalities of script writing, drafting, casting, camera, production, direction, and interactions with actors well. Really learned a lot. Would listen to this podcast again soon.

[@ThePakistanExperience]

🙌

[@pagan-540]

Sehzad had a superb interactive session in " The Black Hole ". Enjoyed much.

[@ThePakistanExperience]

🙌

[@dev_s21]

Hey, loved the podcast. Saim Sadiq is a babe. Totally in love with joyland. Can't wait to see what the future holds for him!

[@saad5187]

i've stayed till end shehzad! i'm not a filmmaking student, maybe I just love saim sadiq

[@ThePakistanExperience]

🙌

[@dev_s21]

Me toooooo

[@user-dv8sx3cn8z]

Im loving your channel. You invite fantastic guests.

[@ThePakistanExperience]

🙌

[@vishalv271]

Thank you for picking his beautiful mind. Can we expect a director's cut of Joyland ?

[@ThePakistanExperience]

🙌

[@irfanfaiza7079]

Hugest fan of Joyland - watched it at Museum of Fine Arts- in Houston and clapped all the way with standing ovation - felt so proud of seeing a diverse audience applauding a Pakistani movie -

[@mysticmiserly7732]

More interviews with such directors and the process of screenwriting. Lovely effort. Pls focus on more films , unknown in popular media

[@ThePakistanExperience]

🙌

[@zohaibshahid142]

As much as I appreciate the technical talk in this podcast, I really wish that Shahzad or any podcaster for that matter should request their guests to speak in Urdu or at least, a mix of English & Urdu. If not, at least put some subtitles in. This'll only help your podcast reach a wider audience who still don't see the point of podcasts.

[@honeyurfunny]

Movie urdu lekin conversation English mai kerni hai. Bollywood ish .👎👎

[@miralfatima]

I ve always wanted to listen to saim Sadiq ….thanks shahzad

[@ThePakistanExperience]

🙌

[@mismail4995]

Him and Charlotte Wells, my most anticipated sophomore films!

[@InDefenceOfSavarkar]

Loved Joyland I dont watch a lot of movies in general but I loved this one

[@ThePakistanExperience]

❤

[@TheDigitalGuru430]

Very informative. I wish we had 5 directors like him in Pakistan.

[@sibgharehman6291]

as someone intending to pursue film-making this was great, saim was elegant as always, miss the quirkiness of old days tho.

[@ThePakistanExperience]

❤️

[@asadabbaskhan6842]

Hey this podcast is great❤.do more podcasts with saim

[@ThePakistanExperience]

❤️

[@MunawarAzaad2025]

Lovely film,.lovely persons, lovely talk❤❤lovely show

[@ThePakistanExperience]

❤

[@fahadjawaid3569]

1:19:37 - agreed. Can you please call someone who can talk about Pakistani movies from 50s-80s. There were some really good social movies that were made. We used to watch them on PTV every Thursday. I think Faseeh bari khan or Saqib Malik would be the perfect people to talk about them

[@Jay78bhupats]

First positive person on the show may be after Uzair … this person is a gem.

[@saad5187]

yay saim sadiq!

[@ThePakistanExperience]

❤

[@nofi8783]

Dude im genuinely in love with joyland like gping out and watching the movie in karachi was such amazing experience so exited to watch this podcast

[@ThePakistanExperience]

🙌

[@YM-wp6me]

I am from india, heard a lot about the movie. Can’t wait to watch it. Any clue where can I find it ?

[@parikshetprabhakar8157]

He gay, and i just wanna know how is it being gay in pakistan. Also he is cute af! Saw him first time.

[@saad5187]

its not good being gay in this world, despite Pakistan. let me tell you that, also I agree he's cute. hehe!

[@DrStrange234]

🤢🤮🤮🤮😡 gae peopls

[@Pusk23]

​@@DrStrange234 Madrassachap

[@Funkaar23]

Being gay is bad as helll .... 😭

[@user-dv8sx3cn8z]

I only found out about this movie because of this video. :)

[@rizhas9008]

Sam Sadiq ,Why you didnot play the character of Ali Junajo yourself? You were perfect for it.

[@fahadjawaid3569]

1:20:10- You are a very loved person Saim 😍

[@user-dv8sx3cn8z]

Isn't Netflix a better platform for films rather than theatres? Specially as you say there aren't that many cinemas.

[@vm1059]

Honestly the tpe i personally love the most

[@ThePakistanExperience]

🙌

[@AsBi1]

I like Shehzad because he is very humble person.

[@fahadjawaid3569]

43:39 - lol so true.. always get your money for the work you have done.. this is such a refreshing podcast.. like a 90 min class on film making.. I absolutely love Saim sadiq and his work and he is looking so cute hot in this kurta shalwar :)

[@ThePakistanExperience]

🙌

[@AliTaqi-bf6pr]

I think if I listen to this person, my speaking skills will surely improve. Not interesting in the conversation but damn the guy can speak. 😅

[@saad5187]

can ya'll stalk and find out which "cool guy from the music industry" he's talking about?

[@sheryarahmed6331]

bhai AC chala diya karo guests keliye

[@ashishyadav3947]

Pakistan me AC bhi hai kya😂😅

[@sheryarahmed6331]

@@ashishyadav3947 hamaari gaandh me itna q ghuste ho tum log?

[@rizhas9008]

Lol sub kuch ha Pakistan mein.

[@saad5187]

IF anyone finds that seattle book, do tell me in comments!

[@mroy7]

The novel is called Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. He mentions the name in his interview with Anupama Chopra of Film Companion.

[@user-dv8sx3cn8z]

Not once did anyone mention Netflix. :S so strange.

[@alokranjan5410]

❤❤❤

[@ThePakistanExperience]

❤❤

[@pshivali]

Where can we watch joyland in India?

[@maddyzk]

Apple TV+

[@AdityaSharma-iu5en]

Mubi

[@dev_s21]

I think it's on prime but you have to rent it.

[@rizhas9008]

Salman Pirzada and Sania Saeed track was unnecessary..

[@mshabir917]

اس انتظار میں اینڈ تک دیکھی کہ اب یہ ٹیکنکل باتیں چھوڑیں گے اب چھوڑیں گے😅😢

[@MubashirKhushk]

Bhai Urdu me krty to Comfortable ho jata.😒❤️

[@imamfaiz9008]

Imam Mahdi Muhammad Qasim has seen in many dreams that Imran Khan will struggle and fail in Pakistan despite his best efforts. Learn why Imam Mahdi Muhammad Qasim’s dreams are now coming true and what is the message for Pakistan and Islam. #muhammadqasimdreams

[@AshishKumar-gj9cq]

Shahzad I have an idea You should try to grab indian audience too to talk about indian stuff😊

[@dev_s21]

No, it's just cheap and disrespectful to do something India related just for the same sake of numbers and engagement. I'm glad he's not doing that

[@Indus720]

@@dev_s21 His every third show is related to India and anti India propaganda.

[@isloooo]

Pakistani Karan johar

[@ahmedwaleed9289]

A confused writer, another rich lad wants to share his fantasy.

[@randomuser8881]

😭😭😭😂😂😂

[@Saifullah-kl2kx]

Vulgars

[@Indian_christan_jesus_is_king]

Lagta hain palestine 🇵🇸💀 khatam ho gaya???

[@Pusk23]

Palestine aur kashmir ka obsession unending hai.. 😂😂

[@Alchemist523]

Ab gay logon ko b support kray ga ..shame

[@contrarian322]

Sharam Aapko Karni chahiye. Insaan hone ka farz to nibhao pehle