Young Zimbabwean Filmmaker Makes It In Hollywood

Written by Global Editor  //  April 25, 2012  //  Profiles  //  No comments

Admire Simbarasi

“Allan Wilson High School taught me a lot. That school was a technical school, which i benefited tremendously  from” says Admire Simbarasi, owner  of Pro Digital Media, a company that works on low budget films in California, USA.  We recently caught up with the busy  entrepreneur soon after his arrival from an overseas trip to find out how it all begun.

Admire went to Allan Wilson High School in Harare, Zimbabwe. He was brilliant in the Sciences and his parents knew exactly what he should become: a Dentist.

He enrolled into Dental School in North Carolina, USA but  after completing half the course, he dropped out. Not because he performed badly. Not because he had no funds, but because he was depressed. He did not enjoy Dental School. It was not his calling. He was living to please his parents and fulfill their dreams, not his. He wanted to go to Film School. That was what he wanted to do.

He enrolled to study Cinematography at Brooks Institute in California for 4 years.

During his program, he landed an intern opportunity for Jay Leno in 2002 as a Production Assistant. But because he was still in school, the only time he could work was late at night.

He then managed to intern again thereafter for Dreamworks with Steven Spielberg and worked on the movie “The Terminal” featuring Tom Hanks.

Thereafter, Admire worked again with Steven Spielberg as a Trainee Director on the movie ” War Of The Worlds” starring Tom Cruise.

By the time that he graduated from college in 2006, Admire had gained enough experience to start his own company, Pro Digital Media  which works on music videos, low budget films,commercials, editing, special effects and testings.

He employs 15 full time employees, but when it comes to projects, he adds an additional 60 contract workers.

He is happy. He made the right decision and encourages fellow African Entrepreneurs to do what they have a passion for.

“Initially you will see no money. But if you love what you do and stick to it, money eventually comes ”  advises Admire.

How can you make it too if  you are a filmmaker or aspiring to be one?  Admire recommends that you take advantage of the ease that the internet has made doing business.

Take advantage of  YouTube. Be original. Do not run with the pack. Break out and be original. NBC  spends a good time on YouTube looking for the next best thing. You could be what they are looking for !