Meet Aby Rao | Visual Storyteller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aby Rao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aby, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
So, imagine this: I’m kind of like a semi-impulsive idea generator. Ideas just pop into my head like it’s their natural habitat. And you know what? If I get those good vibes about an idea, I’m all in, ready to make it happen. But here’s the secret sauce – I live by two life principles. First, the idea shouldn’t break the bank. Second, it shouldn’t be a marathon; we’re talking weeks, not months.

I treat every project, whether it’s personal or business, like it’s on a trial run. It’s got to meet my criteria. If it’s taking forever or draining my wallet, I’m not afraid to hit the brakes or pull the plug. It’s all about keeping things snappy and within the vibe – if it takes off in those crucial weeks, then we’re onto the next big challenge!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Alright, buckle up for the lowdown on my art – it’s like a wild ride through real-life stories that just grab me by the creative soul. I’ve got this magnetic pull toward migration tales, the quest for home, and those sweet childhood vibes in a foreign land. Think Tibetans, Russians, Indians, Montagnard, Karen people from Myanmar, Hispanics, Argentinians, Cambodians, Thai, Liberians, Sri Lankans, and Japanese – yeah, I’m basically on a world tour without leaving my home studio.

I’m not just into the stories; I’m head over heels for the whole package – the food, the culture, the customs, you name it. The cool thing? The deeper I dive, the more I realize we’re all vibing on some universal wavelength. It’s like finding a secret handshake between my culture and every other one out there. Film is my go-to canvas, but hey, I’m up for a dance with digital art – always open to new flings, you know?

And here’s the kicker – there are whole communities I haven’t even scratched the surface of. If I had seven lives, I’d still be running short on immigrant tales. But hey, that won’t stop me. I’m on a mission to sling stories your way that aren’t getting the spotlight in mainstream media. It’s all about those everyday heroes living lives that are nothing short of extraordinary. Let’s keep this journey rolling!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Let me spill the tea on the coolest spots around Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill – my personal faves that you gotta check out:

NC Museum of Art: This place is an art lover’s dream. It’s like a global art expedition right in our backyard. Blessing, right?

Transplanting Traditions Community Farm: Forget your typical farm vibes. This place is all about supporting food sovereignty in the refugee crew. They’re rocking land, education, and opportunities for these awesome refugee farmers. It’s like farming dreams come true.

Liberation Station: Hold up, folks – this is North Carolina’s OG Black-owned children’s bookstore. Just popped up in Raleigh, and it’s been a game-changer since the 2019 pop-up. Let’s hear it for diversity on the bookshelves!

M Restaurants: Get ready for a taste bud party! M Restaurants are the real deal – from melt-in-your-mouth sashimi to Korean street food vibes, you can’t afford to miss out on this culinary journey.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So, let me spill the beans on what gets my creative juices flowing – it’s all about capturing the immigrant and refugee experience. Whether I’m cooking up a documentary, spinning a narrative film, or diving into digital art, it’s all a love letter to those unique stories. I’ve been soaking up the American vibe for more than two decades now, and let me tell you, it’s been a wild ride from Urbana-Champaign to Raleigh.

Along the way, I’ve bumped into a gazillion cool folks – artists, filmmakers, writers, storytellers, you name it. Listing them all would take forever, but here’s the deal – being in the U.S., this melting pot of awesomeness, has been a schooling in itself. The best part? I get to tell the tales of immigrants, meet fascinating souls, and ride this wave of diversity. Shoutout to non-profits, libraries, museums, theaters – they’ve all been my hype squad, keeping the fire alive. And you bet, I’m strapping in for more of this rollercoaster journey!

Website: http://vervefilms.com/

Image Credits
Sorng Buntoum, Alex Harris