India R. Guy - Film Maker - Music Video Director

In 2007 not much has really changed in the past ten years as far as the "Business" is concerned. It’s still the same "business never personal" attitude as the layoffs spread like a disease. Recently Rapcapital.com came across a short film by India R. Guy titled "Shadows of My Conscience", starring Jason Farouk. In this short film its something almost everyone can relate to when facing their inner demons in a quest to succeed in this cold world .On a humid May day rapcapital.com took time to holla at India herself.

India thanks for taking time out of your schedule to chop it up with Rapcapital.com.

No doubt, it’s my pleasure, and thanks for having me.

Let’s start with this ... how did the idea for your film "Shadows of My Conscience" come about?

Actually, it was a school project, which had to be less than 10 minutes long and with no dialogue, using a super 8mm camera. The idea started with me thinking about shadows lurking behind corners and thinking about the worst thing
that could happen to me at that point in my life. After that, the rest of the story just kind of fell into place.

Has the response been as you thought it would be or is it a surprise seeing how many people can relate?

Oh man, it’s a huge surprise! I figured that my family and friends would like it, but I never expected for it to blow like this. It’s a real story so I’d hoped that others would relate to it, and I’m glad that so many different types of people have given it a good response. But the
response was totally unexpected.
At the same time I always put my all into everything that I do, whether big or small, so it's very much appreciated.

In the film there's a part where Jason gets rejected by numerous jobs and he slowly goes down the food chain to take anything that will pay the bills. How important was it for you to show Jason trying all his options before entering a life of crime?

I like how you put that "slowly down the food chain", lol that's exactly what it was! But to answer your question it was very important, because this is what happens to most people who turn to a life of crime. Most people start out wanting to live an honest good life, but after so many rejections and so many blows to your self esteem, and then seeing your homeboy with money in his pockets and the hottest car, it’s easy to get caught up in that lifestyle. I wanted to show that he didn't just wake up one morning and decide to sell drugs but that many things lead him to it.

What made you want to have Jason find a note at the end stating there's a meeting? What other options were you thinking for the end?

Well first off, I'm obsessed with dreams, lol, and I wanted to make the story come full circle by ending the daydream with the thing that started it. Also, I wanted to use both color and black and white super 8mm film so I figured that the editing from black and white to color would go perfect with it being a bright pink note.
I had plenty other endings but one of them was for Jason to be shot by a rival drug dealer to wake him up out of the daydream, but that made the story a little too cliché©, so I decided not to go with the shooting thing, plus I figured more people would be able to accept it, without the use
of that kind of violence. Also, I didn’t really want to be on the street with a real looking gun, and black men in hoodies, you know how that could've turned out!

What made you choose the music of Kanye West and the classic Wu Tang Cream record?

I wanted the audience to feel the enthusiasm and ambition that the Kanye West song gives before getting hit with such a hard blow like being fired. Because it's such an uplifting song, I felt that the impact of getting fired would be even harsher. Editing is all about drawing the audience in, and that was just the perfect song for it. I also used that song at the end because I felt that after it brings your spirit back up at the end along with watching the blooper reel.

I use to listen to that song everyday, while walking past the Trump International sign that Jason walks by in the beginning of the movie, it got me motivated for my work day.

The Wu Tang song I had in mind when I started the whole editing process. The lyrics, along with the beat and pacing of the song emphasized the change in Jason's character perfectly. The song actually eliminated the need for dialogue.

The Busta Rhymes song, just kind of fell into place as I was in the editing process, and fit perfectly.

Are we going to see a sequel?

Not necessarily a sequel, but Jason and I were actually talking about doing a prequel just recently. Lol. However, I may expand on the story to make it a full length feature in the future. We'll see.

Your production company is Diamond in the Ruff Productions ... what made you choose that name?

Actually, I chose the name because of the Jaheim song “Diamond in da Ruff”. The phrase means something that may seem like an ordinary rock, but what's inside is a brilliant beautiful diamond. I felt that it described me and what I stand for. Raw talent, uncut and unpolished.

Do you have any other past projects or anything in the future coming up the viewers should know about?

Look out for a couple of music videos I directed: "Walk Where I Walk" by Showtime, "Gotta Be The Magic" by Livin Proof, and "You Know What's Up" by BK Nitti coming out this summer! My short film "Never Judge..." which should be out by the end of the year! And also look out for my new bi-weekly series, "Diamond in the Ruff TV" on public access TV in the fall - broadcasting independent music videos, artists, filmmakers, and a couple of old school videos thrown in for fun.

What were your influences to get into the film industry?

Spike Lee, watching bad films and videos that I felt I could have done better, being addicted to videos as a teenager, and always wanting to know how many people was in the room besides the actors! But honestly, I knew this was wanted I wanted to do since I was 13, I wrote it in a friend's yearbook! lol.

What's the best film you saw all year?

The Pursuit of Happyness, was a good one. It made me cry because it hit so close to home. Being that I am a single parent, trying to survive, that film motivates me to keep going.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?

I would like for Diamond in the Ruff Productions to be running Hollywood. But realistically, I see myself as a well-known director on the music video scene for major label artists, winning an award at Sundance or Cannes film festival for "Never Judge...", and shopping my first feature length film to distribution companies for release in theatres.

On your business card it says you are available for film and video works… have you ever been approached for any music videos or biographies?

Definitely! I wrote, directed, shot and edited three music videos, two DVD's, and one EPK (electronic press kit).

We get asked all the time by our viewers and upcoming artists of a good video person to work with and we are confident to recommend you to handle there project. What do you think you can bring to the table that a lot of other films or video projects lack?

Creativity, style, originality, dedication, and meaningful interesting concepts that make sense! Oh, and don't forget the laughs, I'm serious about my blooper reels!

It was good talking to you and watching "Shadows Of My Conscience”. We hope to see more in the future. In closing give any shout outs, fu's anything you feel you want the RapCap viewers to know.

First off, I'd like to say thanks a lot to Rap Capital for taking the time to interview and get to know me, keep doing your thing, I love the website.

I want to give a shout out to everyone that helped me in the making of the film. My AD Tiffany Guy who always holds me down with the film projects. My actors: J. Leon, M. Harris, Sheik, Crunk, Young, and most of all, my star actor Jason Farouk for holding me down like no other. Big shoutout to the fam, my brother Young, Fahrenhight Records, Heavy Promotion and Guylorson, WE TAKIN OVER!!!! Last but not least my mom and dad for always holding me down, and my daughter for being the inspiration that motivates me to touch the sky!!! FU to anyone who tries to stand in the way of my progression to the top. To everyone else, hit me up for all film and video projects!!!



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