Meet Myles Yaksich | Writer and Director

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

Hi Myles, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is an inherent and unavoidable part of life. Whether I look back at my days in banking or think of where I’m at now in the entertainment industry, risk has played an integral role in the way I consider opportunity. The moves I’ve made that have advanced my career the most, for example leaving my previous career in financing to carve out a niche in the entertainment industry, would probably be considered ‘risky’.

I believe the old adage, ‘high risk, high reward’. However, I also believe risks can be calculated, mitigated and ultimately used as a tool to build a career path – it’s important to develop a trust in oneself to know when to take the risk and when to act with caution.

Generally speaking, I tend to play by the rules and within the boundaries – and it’s a constant struggle to balance a fairly conservative upbringing with my passionate nature. That being said, I am a strong proponent of hard-work and preparation, which not only provide a cushion for when risks don’t pay off, but also wings for when the stars align and the risk I’ve taken payoff, enabling one to soar.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am hands on from conception of each idea through production, post-production, all the way until the first people buy tickets to watch the film.

This has ultimately helped shape my voice as a story teller. Through my work, I explore human experience on a global scale, with a particular focus on the complexity of self-discovery through interactions with strangers. Living abroad for more than a decade has undoubtedly informed my work, whether it be the grieving workaholic who searches for answers in the elderly passenger beside him (“Poppies”), or the young academic who questions his sexuality after an intimate pen-pal relationship (“Erin”). My films tap into universal themes that expand the definitions of home, family and belonging. My feature debut, “Albatross”, is a progression along this trajectory. Through a unique perspective and interest in stories about societal groups establishing roots, I contrast progress and tradition throughout the narrative.

Film Festivals are also an important element of the filmmaking process for two primary reasons. Firstly, they provide some validation and ultimately connect filmmakers with agents, managers, sales agents and distributors. Secondly, they provide a safe space for networking with other filmmakers. A common expression in entertainment revolves around the idea of ‘finding your tribe.’ And it is by finding like minded creatives, that we are able to push ourselves, grow and further develop as artists.

Collectively, “Albatross”, “Erin” and “Poppies” have screened around the world at over 40 festivals (including premieres at the Academy Qualifying LA Shorts Fest), which have not only resulted in accolades (receiving over 30 awards including Best Writer, Best Director and Best Film), but also an ever-expanding network of other filmmakers. Most recently, “Albatross” premiered at the prestigious Sedona International Film Festival, receiving the Director’s Choice Indie Spirit Award for Best Narrative Feature.

Although building this life has been challenging, it’s also been incredibly fun and validating. Persistence is imperative to overcome some of these challenges, after-all this industry is a marathon not a sprint. If you think about an ice-burg, most people only see the portion above the water, but do not appreciate the immense portion below the surface (or the amount of work that goes into success). I also think it’s important to find other outlets, physical activity, time in nature and socializing with friends to recharge my battery.

You can learn more about the films and sign up for our mailing list on our website (www.harbourviewpictures.com), or by following our:

Albatross Instagram: @albatross_film
Erin Instagram: @erinshortfilm
Poppies Instagram: @poppiesfilm
Personal Instagram / Twitter: @mylesyaksich

We look forward to sharing more stories with you!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a transplant to LA (I’m originally from Hamilton, Canada), some of my favorite places are also touristic. That being said, I’d recommend a drive along the PCH toward Malibu, a visit to the Getty Museum, and Korean BBQ at Genwa. For a nice night out, I suggest getting cocktails at Sunset Tower and then move to either Cecconi’s or Mother Wolf for dinner. If visiting in the spring, try to drive inland and see the overwhelmingly beautiful super-bloom of wildflowers.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Something fundamental to my belief system is that individual success is ultimately the result of the collective, which makes choosing just one person a challenge. Film is a collaborative process, and I would not be where I am today without the love and encouragement form my family, team and friends.

Website: www.harbourviewpictures.com

Instagram: @mylesyaksich, @albatross-film, @poppiesfilm, @erinshortfilm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myles-yaksich-1bb04611?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Twitter: @mylesyaksich