Thursday, July 11th
Written by Project Comms member Kevin L.
Introduction
BCNY alumnus, actor, and director of In Search of Bengali Harlem, Alaudin Ullah, joined Project Comms members as a special guest to talk about pursuing the arts, film, and his upbringing in East Harlem with The Boys’ Club.
From Humble Backgrounds
Growing up in East Harlem, Alaudin found safety and comfort in hip-hop, since its raw energy connected to his feelings of rebellion. He initially rejected his Bengali roots because it made him feel like he didn’t belong in his school community. He hung out with graffiti artists, and through these experiences, he learned that anything is possible: “just because they don’t welcome you doesn’t mean you’re not welcome.”
He eventually joined The Boys’ Club of New York, which he described as a “safe place and a place of positivity.” Throughout his time at BCNY, Alaudin became an enthusiastic young man who never gave up and wanted to express himself to the world. He was influenced by the inclusive, exciting, and supportive community created by BCNY that fostered continuous improvement and growth. BCNY changed his negative view of isolation, introduced him into a community of friends, and shaped who he is today.
Alaudin started his career working with Chris Rock as a comedian. He moved to LA later and started showing interest in writing, particularly directing, because it provided him an opportunity to tell stories about himself, his unique journey through life, and his Bangladeshi-Puerto Rican origins. He continues to direct many productions on representation, such as In Search of Bengali Harlem (2022), which explores the “intertwined histories of South Asian Muslims, Puerto Ricans, and African Americans” through his parents, who were trying the best they could to support him.
Film as Language
Alaudin emphasized that film is a language – a language and a collaboration that focuses on a story that a director helps to paint in the audience’s mind. He also expressed the importance of each person in a film: from the writers in New York to animators and videographers in Los Angeles, “each [person] brings something special to a room.” When Alaudin gave an example, Do the Right Thing, directed by Spike Lee and captured by cinematographer Ernest Dickerson, he referred to the camera as a paintbrush. He agreed with these talented artists that film is an experimental procedure – that it takes experimentation to get the right frame, and “when you look at a frame, you can put poetry in that frame.” Another example he referred to was SpongeBob, an animated television show created by Nickelodeon animators in California. Each person involved contributed something valuable to the creation of these films. Project Comms members used lessons from previous workshops to incorporate Alaudin’s lessons on storytelling in digital media. They learned that the essence of storytelling is to convey an idea that effectively reaches an audience.
Inspiration
Alaudin inspired members to create success for themselves by having a strong social circle, taking the time to improve, not giving up, and enjoying the work that members do, stating that “if you love something, it’s not work.” He said that while pursuing something with passion is important, members must also pursue their passions with a strategy. This includes being unique, connecting with the right people, and always looking for opportunities.
Connection
Members enjoyed their time with Alaudin, learning about his work as a director and pursuing a film career. The knowledge members gained will help them throughout Project Comms as they explore digital storytelling. As Alaudin said, “The world is in your hands. You can do whatever you want, but you got to tell the story…”