Yesterday, award-winning filmmaker and IGS Alum Naysan Baghai returned to IGS to share insights into his latest film, Diving Into The Darkness. The special session, attended by Year 10 Drama and Film Studies students along with aspiring filmmakers from Years 11 and 12, took place in the Drama Theatre.
During his presentation, titled Making The Impossible Possible: Behind The Scenes Of Diving Into The Darkness, Baghai captivated students by walking them through the creative and technical journey of the film. He began by introducing the film’s concept, showcasing its trailer, and discussing the inspiration behind the backstory. He detailed the scriptwriting process, explaining the careful planning required for such a unique and challenging film.
A key takeaway was the importance of having deep knowledge and experience in the subject matter of a film. Baghai emphasised that to tell a compelling story, filmmakers must be fluent in the field they’re documenting. This understanding proved invaluable during the challenging filming process in Mexico and New Zealand, where cave diving sequences pushed the crew to their limits. Despite the extreme nature of the shoots, Baghai noted that editing was easily the hardest part of the entire production—remarking, “If you think cave diving is harder than editing, think again.”
He also spoke candidly about the role of failure in filmmaking, sharing that his journey was filled with setbacks. Yet, he stressed the importance of flexibility, attention to detail, and teamwork, while also highlighting the self-reliance required to succeed in the industry. “Why on earth would you do this?” he asked, before answering his own question with a reflection on his accomplishments and his love for the craft.
A masterclass followed, where Baghai delved into key production elements such as storyboarding, shot lists, and the various roles and dynamics on set. He fielded questions about the relationship between a cinematographer and a director, offering insights from his own experiences.
The session concluded with Baghai reflecting on how IGS sparked his passion for filmmaking, even before his formal education at AFTRS. He left the students with a message about perseverance and creativity, two qualities essential to any filmmaker’s journey.
Year 12 Drama student Ellie, whose Individual Major Work for Drama was a short film, spoke to the significance of the session: “As Naysan said, IGS really fostered his love for filmmaking. As a Drama student here with a passion for filmmaking, seeing how far he’s come in this industry, I feel so privileged to hear from someone who started exactly where I started.”
Students left the presentation inspired, having gained a deeper understanding of the complexities behind producing a documentary of such scale.