Spending a significant amount of time abroad has taught Redza Taib a myriad of valuable skills and lessons in his chosen field—the film industry, writes Tien Chew

A bridge is a structure that connects two things together, physical or otherwise. Redza Taib is an individual that possesses characteristics similar to this binding structure, having been born a Malaysian but lived overseas in the United States for a better part of his life. He counts himself lucky to have been exposed to two different worlds, the very fast paced modern world of the western culture and the slower and more traditional Asian lifestyle.

He spent his tertiary education studying all aspects of filmmaking at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles for two and a half years, a result of his passion for the art. After finishing film school, he stayed in America to pursue his career in film production. His first production job in Los Angeles, a city notorious for its difficulty to break into the film industry, impacted him profoundly.

As Redza explains,  “I learnt that it doesn’t matter who you are or what background you come from, you are only as good as the work and time you put in. That is how you are judged. Not whose son you are and what last name you carry. In the US, anybody can get the opportunity to do something with his or her life as long as they are willing to work hard and smart.”

Discipline was the first cornerstone principle that allowed Redza to thrive to greater heights in the film industry. Some of the most notable projects he has worked on in America include being a production assistant in music videos of bands and singers such as The Killers and Justin Bieber, along with a show that needs no introduction—The Oprah Winfrey Show.

After living abroad for a long time, he decided it was time to return home.

“In 2011, when I flew back to celebrate my sister’s birthday in Honolulu, I spent two weeks with my parents and it dawned on me that my dad was not getting any younger. Perhaps it was time I came home to spend some quality time with my parents and have no regrets later,” said Redza.

He believes they are his major source of inspiration, always giving him the push he needs or teaching him important life principles. While his sister (Katrina Taibs) also serves as a great inspiration when it comes to reaching for the stars, his biggest motivation as of late comes in the form of his beautiful baby daughter, as he aims to give her the same blessings he received.

Redza’s laid-back personality and easygoing nature makes him an uncomplicated individual that most people can get along with. Don’t let his relaxed demeanour fool you though, as his mind is always alert. His combination of perception, talent and sociability has ensured his continuous success even after coming back to Malaysia.

Since his return, he has worked for the government at the Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia (National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia) otherwise known as Finas. His responsibility included promoting Malaysia’s 30 per cent cash rebate to all film producers and film markets worldwide, which is an incentive to boost the film industry.

He has since moved on to work for Biscuit Films, a successful foreign film production support services based in KL. Although he does a little bit of everything within the company, Redza mainly deals with the production of all the international commercials. Here, he has been exposed to many big international projects that have chosen to shoot their films in Malaysia. His success in his chosen field can also be attributed to his sense of empathy.

“I’m very sensitive to people’s feelings and like my dad, I don’t judge or have any pre-conceived ideas about others,” says Redza with candour. 

 

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