I. Hi! We’re happy to have you with us. First thing’s first, can you slate for us please?
“I’m Artie… Well, erm… Can I take that again? I promised I would try and sound professional, but I’m already failing. My name is Arjun, but I go by Art. Art Bhatt. I’m twenty six years old. I guess I use he/him pronouns when I’m not being called the gender neutral title of ‘hey, kid,’ and I’m a Special Effects Technician at Vanguard Entertainment. People are always telling me I look like Dev Patel, but I’m pretty sure they just think all Indians look alike.”
II. It’s great to meet you. So you have to know that everyone’s been curious about you, why don’t we start with where you’re from? Tell us where you grew up and what your childhood and family were like.
“I actually grew up in Los Angeles. My older sister is a doctor, and my little sister is practically a musical prodigy, so, ah, you can probably guess my parents are less than thrilled that their son plays with fake blood for a living. My grandparents are more supportive, but I’m pretty sure that’s because they don’t like my sister’s husband. My grandfather told me I was his revenge for all the shit my dad put them through. I guess I’ve always been the problem child. When I was a kid I used to fill balloons up with red jello, and throw them off the edge of the stairwell. I wanted to make it look like I pushed my little sister off the handrail… Not that I wanted to, you know, like, actually hurt her… Alright… If it wasn’t obvious, I didn’t have a lot of friends outside of my favorite movie monsters.”
III. Well, they say our upbringing molds who we become. I’m sure that you got your reputation for being (3 +/- traits) from that.
+ meticulous, assiduous, genial - quixotic, obsequious, ingratiating
IV. And what about that lead you to your current career? How did that impact you enough to want to do what you do now?
“This is just always what I wanted to do. I don’t remember when it started, but I used to sneak into R rated movies all the time after school. I would tell my parents I was in chess club or some shit, but really I was stealing popcorn. I spent my greasy teenage years working at a knockoff blockbuster, but I think what really did it was seeing those dogs split in half in The Thing. It was just so… Gross. I was obsessed with that movie. I’d say ‘art should disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed’, but I’m pretty sure that’s just the live laugh love of edgy artists.”
V. That’s awesome. I’m sure our readers will love to hear that. So you knew you had a calling, what came next? How did you get yourself to Hollywood? What was your first job?
“Believe it or not I was pre-med before I dropped out to work on my hobby full time, but I was miserable at school. I did okay, but I was going to school all day, then working full time third shift. I was fucking void and miserable like a Romero zombie. I got serious about my craft when one of my buddies asked me to make a fake cadaver for a student film he was a part of. It just kinda took off from there. I rented a shitty studio with my financial aid money to work in, to hide what I was doing from my parents. After a while I just stopped going to class, and started working on no budget projects until I earned an apprenticeship at an independent effects studio. When I told my parents about it they kicked me out. My mom cried. My dad said I broke her heart. Guess that’s what I get for trying to follow my dreams.”
VI. Of course, but we all know there’s a sea of faces out here trying to get famous as well, right? It must have been hard, the first few rejections or being told something wasn’t good enough. What was the most difficult thing you faced on your journey?
“It took a couple of years for Vanguard to take me on; actually, it was sheer dumb luck that I landed this job. This city is all about who you are, and who you know so I guess the hardest part has been that I’m a nobody who doesn’t know anybody. If I had a dollar for every time some jackass actor asked me to go get them a latte I could finance my own movies. I just try to keep my head down around the talent, and keep working hard at what I do best.”
VII. So then what was the moment that you realized you made it? Or are you still waiting for that moment?
“For people like me in the industry fame is a foreign concept. You’re either good, or you’re out of a job— that’s it. So the day I got the call from Vanguard it took every ounce of professionalism in my body not to shriek like a fan girl. I knew I made it the second they were interested enough in me to take the time to seek me out. Of course after the call was over I was practically squealing. Everyday I get to work on something I love is a day I’ve made it.” (1 - Bit Player)
VIII. It’s amazing when you make it far enough in this town when so many people end up giving up and going home, isn’t it? So now that you’re here, what’s next for you?
“One day I want to be a respected name in the industry, maybe make my own movies where I can truly dictate my ideas, but I won’t hold my breath. It’s already been a miracle that I’ve made it this far. I think a more reasonable goal would be to become a props master, maybe— maybe owning my own effects company. Who knows. Three years ago my goals were to get through medical school in one piece. Goals change, shit happens. All I can hope is I’ll be ready when it does.”
IX. Now we know it’s personal but we have to ask, do you have any comment about the rumors going around about you?
“HR pulled me aside the other day to ask me if I was homeless because someone saw me sleeping on the bus bench. I didn’t know whether to be embarrassed that someone caught me falling asleep and missing my bus, or if I should be offended that HR thinks it matters if I’m homeless. It’s all to keep up appearances. I’m not homeless, but I have been sleeping studio since my parents kicked me out. It’s cheaper than an apartment. I may have my dream job, but I’m definitely not making my dream pay.”
X. Thank you so much for talking to us today. Lastly, is there anything you want our readers to know about you?
“Um, wow, way to put me on the spot. Now I gotta think of something that makes me sound interesting. Well, I don’t just like making art with fake blood, latex, and CGI. I’ve always honed my skills with fine art. I can paint and draw, but sculpting is my favorite… Was that good? Oh, ah, I also love animals. I’ve been feeding this stray cat outside of my studio. He’s only got one ear and half a tail, but I’ve seen him take down a couple dumpster dogs.”
