SAFAII
CREATIIVE
PORTFOLIO
Annotated Bibliography & Artifacts
The series of images and text contains stories about each portfolio piece. Upon finding what interests you most, simply click the image and it will take you to the content itself. If you spend enough time to hit the bottom, feel free to contact me at any time. When looking for the participants in these projects, simply hover over "credits" to see the list of wonderful crew members.
Independent
2022 - Ongoing
Mentioned or featured on
Personal Project
01
EXISTENCE IN SILENCE
Existence In Silence is "vlogumentary" style production that takes place all over the United States and is soon to be abroad. It's a series that takes on America's most historically tragic, mysterious, conspiratorial, and spiritual locations in the country. It is produced, directed, and recorded all on my own. As of current, it is still a consistent production that is ongoing without an end in sight. As of right now, the fourth season is being produced and is titled "Terra Pecatum."
This independent production provides evidence of my consistency, passion, priceless knowledge of planning, priceless production experience, conducting interviews, on-the-spot safety awareness, newly inventive creativity, and representation accountability. These are some of the few most significant aspects of what was learned from this massive project.
02
SOUP AND THE BREAD SCRIPT
"Soup and the Bread" Script is a story is a carefully crafted story that was created to convey a story of true tragedy. The story was meant to capture the life and intent of Wiccan/Pigeon culture in a fantastical and metaphorical approach. It is referenced to take place during the Salem Witch Trials of early established America when witches were seen as a danger to society.
This script was the first, but most important script I have ever written due to the level of responsibility that was given to me as a director and writer for an official production. This was the first time I learned many important philosophical lessons throughout the filmmaking process: safety being number one, acknowledging the importance of crew responsibilities, and completing a story to its full integrity. It was professionally overseen by one of the only two "Artists in Residence" processors at the University of Washington.
2023, Winter
Independent
Visualizing Absurdity
Credits
2023, Winter
Areeg Ahmed, Walter Arias, Jonathan Cao, Michal Gamble, Skylar Gaub, Anthony Gomez, Aishmin Gulati, Hannah Kemp, Jin Lei, Allison Limargo, Huan Nguyen, Dawson Pratt, Jade Roque, Marchie Sayas, Anthony Safai.
Visualizing Absurdity
03
SOUP AND THE BREAD
In coordination with the script, it was time to bring the writing to life. Soup and the Bread took inspiration from the roots of the "German expressionism" genre as well as using children's book-style aesthetic techniques. Although there had to be slight changes in shortening the story, in the end, the production team and I managed to make something generously artistic.
This film is extremely significant to my criteria of experiences. Not only was I able to lead the crew to create a genre that can be very difficult to visualize due to its out-of-date implications, but we managed to complete it in a school that has no trace of any financial dependency for the art department. Looking back at this project, I still find it hard to believe that we somehow managed to complete something that is very advanced given the circumstances.
04
INK
Upon watching "Ink," you will find yourself immersed in a world that takes place in a dystopian future where art has become illegal. In such a world, a character realizes what has been missing in his life, but the consequences may become dire. Alone, heartbroken, and empty is the best way you can his experience it.
Being the assistant director, actor, editor, and cinematographer for the beach exterior, I will say that this project does well in demonstrating my consistent behavior in always being the one to count on for a film. It is significant to proving reliability in me as a crew member no matter the most dramatic, dangerous, and stressful of situations. This project proved to everyone that I was capable of a lot more than simple creative outlooks, but rather capable of providing and incorporating my knowledge for the success of the team.
Credits
2023, Spring
O'Shun Stori,Aaron Chau, Amar Goyal-Visairo, Jessica Alter, Ryan Olsen, Nour Currie, Anthony Safai.
Competitive Filmmaking
Credits
2018, Winter
Bailie Ellwell, Hadly Nyber, Marisol Silva, Anthony Safai
Introduction to Film Studies
05
DROWN
Watch closely as you begin to recognize the phobia of losing your child as a parent. As a father comes to the beach to take his child out to play in the sands after a long day of work, he wakes up to one of the most terrifying situations that could ever happen to a parent. Is it actually happening? Or was it all just a simple nightmare?
"Drown" is the first film project I have ever been part of regarding film-making. This short film holds close to my heart because it paved the way for me to become the visualizer I am now. Its significance regards the quality within the roots of my career. The project was later used by the professor as an example of what students should strive for in future courses. It demonstrates the importance of meaning and purpose in my projects.
06
CREATIVITY, AN A.I. ANALYSIS
This project is a refreshing video essay that answers the question of whether or not A.I. image generation programs such as MidJourney and DALLE - 2 can have an effect on the media job ecosystem. The video essay contains a lot of peer-reviewed information and articles that may be useful when drawing such a conclusion. It is insightful when understanding the threat of AI, but the viewer should always come to their own conclusions.
This project focuses on my editing techniques when it comes to professional video editing. Taking apart this topic helped me develop something visually compelling. It is also significant for the sake of self-awareness: As I keep myself up to date with these new advancements in media, so will my knowledge and flexibility in creating media will be. Therefore, this project is a prime example of my openness to such approaches.
Credits
2022, Spring
Josie Chung, Anthony Safai
Visual Communications
Credits
2023, Winter
Adam Safai, Anthony Safai
Visualizing Absurdity
07
BLACKHILL ST.
"Blackhill St." is a quick short film of a man running for his life from an axe murderer. It is meant to give the audience a quick scare as well as providing an intense experience. Questioning its conclusion becomes prevalent after pressing the replay button so many times.
Minus the quick story itself, the true purpose of this short film was to give a clear demonstration of the knowledge I have of cinematography and composition understanding. This project allowed me to figure out ways in which I can incorporate intensity within composition and use it to my advantage.
08
GLITTER TEARS
Submitted to several film festivals in Belgium, Seattle, and other upcoming locations; "Glitter Tears" is a story that takes place following a troubled character who goes on a journey to find her true self. Every character is meant to be a portrayal of an intense version of her self-doubt, pity, anger, self-consciousness, and fear. Glitter Tears was one of the most ambitious, largest, and labor-inducing art projects The University of Washington has ever seen in 30 years. it was an act of just how fierce and comprehensive students can be when we had nothing but an idea and a camera.
Contributing 40 - 50 hours a week, I can personally say that my contribution to this film was inhuman. Its vicious production needed my spot as the assistant director, as well as helping take limited roles in the editing process, acting, set design/development, and camera work. I have full confidence in saying that "Glitter Tears" is a testament to just how successful production can be when Safaii is there for the vision. It is a massively significant piece to my portfolio because it shows a level of capability, responsibility, and leadership unlike any other.
Credits
2023, Spring
Jessica Alter, Natalie Alvis, Ezra Bantu, Aaron Chau, Jose Cuevas-Lopez, Devon Doheny, Carolina Gomez, Amar Goyal-Visairo, SeongMin Lee, Melisa Lopez, Ryan Olsen, Dawson Pratt, O'Sun Stori, Masahiro Sugano, Anthony Safai.
Competitive Filmmaking
Independent
2023, Spring
Documentary Photography
09
DINOSAUR TEETH
"When I was young, I used to go to the beach and climb these massive trees. I used to think they were dinosaur teeth." - Jeffro Uitto. "Dinosaur Teeth" was a passion photography project that took place in the remote area of Tokeland, WA. It was a long ongoing project that follows an extremely famous driftwood artist named Jeffro Uitto. It's a tribute to the process of artistic creation, self-sustained artists, and artists of the Tokeland area. In this case, the focus was on Jeffro as I followed him watching his daily life as an artistic icon.
This photo essay not only represents my storytelling techniques through the lens of imagery, but it speaks for my integrity and commitment to both assigned and unassigned projects. Although the course required me to do a "photo essay" I had already planned on doing this specific project for some time now. Its significance to my portfolio presents important skills I have with documentary photography.
10
GARDENS AND GRAVES PROLOGUE
This is a fantasy novel that enraptures structured imagination at its finest. Though there is much work to be done, I will only be releasing the prologue to the public as a means of containing my secretive nature regarding the project. It is part of a five-book series. Immerse yourself as your eyes rest upon the ink of these dark world-inspired pages.
This project is important in recognizing my level of writing. Although I still undoubtedly need more experience, I won't stop writing when it comes to storytelling and this project is an example of that passion. In a way, the significance of this project also presents world-building experiences.
2019 - Ongoing
Independent
Personal Project
Credits
2023, Winter
Hannah Kemp, Huan Nguyen, Jade Roque, Adam Safai, Anthony Safai
Visualizing Absurdity
11
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS
"Follow the Instructions:" is a short film that captures the struggle of a businessman, scientist, artist, and construction worker as they attempt to build a sandcastle. They begin to realize that they cannot do it without reconnecting to their inner child.
This project was fairly difficult to fulfill due to its editing process. It's significant to my portfolio because it's an example of my specific editing techniques and styles. Without this project, I wouldn't have been able to put together montages as well as I do now. It has also taught me how to do on-the-spot planning. Due to all of the actor's problematic schedules, I managed to individually record them on different days while still being able to present a cohesive and entertaining short.
12
CANDID PHOTOGRAPHY OF DEFUNDED EDUCATION PROTEST
For this project: I was assigned to take a far, medium, and close shots in my photography course. Looking for something more meaningful, I wanted to attempt to find an important event taking place in Seattle for the sake of trying out photojournalism in its truest form. a week later and arriving before the local news, I find myself in the middle of an important protest taking place at a Seattle college where students and teachers peacefully protest for the right to better education funding. The following pictures tell the story of this event.
There are two important unique factors that make this project so important to my portfolio. It shows my level of awareness of important local events, and it proves that I have the capability of doing work as a photojournalist if given the chance. To me, what was important wasn't just taking pictures of the people protesting, but also taking pictures of what they were fighting for. This is why I went inside the school to take pictures describing the budget the school had through unkept maintenance.
Independent
2023, Spring
Documentary Photography
Independent
2023, Autumn
Advanced Film Studies
13
QUEER CINEMA: "I DREAM OF DEATH" ANALYSIS ESSAY
In this 400-level film studies course, I was requested to write an essay regarding one important film that I had to analyze. I wrote about a foreign "queer" film that contained many tropes and stereotypes. In this case, I put the spotlight on a film titled "suicide room," which is a story that follows a boy named Dominik as he explores his sexuality, eventually leading himself to cause self-harm.
Queer cinema is a genre that is becoming more and more popular in the world of filmmaking. After both working on a queer film and studying one, I can personally say that a lot of contemporary movies contain these stereotypes and tropes. Having the ability and skills to recognize these problems before writing a script or working on a production can be a very valuable asset when it comes to publication.
14
19TH CENTURY LIT: MARRIAGE, AN INDIRECT DOMINANCE FACTOR
This essay's technicality was very prevalent as I had to take on a daring concept that may seem controversial regarding the cultural practice of marriage in the United States. Specifically, how it may be an indirect act of cultural dominance during the era of manifest destiny. I use references from iconic 19th-century literature texts for both evidence and critique.
This essay is a tribute to my long history of studying very old literature. Coming up with these philosophical concepts, observations, and theories is what helps drive original imagination and innovation within a script. This essay is one of the many valuable lessons I have learned when being assigned to such topics.
2023, Winter
Independent
19th Century Literature
Independent
2023, Spring
Literary and Popular Genre in Theater and Performance
15
THEATER AND PERFORMANCE LIT: THE TRAGEDY OF LINDA LOWMAN
After studying theater and performance art literature, I wanted to look into the intrapersonal struggle of a masterfully crafted character: Linda Lowman in "Death of a Salesman." In this analysis, I provide context as to how and why she is subject to being the absolute most "tragic" character in all of theater and performance.
This essay has a lot to do with my involvement in studying theater performance. After writing this essay, I've realized how much I pay attention to smaller details in comparison to a majority of my peers. Whether it's correct or not, it is significant in representing the skills I have when looking at theater performance and recognizing the true intent in literature.