Q/A: Osman Tahirbeyoglu

Posted by Max Matias in Film, Visual Arts

Tahiberyoglu at work. Photo by Max Matias

Osman Tahirbeyoglu is a Mexican film student. When he was a child, his favorite movies were A Goofy Movie and The Little Mermaid, which lead him to his love for animation and the urge to draw and tell stories through the characters he created. Currently, his inspiration comes from Tim Burton, Steven Spielberg and James Cameron.

Jackalope Magazine: Why did you decide to study film?

Osman Tahiberyoglu: Since I was a child, I liked to tell stories and to draw. I remember when I was 7 years old that every time I came back to see a movie, I would spend hours and hours trying to draw all what I’d seen in the movie. I felt as if I was the one making the movie. By making these drawings I felt a part of the movies. Now I see the technical aspect, character designs and the practice.

JM: What inspires you while studying film?

OT: I feel that everybody has stories to share. With film you are able to transmit ideas, feelings, experiences and stories and I would like to share my stories through this medium.

JM: Why are you studying film at SFUAD?

OT: The school offers a lot of tools and facilities for students: It has The Grip House, and The Screen. Many films schools don’t offer these kind of opportunities. The classes are small with not too many people, so the attention that the professors give you is more personalized. I also like the student life.

Osman’s drawing kit

JM: If you were not a film student, what would you like to be?

OT: I would have liked to study animation, illustration or graphic design. Film is my favorite from all of these majors. Illustration, for example, is something at which I already have experience and I already know how to do.

JM: Did you take drawing lessons or did you develop your drawing skills by yourself?

OT:  I just took a drawing class when I was little, but I left it because they would only draw fruits and I wanted to draw the things I saw in the TV, like dinosaurs.

JM: Do you believe you have a style and could you describe it?

OT: Yes, I do. Now I’m just starting with sharpies and I usually have a mixed technique. I create characters and I give them stories and scripts, just like in film.

JM: What is your favorite character that you have created?

OT: It’s called Dibo and it is about a dinosaur. His species have little brains and eat meat even though they should be vegetarian. Dibo wants and tries to be smart, he also has a friend who is smart. I created this comic strip four years ago and now I want to see if I can get them published.

Osman and some friends. Photo by Max Matias.

JM: What is your ultimate goal?

OT: I would like to be part of this film industry, get a professional job and rise with the big companies like Pixar, Dreamworks; this last one is my top.

JM: Do you have an experience at SFUAD that you want to share with us?

OT: The artistic relationships you can make here are really good. Because there are groups to which students can join and there you can see how everyone has the same goals. Everybody is interested in the same: Create art for everyone. You must to work in tandem and support each other.