There is a great distinction between being a Movie Director and a Filmmaker: the former is an employee of the movie production, the later is an Auteur.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
I was born in Argentina, raised in Buddhism, and my relationship with the arts started at 4 years old when doing 3D perspective paintings in kindergarten. At 10 years old my dad gave me a video camera and a digital editing computer-suite as a present, and I started shooting and editing short films since then.
At 21 years old I moved to Asia to learn Mandarin language. In 2008 I founded my own movie-studio PROVOKE FILMS, directing and producing music videos, fashion films and commercials for Worldwide clients and brands.
From 2015 to 2018 I became a Nichiren Shu Japanese School Buddhist monk, and I did buddhist missionary work in Asia, Europe and America.
On 2018 I moved to USA, left my buddhist missionary work, and focused entirely on creating entertainment and artistic content to bring Awakening, Discernment and Joy to the audience.
2. What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
The beautiful camera movement, visual poetry, provocative storylines and cinematography of Steven Spielberg, Stanley Kubrick and Sergei Tarkovsky's movies were the inspiration for me to become a full time filmmaker.
3. What advice would you pass on to someone who wants to be a filmmaker?
To learn well all the crew production roles, tools, and tricks needed to make a movie, before labeling themselves Filmmakers. There is a great distinction between being a Movie Director and a Filmmaker: the former is an employee of the movie production, the later is an Auteur.
4. What is your mantra of success?
Don't give the audience what they already expect from you. Innovate and never stop learning the craft.
5. Who is your favourite filmmaker and why?
I have several favourite filmmakers that inspire my work... Steven Spielberg -because of his storytelling magic-, Stanley Kubrick and Sergei Tarkovsky -because of their visual originality and power-, David Fincher -because of his masterful skills as a director-, Mark Romanek -because of his true Artistic mindset-, and Paul Thomas Anderson -because of his visual energy.
6. What does your typical day look like?
I live in San Fernando Valley with my cat Sammy, surrounded by all the movie and television studios. I normally go to sleep at 8am, and wake up at 12pm yes, I am a vampire (lol). I start the day by listening to the news and reading my email inbox while having breakfast. Then I set up the activities I need to complete during the day, and I start working and making phone calls.
I love to go running or biking at night for 1 or 2 hours, when everyone is sleeping, before I connect with my life and business partner -my Muse- who lives in the northern hemisphere.
7. Which is your favourite book and why?
"Thus Spoke Zarathustra" by Friedrich Nietzsche, because every time I read it, I find freedom and purpose in life.
Ciro Ayala is an Award-Winning filmmaker and auteur known for his dark and surreal style, whose directing work includes music videos, fashion films and commercials.
He founded PROVOKE FILMS® and VOKEMODELS HDTV.
Ciro Ayala was born in Resistencia (Chaco) Argentina, the son of Maria Ines and Miguel Angel Ayala. A child prodigy, Ciro's relationship with the Arts started at age 4, when creating 3d perspective drawings on paper. Inspired by the films of Steven Spielberg, Ciro began making movies at age ten with a Panasonic video camera. At age 15, Ciro edited videos for Interpol, Sport Championships and Identity Films, with his own Video Editing platform, installed in his bedroom. In 2000, at age 19, with producer Facundo Marcías, Ciro wrote and directed his first independent movie, a 30 minutes suspense short called "Disfraz". The movie was later shown in the Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre International Film Festival for 3 consecutive years, as well as in Madrid and Paris.
In 2002, Ciro left his University studies and moved to Taiwan. He went to work for several companies as 3D Architecture Designer, Art Director and Filmmaker, but discovered that he was more creative and efficient working on his own than under other people. So, in 2008 he went on to found PROVOKE FILMS® focused on directing and producing music videos and commercials.
His first clients included Armin van Buuren, Paul Oakenfold, Armada Music, Spinnin' Records, and Kontor TV.
Producing more than 700 works in Europe, Asia and America since the past 13 years, Ciro has been credited as filmmaker, writer and producer on projects for Dope D.O.D., Krewella, Rockstar Energy Drink, Fashion One TV Network, Fashion TV, NFT Art, etc.
On June 2010, Ciro founded VOKEMODELS On Demand HDTV.
TRIVIA: Ciro is fluent in Spanish, English, and Chinese Mandarin. He lived in Taiwan for 17 years before moving to Los Angeles, California.
- Interviewed By Anamika Ajith
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