Hello, I’m Jasdeep, I thought I’d write a blog post to connect some dots. This post is something like a director’s cut, where I breakdown my website and get a chance to highlight my work (I’m Aquarius, so this kind of analyzation is very fun for me).

So let’s begin…

I am a Director, Editor, Videographer, Musician, Photographer, DJ & Writer. I’m proud to have many skills and means of expression. Having varied interests keeps me in balance and in wonderful flow. Being able to direct one day, edit the next and possibly DJ later that evening brings me joy. 

In this post I’ll be sharing my background in FILM, PHOTO and MUSIC as well as a short description of the correlating tabs on my site. 

1) FILM 

Let’s start with my background in film. 

Before I learned anything technical, I experienced a shift in my early 20s where I began to value films the way I valued memory and life. During this time I learned about the importance of using my voice. I felt that filmmaking would be a great tool for me explore my perspective and ideas. 

In 2014 I spent time learning the technical skills of filmmaking at a commercial production house in the Bay Area, Mac House Productions. There I met a wonderful group of people who were driven and passionate about video production. The way that I was connected to Mac House is somewhat of a mystery to me, but one that I cherish. I was previously interning at the Sikh Coalition, which is a civil rights nonprofit founded after the attacks on 9/11. I expressed some interest in filmmaking to my advisor Simran Kaur (who now runs a curated book store for young Sikh children). Simran connected me with someone, who then connected me with Jessica Fee (a filmmaker & photographer). Jessica is remains a great friend and peer in filmmaking.

I began creating music videos and solo experimental films while I lived in the Bay Area. The first music video I made was with Kohinoorgasm. We filmed in a yellow victorian apartment in Berkeley with a beautiful group of friends. 

I began freelancing and building my portfolio after my time at Mac House and then moved to NYC in 2017 to further carve out my voice. Since then I have continued to make music videos and experimental video essays. I hope to one day work on narrative pieces and film my scripts into animated videos. Below is the second music video I worked on with Spellling on Mare Island right before I moved. 

Here’s where I’m at now and what I’ve worked on since then…

1A.VIDEO ART:

Here you’ll find video art that I directed. Some are experimental, others are music videos. In these videos, I explore my perspective by approaching the concept, camera and subject matter through the lens of curiosity and care. I like to believe that there’s a fantastical element in each of these videos. I enjoy exploring fantasy as a means of transmuting and transporting energy through portals of time. I’m extremely proud of the video work on this tab and I’m grateful to share. 

Last year I was lucky to be a part of the River to River festival in 2021 with womxn in windows exhibition in NYC where my film Phiran Wali  (below) was screened. 

1B.BRANDED WORK/DOC :

When I’m not making video art, I’m collaborating with others. This tab features my freelance video work. Here you’ll find a diverse library containing documentary, nonprofit, fashion & commercial videos. If you click on a video, you can see that my role(s) range from director, editor, videographer and animator. I’ve met some very interesting and great people through these projects. You can view more of my video work in my Vimeo library. I created the animation below for SOAR, a nonprofit centering joy and justice for South Asian survivors. 

2) PHOTO

The second tab will lead you to my photo work. 

I can’t quite remember when I began exploring photography. It feels like a tool that has been constant in my life. I have a wide range of photography styles but I chose to highlight my 35mm photos taken on a Pentax that I bought near the Sunset in SF (I love this camera).

2A) PHOTOREEL:  

The photos that I chose to share on my website are documentary style film photos. I did sneak in the Guerrilla Girls for Surface Mag since this was my first time shooting a cover story and I was very excited. Another time I was published was in 2021  for a photo I did with The Shed for the New York Times. The 35mm photos in this tab represent the time in-between these publications. 

This photo reel is a small glimpse into my photo collection. I decided in 2017 (when I first moved to NY) that I wanted to take my day to day photography more seriously, I started to take photos every month and get them developed locally (my favorite place is Photo Life in Brooklyn). I love making personalized zines for my friends and loved ones. I’m hoping to put together a photobook in the future.

2B) PRINT SHOP:

I have prints for sale. I use my photography as an extension of my spiritual practice so most of my pictures look very calm and peaceful. #stillness hehe.

3) MUSIC

Finally the music tab….

My music journey started at age 4 on a wooden harmonium in a temple that no longer exists. Since then I’ve been journeying through music as Jakari Wing. Jakari Wing is my fantastical persona inspired by an intergalactic donkey. Most of my musical process involves vocals, instrumentals and Logic Pro. I love being able to jam with friends, play with my sitar and collaborate with my partner. I hope to continue incorporating more of my compositional skills with visuals. Here are some examples Realign (below) & Phiran Wali.

3A) RELEASES:

Here you’ll find some of my music releases as Jakari Wing. Last year, I shared two soft and dreamy singles titled “Realign” & “Don’t Sleep” (below). I can’t wait to share more of the music that I’ve been working on.

3B) MIXES:

I love exploring music and mixing sounds that I hear throughout my day.  DJ’ing is a way for me to travel between time. I blend different sounds I hear into one continuous stream of consciousness. In this subtab you’ll find my DJ mixes & features.

This leads me to the end. Please feel free to explore now that the little tour of my site is over. Thank you for staying and reading. I really didn’t think I would finish so thank you. I hope you learned a little about me through my first post.  

with gratitude, 

Jasdeep 

Portrait of me on steps by Sonia Prabhu, aka raverjiin. I am wearing a white top with a green tank layered on top, blue jeans and black pointed shoes. I’m sitting on the now demolished East River Park amphitheater. I acknowledge that this photo is taken on a Lenape sacred site.