Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.
[image provided by Ranjinder Hans]
She has led several successful Award Campaigns at EBComs in these past few years, including winning the “Trifecta” for Best Cinematography – ‘Dune’ for Greig ADS Fraser (Oscars 2022, BAFTAs 2022 and the ASC Award) and garnering an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography of ‘The Trial Of The Chicago 7’ in 2021.
But before her success in Hollywood, Ranjinder was born and raised in Sungkai, Perak. She continued to grow up in Ipoh after her family moved there when she was 12 years old.
This is her story.
In 2009, I was a rookie in the public relations industry, trying to gain footing in a new industry after working as an accountant at IBM Malaysia.
I soon realised that being an accountant was not what I was meant to do.
So I leapt into public relations when I got offered a job at Arcis Communications. I will always be thankful to my bosses at Arcis as they provided me with the stepping stone and training I needed.
Humble beginnings in the US
After that, I worked as a marketing communications ADS manager in a food and beverage company before working for the Sepang International Circuit. I then ventured into the public relations world on my own, handling public relations and managing events such as a Shah Rukh Khan concert and “dinner in the sky” events.
I went to Los Angeles in 2016 to kick off a project. It was a Malaysian project that was to be held there. While I was there, I did a lot of networking and made a lot of friends. The project did not take off and so I came home. In 2017, I decided I wanted to do something different.
“The pool of work here in Malaysia became small and it just wasn’t challenging enough. I just needed something to maximise my potential. So I went to Los Angeles, though I did not have a job offer. I started teaching yoga. I am a certified yoga instructor”
The Charging Bull in New York City [Image provided by Ranjinder Hans]
I was a server at the Emmys and Grammy after-parties. I remember telling myself I hoped to attend these events one day, which is what happened. It is like a full circle for me. It was a very humbling experience.
I never had the experience of working at fast food outlets after major exams in Malaysia, like some young people did to earn extra pocket money. This was because my parents never allowed it.
It was strange to have to do these jobs later in your life. It was a humbling experience. While doing these jobs, I kept applying for other opportunities and got a public relations agency position.
I stayed there for a year and then got an offer at EBComs in 2019, right before the Covid-19 pandemic.
What we specialise in is that we represent the people behind the camera. It was something I had to learn. Regarding film, we tend to talk about the actors and directors only. Nobody talks about the producers or the people behind the camera.
A whole world in Hollywood is dedicated to the craft people behind the camera. We are one of the few agencies worldwide that represent the talent behind the camera.
I was officially made a partner in the company in May this year.
Essentially, the agency works to make sure the works of these talented people get pushed to the forefront, especially during awards season.
My current clients include ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ cinematographer Claudio Miranda and ‘Elvis’ cinematographer, Mandy Walker.
I was at the world premiere of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ in San Diego and even saw Tom Cruise in the flesh.
Ranjinder at 93rd Academy Awards [image provided by Ranjinder Hans]
Now I work for the studio behind a Tom Cruise movie. Incidentally, I’ve been a huge fan of the first ‘Top Gun’ film. I’d describe it as “the coolest movie ever.”
So, imagine how I felt when I got to do public relations for the movie!
“I will tell you now; they used minimal CGI. It is amazing how the whole movie was filmed. It will be a great contender for next year’s Oscars,”
Though some of the movies my firm worked on have been watched by millions across the world, I have also done public relations for movies that aren’t mainstream.
Movies such as ‘The Trial of Chicago 7’, which was shown on Netflix.
The hard work that went into the cinematography may not be as obvious as in epic films such as ‘Dune’ because it was a courtroom drama.
The movie was released in 2020 when everything got postponed, giving my colleagues and me more time with our promotional campaigns.
The movie got nominated for Best Cinematography at the Academy Awards in 2021.
For the hot biography ‘Elvis’, my firm worked with cinematographer Mandy Walker, who was also the cinematographer for ‘Mulan’.
“Directing and cinematography is a boy’s club. Our company also advocated for female directors and cinematographers who deserve a place on the world stage. We hope good things will happen for Mandy this year,”
Though my company mainly represents cinematographers, it also represents some directors and production designers.
All this still feels surreal because when I was still working in public relations in Malaysia, I only dealt with my counterparts in Hollywood instead of the studios directly.
Sometimes I do pinch myself when I am talking directly with a public relations person in Warner Bros, or I am directly talking to a director.
Just recently, I sent an email to the assistant of Baz Luhrmann. As I was drafting the email and the pitch, I had goosebumps because I knew that Luhrmann was going to read it.
I even interacted with Denis Villeneuve, the director of ‘Dune’ who I’d personally describe as “the nicest person”. I had the opportunity to talk to him about his work and the movie.
“It is insane. They are real people and they are so talented. It just blows my mind.”
Anyone who had to deal with Bollywood stars can attest to the amount of diva attitude they have to put up with. But it was my experience working with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan gave me the confidence to try new things with my career.
When you work with him, the first thing he will ask you is, ‘what is your name?’ He will then remember your name. I had a great time working with him. The next day after the concert, when we were taking a group shot, he remembered my name. For me, that was a big deal.
“Oh my God, Shah Rukh Khan remembers my name! He meets so many people every day!”
That helped boost my confidence. I have worked with Shah Rukh Khan. So what is next? I am always hungry for more.
(From left) Shah Rukh Khan & Ranjinder [image provided by Ranjinder Hans]
We thought it was only going to be for two weeks. I still laugh at the thought of it. However, while other companies struggled to survive, the firm grew.
All the Holywood people had, all this time, to think about what they could do to update their profile and what they could do with their brand. That is when they got hungry for PR and our company just grew bigger and bigger during Covid-19.
Do you know anyone with an interesting story to share? Drop us an email at hello@inreallife.my and we may feature the story.
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