AT just 24 years old, Mohd Al Adam Mohd Ghazali already wears many hats – as a music video director, an aspiring director, a writer and a male model.
This up-and-coming young talent, who has always aspired to be a filmmaker, got his first break in the modelling industry at the age of 18.
“I have always been interested in filmmaking as a child. But I never had the guts to get into it until I started modelling, and met other people who have pursued their passions as a career,” said Adam.
Adam, who is now a well-established name in the fashion world, said it was the “search for self-expression” which led him to take up a career in modelling.
“I got into it because my friend forwarded a poster for a casting call for a fashion show to me on Instagram. I went for it, got the call, walked the show, and everything just kept on rolling from there,” said the winner of the Mensfolio Male Model Search 2018.
During his few years as a model, Adam has managed to build an impressive portfolio of work.
He has been featured in editorial spreads of popular fashion magazines, appeared in campaigns for brands such as Parkson, Fashion Valet, Wardrobe Privato; and walked the runways for KL Fashion Week, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week KL, and Malaysia Fashion Week, to name a few.
Tell us about your past or current filmmaking projects.
“I worked on an indie feature film for a short while last year, but for the most part, I have been working on music videos.
“I have assisted on music videos for local bands such as Hujan and Masdo, while directing some of my own music videos for singers like Kayda and Nysaa (Nazry). For Kayda, I directed her Jangan Salah Faham music video; and for Nysaa, her Sekali Ini music video. I am very excited about some of my upcoming projects because they all include my favourite Malaysian rappers!”
What kind of films do you want to make in the future?
“I hope to make thought-provoking movies that push the boundaries of creativity, methodology, and technology. But even if I don’t do that, making a film that makes someone smile for a short while is more than enough for me.”
What kind of challenges do you face as a young filmmaker?
“My biggest challenge now is getting equipment to shoot my passion projects. My life would be a thousand times easier if I owned a high-end camera.”
What do you love about modelling?
“Working with other passionate people on a project that we just want to be proud of at the end of the day. That, and the attention from girls!”
Have you faced any challenges in modelling?
“There are some challenges when it comes to modelling, but I feel like those would come with any other profession.
“Every photoshoot or fashion show is always a good memory for me. I get to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Bad memories all centre around chasing payments from clients.”
What do you write about?
“I write fictional short stories, poems, and scripts. I use all these different mediums because they all offer a different form of expression, but a recurring theme in my work is the exploration of the human condition, and in turn, writing allows me to explore my own human condition in a safe way.”
Do you have any motto or philosophy that you live by?
“If we could see the whole truth of any situation, our only response would be one of compassion.” This is a quote by a Tibetan monk, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, and there are many instances where it has prevented me from acting impulsively and to take a step back to properly assess the situation.”
What are your future plans?
“I have many goals in life. I want to direct movies and write compelling stories, but I also have a bunch of other goals that I want to achieve.
“I’m still trying to figure out how all my plans will come together, but at the moment I’m just enjoying every project that comes my way.”
