Richie Mehta
Degree: BA
Specialist: Art & Art History
Minor: Cinema Studies
Year Of Graduation: 2001
Richie Mehta is a film director and producer for his company, Poor Man’s Productions Ltd.
“I make very little money, but I love the work,” Richie says.
Four years of Art & Art History and Cinema Studies at UTM laid the groundwork for Richie’s acceptance into Sheridan College’s post-grad Advanced TV and Film program. This is when his job search began.
“During my post-grad, I met many people,” he says. “I conducted my job search through word of mouth and personal contacts.”
Richie says the keys to success in filmmaking are patience, talent, cooperation, and leadership. He says it’s also vital to find your own path, since what works for someone else may not necessarily work for you.
“Everyone in filmmaking must figure out how they work best and what they must do to persevere,” he says. “Also, you must not develop a reliance on extravagant living. You have to be willing to sacrifice many things.”
Key positions that helped Richie get to where he is today include a five-week term as a Production Assistant with Warner Brothers and an 11-week run as a Teaching Assistant at Sheridan College.
Richie was also the Arts & Entertainment Editor for The Medium, UTM’s student newspaper, for two years and then became the paper’s Editor-in-Chief in 2000-2001, where he developed leadership skills, writing skills as well as a strong work ethic and stamina.
