Aéro Films director Indrani

Born in Calcutta, a fashion model from the age of 14, and holder of a BA in anthropology from Princeton, Indrani has gained a broad perspective on the evolution of photography. She is also the co-founder of SEEschool, a non-profit organization providing free education to women and children in India. For her work with companies like Neiman Marcus, Ralph Lauren Polo, and the London Sunday Times, she is based in the New York City offices of Santa Monica’s Aéro Film. Have a look at her recent work, then read her answers to five questions from StudioDaily.

Q: What are you working on today?
A: I’m working on a video and album cover shoot with Mary J Blige, and a short film starring Daphne Guinness.

Q: What’s the best new tool or innovation that you’ve found in the last year?
A: The ARRI Alexa camera.

Q: What project (film, television, commercial or music video) most impressed you in the last year? Why?
A: [French film] Des Hommes et des dieux (Of Gods and Men), because of its breathtakingly subtle but beautiful approach to questions of the value of human life, martyrdom, and belief.

Q: The best or favorite project that you worked on in the past year? And why?
A: A PSA for Keep A Child Alive, with TBWA / Chiat Day, starring Katie Holmes, Kim Kardashian, Ryan Seacrest, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Alicia Keys, Jayden and Willow Smith, Janelle Monae, Daphne Guinness, and David LaChapelle, because our campaign raised over a million dollars in under six days and, more importantly, raised tons of awareness to fight AIDS in India and Africa.

Q: Name the top 4 artists on your iPod?
A: Pergolesi, Fever Ray, Bitter:Sweet, Queen