Education:

Undergraduate | Pratt Institute | Brooklyn, NY | 08/22 - Present

  • Currently pursuing a BFA in Film at Pratt Institute. Current GPA of 4.0. Graduating May 2026

Film and Media Career Development Program Scholar | The Gotham Film & Media Institute | Remote | 06/24 - 08/24

  • Developed concept that culminated into a verbal and visual pitch reviewed by industry experts as part of a highly selective cohort of scholars. Color of God was developed under guidance of this program.

Personal Practice:

Writer, Director, Producer, Editor | Independent | Brooklyn, NY | 08/22 - Present

  • Created films (narrative as well as non-fiction), music videos, and commercials by overseeing pre-production, production, as well as post-production of entire projects from start to finish while wearing multiple hats.

  • Assembled and managed crews of 30+ people for dual country productions with successful festival runs.

Professional Experiences:

Film Production & Distribution Intern | First Run Features | New York, NY | 06/24 - Present

  • Pre-production researching, sourcing footage, producing tasks, filming and editing for feature films.

  • Delivered digital assets to Kanopy, Tubi, and similar platforms, archived data / organized information.

  • Marketed monthly word-of-mouth screenings. Created content in order to boost FRF’s social media impressions

Video Editor | Vinyl Foote Productions | Brooklyn, NY | 05/2024 - Present

  • Edited long form podcast videos, maintained a long running format and aesthetic, managed and delivered data.

  • Edited fast paced trailers, sizzle reels, pitch videos for feature films in development.

  • Researched archival and edited social media content about upcoming releases / film festival summaries.

Video Producer & Editor | Pratt Sidelights+ | Brooklyn, NY | 01/24 - 02/24

  • Directed, produced, and edited short form mini docs for Pratt Institute’s various departments.

  • Identified subjects, obtained permits and gear, executed various films from pre to post-production.

  • Worked with quick deadlines and delivered various exports while applying received editing notes

Film Production Intern | Midnight Media Inc. / Misha Calvert | New York, NY | 08/23 - 12/23

  • Helped cultivate and approve press kits for a narrative short film’s festival campaign.

  • Negotiated for and acquired music rights by communicating with music companies.

  • Provided coverage on script drafts for future projects, helped with pre-production research.

Film Studio Monitor | Pratt Film/Video | Brooklyn, NY | 08/2023 - 02/24

  • Maintained film studio, kept inventory of valuable equipment, mentored underclassmen.

  • Organized / helped organize community events / screenings.

Accomplishments:

  • Official selections - for 2025 film Color of God:

    • 14th Canadian Screen Award Qualifying New York Shorts International Film Festival

    • 14th Canadian Screen Award Qualifying International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) Toronto

    • 16th Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF) (Closing Day Lineup) for 2025 film Color of God.

  • Official selection at the New York Lift-Off Film Festival for 2024 film Anatomy Of A Healer.

  • Elected Pratt Film Video’s senior class Student Government Representative.

  • Dean's List for all semesters at Pratt Institute, recipient of the Presidential Merit scholarship at Pratt Institute.

Skills:

  • Top skills: Screenwriting, directing, producing, video editing.

  • Producing skills: Budgeting & fundraising, conceptualization & pitch decks, acquiring permits, production documents, scheduling, casting, location scouting, catering, indentifying and acquiring gear and technical needs (including crew), data management, festival strategies.

  • Secondary skills: Cinematography, color grading. sound mixing.

  • Top software: Premiere Pro, Davinci Resolve, Final Draft, Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, Frame.io

  • Secondary software: ProTools, After Effects, IBM Aspera, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Procreate

  • Intermediate digital cinema camera operation: Arri, Blackmagic, Red, Sony, Canon, Panasonic.

  • Other equipment: Stabilizers, rigs, gimbals, steadicam, film studio spaces and lighting grids as well as standard lighting kits ans grip equipment, standard sound recording boom and LAV kits.

  • Other skills: DCP creation, promotional video & graphic content formatting & creation for social media.

  • Languages: Fluent in English, Hindi, & Gujarati. Intermediate Spanish skills.

Volunteer Work / Other Affiliations / Interests / Experiences:

  • Developed strong customer service, teamwork, and time management as a restaurant worker at Coffee Uplifts People from 2022-2024.

  • Volunteer at various animal shelters around the city whenever possible.

  • Avid runner, self proclaimed chef / culinary enthusiast, wannabe traveler. Lover of films, cats, movies, coffee, colors, light, and the little things.

mrugeshthakor@gmail.com