Gobi, Tupac's business partner Interview Sep/09

[Idan]

Gobi Interview Sep/09



[SIZE="4"]TupacNation.Net: Tell us a little about yourself, your heritage, family background, and what inspired you into the video/production industry. What kind of training or exposure (people you have worked with) that was your breaking point?

Gobi: I was born in london, england to an 1/2 english, 1/2 iranian mother, and iranian father.
I came to the US in '79 just after the revolution in Iran. I moved to Irvine California. being iranian and an asthmatic, nerdy kid in high school in irvine back then was really tough. i used to get beat up a lot for being iranian. they'd call me a sandnigga or camel jockey. this left me very insecure and very displaced at an early age. However this experience made me very sensitive to the pain of other minorities, african american's in particular. i got a marketing degree just so i could get a degree. i didn't have any passion for it. I married and divorced an aspiring filmmaker. i produced a spec music video for her on my credit card and absolutely fell in love with the process. i can say it was the first time in life that i had passion for a vocation. when that relationship fell apart, i met tracy robinson (a music video producer) and started working production with her. we ended up producing a couple hundred music videos. i came up the ranks from pa, coordinator to producer. i was producing '2 of amerikaz most wanted' when the director backed out, cause he didn't want to share credit with tupac (it was tupac's concept and he wanted co-directing credit). so when that director backed out(2 days before our shoot), my partner tracy suggested tupac work with me (since she knew i really wanted to direct). Pac responded "let the mofo do it". that was my first directing gig. i didn't go to film school, but got more on the job training than any film school could give me.

TupacNation.Net: As an Iranian and a Muslim, how does it feel to live in America these days? what do you have to say about the situation in Iran with all the latest news?

Gobi:  I went to Iran for the 1st time in 30 years, 2 years ago. I came back much more Iranian and prouder of my heritage than ever before. i come from a culture that date back some 7000 years. i think i tapped into a bit of that. what's going on it Iran is very sad, but necessary. the theocratic government has run it's course and now it's time for a new wave. i think it's going to take 5 to 10 more years before a full transformation, but at least the people have spoken.

TupacNation.Net: What videos, or production in general have you been working on as of late? What can we except from Gobi in the future?

Gobi:  I just finished doing a series of spots for BUTTERFINGER.
I'm currently producing a MONSTER WAVE surf movie for IMAX that will be in 3D.
It's a story about surfers who surf waves that are 40 to 100 feet each.

TupacNation.Net: Tell us about your co-ownership of a Multimedia Production Company, what its name? anything in the making?

Gobi:  Our company is called Static Free Films. we have a variety of projects in the works.

TupacNation.Net: Your company has a few 3D projects coming up right? what kind of projects?

Gobi:  We have the monster wave movie and a comedy that we hope to work with cedric the entertainer with.

TupacNation.Net: How did you first come in contact with 2Pac? How would you describe your relation ship with him? were you close, friends?

Gobi: I was Pac's business partner, but i have to say i had mad love for him.
I was seeing him transform right in front of me. Tupac was amazing and getting to be more and more everyday.

TupacNation.Net: How was it working with other DeathRow artists? Have you shot other videos for them? any unreleased footage of former DeathRow artists?

Gobi:  Back then Deathrow was very challenging to work with.
I don't have anything from any other artist, I do have footage of Tupac/Outlawz and Snoop, Dogg Pound, at the House of Blues.

TupacNation.Net: Did you enjoy working with Deathrow back in the day? did the "gangsta" attitude change your work or plans?

Gobi:  I didn't like drama back then, still don't like it.

TupacNation.Net: Have you talked to Lara Lavi, the new owner and CEO of DeathRow? Will you consider working with her? perhaps you can do something with your unreleased footage.

Gobi:  I'd love to talk with her. i have a lot of content that we may be able to collaborate on.
i also have a couple of film projects that she may be interested in.
Just got off the phone with her. I think we will end up doing business. thank you my brother. (I gave him Lara Lavi's phone number...)

TupacNation.Net: The fans have seen the seconds of the reused recording studio footage of 2Pac. What are the current plans regarding the studio footage of a day in the life of 2Pac in June 1996? Do you still have the original copies of the footage?

Gobi:  Yes! I do have the original content and plan on cutting a doc from the [SIZE="3"]'One Nation'[/SIZE] days.

TupacNation.Net: What other videos were shot by you from the time you met him, to the last months of 2Pac's life?

Gobi: I produced almost all of his videos after 2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted, I directed Made Niggaz. 

TupacNation.Net: How would you describe 2Pac as a person from your past experiences, that not many people know about?

Gobi: I met him during the last year of his life. he was evolving into a man. i think he had learned from all of his prior errors and was really to act more like an adult. the parts of him i saw were kind, considerate, driven and loyal.

TupacNation.Net: Which music videos did you direct for 2Pac? What were your inspirations for each? How was it behind the scenes? Is there more footage of it?

Gobi: 2 Of Amerikas Most Wanted and Made Niggaz - there is more footage, no behind the scenes footage.

TupacNation.Net: What are the blueprints for the film that you are planning to do about 2Pac and the last days of his life? Is there a speculated title, or release date? What content will be on it (i.e. new (old) interviews, footage, etc.)

Gobi:  If i get my way it will be a film about the last 7 days at the hospital and yes i will include never before seen footage. i'll give you more details when the time comes.

TupacNation.Net: Tell us a little about "Life Goes On." Is it true that a music video was recorded for it, but remains unreleased? What is some information you can give us regarding the video (i.e. who was in it, what 2Pac was wearing, where it was shot, etc.)

Gobi: Here is the video that was never released, share with your members.



TupacNation.Net: Do you still keep in contact with Amaru, Afeni, or any of 2Pac's former affiliates?
Are you involved in the production of the screenplay Live 2 Tell?

Gobi: Yes i'm still in touch with them all. I would like to.
 
TupacNation.Net: Tell us a little about the production studio, 24-7 Productions, that you were partners with Tracy Robinson and 2Pac. What projects or aspirations did you three have in mind?

Gobi: We were planning on doing all of pac's videos and also had some films to produce that Tupac was very excited about.

TupacNation.Net: Tell us a little about the Yoko Ono video you have directed. Was it your idea?

Gobi: It was an idea a friend and i came up with. Yoko On was gracious enough to go thru with it.

TupacNation.Net: What do you enjoy more, making music videos, shotting TV shows and movies or working on documentaries?

Gobi:  I love directing videos, but am really looking forward to making some movies.

TupacNation.Net: Who came up with the concept for the Pac's Life video with Ashanti and T.I ? Are you going to be involved in future videos of Tupac in the future?

Gobi: I came up with the concept based on what i'd heard Afeni was looking for.
I would love to be involved in future projects.

TupacNation.Net: Were you happy with the critic review of your book "Thru My Eyes".
Do you plan to write and release any more books?

Gobi: It was simply supposed to be a photo book on Tupac including my thoughts.
It wasn't supposed to be a critical piece on him. i plan on re-realsing it as an eBook online with downloadable footage and photos.

TupacNation.Net: You have worked with some of the biggest names, artists like Brandy, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Erykah Badu, Queen Latifah, Ice Cube, Breed and Mack-10. Would you say that Tupac was different? special?

Gobi: Tupac was different from eveyone else that i've met thus far.
Pac had a genius streak to him, but he also made some bad moves and trusted the wrong people. I think he really had a lot of divinity running thru his veins.

TupacNation.Net: Dmx and Tupac have always been compared to each other, you have worked with the both rappers, is there any similarity?

Gobi: Dmx had Tupac type energy, however had more demons.
Someone that i think will eventually become very important is Lil Mama. She also has that Tupac energy. I think one day she will become a very important figure, not just in music and film.

TupacNation.Net: Share a few moments from the reality TV show/documentary you shot with DMX.

Gobi: The entire show was about chasing him around the country. Sad really. he had so much potential.

TupacNation.Net: Your best work, can you point your finger on the best project you were involved with?

Gobi: Pac was the highlight, the best is yet to come.

TupacNation.Net: Do you have any idea when a new Tupac album will be released? an Amaru release?

Gobi:  I have no idea at all.

TupacNation.Net: Can you share your best memory of working with Tupac?

Gobi:  Pac used to call me his crazy-Iranian...that's all i needed.



TupacNation.Net: Tupac directed Ray Luv's video - Last Night. Have you seen it? What can you tell us about Tupac and his directing skills?

Gobi: I haven't seen it. On the few clips that i directed, he pretty much let me do my own thing.

TupacNation.Net: Was he involved in the making of 2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted and Made Niggaz?

Gobi: They were his concept, but iI directed them both. he let me do my thing.

TupacNation.Net: How many unseen photos of Tupac do you have and plan to release on your eBook?

Gobi: Lots and lots of photos!

TupacNation.Net: Thanks for giving TupacNation.Net an opportunity to interview you man!

Gobi: any hook ups with good designers for an ebook? Thanks!

 2StyledMedia ( http://www.2styled.com/ ) of Denzo & Seroo will work with Gobi on his eBook for Thru My Eyes.

[krzieg]

great read. ive read the same interview be4 doe