Bootstrapping a Community Wildfire Response/Sandeep Parikh - Altadena, Crowdfund, EffinFunny ~ Spark of Ages Ep 36

Spark of Ages

Sandeep Parikh shares his journey of resilience after being displaced by the LA wildfires, discussing how the disaster tested his strength as a father, husband, and creator while inspiring new approaches to filmmaking and community building.
• Surviving the devastating LA wildfires that destroyed over 9,000 structures and left countless homes uninhabitable due to toxic contamination
• Co-founding Eaton Fire Residents United to map toxin spread through affected neighborhoods when official support fell short
• Maintaining creativity despite compounding challenges to Hollywood from pandemic, strikes, and now natural disasters
• Pioneering crowdfunding success with culturally authentic projects like DesiQuest and the upcoming film "Vidhya's Guide for the Afterlife"
• Building genuine creative relationships with fellow artists instead of constantly chasing validation from industry gatekeepers
• Leveraging community support to maintain creative independence and ownership of artistic properties
• Transforming personal trauma into art that connects with audiences seeking authentic representation
• Using "all parts of the buffalo" – drawing on diverse experiences from computer science to improv to create unique work
When the LA wildfires tore through Sandeep Parikh's neighborhood, destroying over 9,000 structures and rendering countless homes uninhabitable from toxic contamination, he faced the ultimate test of resilience. But true to his nature as a creator, he found ways to transform disaster into opportunity.
From the ashes of displacement, Sandeep co-founded Eaton Fire Residents United, a grassroots organization mapping the spread of dangerous toxins through affected neighborhoods when institutional support fell short. This community-driven approach mirrors his philosophy as a filmmaker – finding unconventional paths when traditional structures fail.
That spirit of innovation has defined Sandeep's career, from his early days breaking ground with web series like "The Guild" and "Legend of Neil," to his current success crowdfunding culturally authentic projects like "DesiQuest" and "Vidhya's Guide for the Afterlife." He reveals the strategic thinking behind these campaigns, including a brilliant live improv show that served as both entertainment and fundraising event.
Beyond financial success, Sandeep values the creative independence this model provides. After spending ten years fighting to regain rights to earlier work, he cherishes maintaining ownership of his art while building direct connections with passionate audiences. His journey demonstrates how authentic community building can replace traditional gatekeeping in entertainment.
Throughout our conversation, Sandeep shares invaluable wisdom for creators navigating uncertain terrain – the importance of establishing genuine relationships with fellow artists, using "all parts of the buffalo" by drawing on diverse life experiences, and measuring success through depth of audience connection rather than conventional metrics. Even in disaster's wake, he shows how creativity can thrive through resilience, community, and unwavering authenticity.
Join this powerful exploration of creative perseverance in the face of unprecedented challenges, and discover how disaster can become a springboard for your most meaningful work yet.
Check out Vidhya's Guide for the Afterlife on Kickstarter and follow Sandeep's journey through his Patreon where you can join his community of supporters

Website: https://www.position2.com/podcast/
Rajiv Parikh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivparikh/
Sandeep Parikh: https://www.instagram.com/sandeepparikh/

Email us with any feedback for the show: [email protected]

Chapters

1. Introduction to Sandeep Parikh (00:00:00)

2. LA Wildfires: Devastation and Displacement (00:08:52)

3. Building Resilience Through Community Support (00:17:21)

4. Challenges to Hollywood and Creative Solutions (00:31:29)

5. Crowdfunding Creativity: DesiQuest to Vidya's Guide (00:43:15)

6. Finding Authenticity in Cultural Storytelling (00:57:15)

7. The Creative Journey from CS to Filmmaking (01:12:44)

8. The Spark Tank Word Association Game (01:22:15)