Mithil: Framing the Vision

Mithil Rajeev’s Unorthodox Eye

INTERVIEW BY: EMILY ARAUZA

FEB 10th  2025

“I don’t even know how someone doesn’t look at the world like that—you’re able to build a real love for life when you can find poetry and beauty in every aspect of it.” Mithil Rajeev’s perspective isn’t just about filmmaking; it’s about seeing the world in a way that transforms the mundane into the cinematic.

At just 22, Rajeev has carved out his space as a director and cinematographer in Houston’s creative scene, working on everything from personal projects to brand campaigns—and now, a commercial for Apple Music. His work is defined not by rigid rules but by an instinctive, ever-evolving eye for storytelling. Without formal schooling, he’s built his craft through relentless self-education, an uncompromising vision, and an acute awareness of what makes an image resonate.

In this conversation, we dive into his journey—from drawing comics as a kid to directing high-profile campaigns—unpacking the discipline, passion, and creative selectiveness that drive him forward.

Mithil Rajeev: “Hey, My man is Mithil Rajeev,  I’m a Director/Cinematographer based out of Houston Texas!”

Emily Arauza: “Welcome to Houston Next Up. Let’s get started—what kind of projects have you worked on recently?”

MR: “Quite a few actually. Outside of my usual personal projects, I’ve been working on a project set to release in February around the themes of love (of course, because of Valentine’s Day).

I’ve been fully immersing myself in a direction towards commercial and brand campaign work.

I worked on a few projects with one of my close friends named Chris, who runs a brand out here in Houston called ‘Awful World Wide’ these past few months. They really helped me try new techniques in the way I shoot, edit, and sequence projects in a storytelling aspect but also marketable for a brand.

I’m also set to release my first-ever commercial work I’ve ever had a chance to be the director on later this month for Apple Music! Having to keep this a secret for 3+ months has been brutal, but I’m so excited to finally showcase something that totally shows my capabilities as a director when the right budget and trust are given to me!”

EA: “Wow, you’re working on increíble projects and it’s awesome to see you evolving and branching into commercial and brand campaigns, especially with big names like Apple Music—congrats on that! It must feel amazing to have the chance to really showcase your direction and abilities.So, just out of curiosity—how old are you? How did you get started in this world of cinematography? Was there a particular moment or experience that ignited this passion for you?”

MR: “I’m 22, I don’t have any “formal schooling” or what not when it comes to it but I've always had a camera with me since maybe like early middle school. I used to make little comic books at school early on when I was a kid and I remember every month when me and my family would go see a movie in theaters it would get me so excited to draw little stories that reminded me of how the films felt. Eventually I remember my parents getting a camera to capture our family vacations which made me so eager to figure out how to make little videos. It then turned into a hobby where I would make little videos together so I would be able to show my parents or friends at school. In reality the fact I never really gave it up is what brought me to this particular moment.”

EA: “That’s incredible—it’s clear that storytelling has always been second nature to you, evolving from comic books to filmmaking in such an organic way. The fact that you never let go of that passion speaks volumes. Without formal schooling, what have been some of the most defining moments in your journey? Were there any particular projects or experiences that truly shaped your perspective as a director?”

MR: “Spending countless hours on youtube when I was in highschool trying to learn every and all things related to this field and more. The most defining thing was mainly cause I tried to make sure I knew things just as everyone else I would look up to, but I don’t really give credit to any single project but the things I learned on all my sets regardless of what role I played really shaped a lot of what I know now. every project really gave me a moment to soak in new information.”

EA: “That kind of self-driven learning is invaluable—it takes real discipline to seek out knowledge on your own and ensure you’re on par with those you admire. There’s something to be said about learning through experience, too; every set, every role, and every challenge adds another layer to your craft. What’s been one of the most unexpected lessons you’ve picked up along the way—something you didn’t anticipate but ended up shaping the way you approach your work?”

MR: “I don’t know if it’s unexpected but a lesson i’m still managing to learn is to balance life with everything else creative. It always feels like a game of having multiple personalities in different aspects of life to uphold everything. as much as I don’t let it affect one another it’s a real effort. I do believe it helps me have a very different aspect in the way I pursue things when it comes to art. I’m very picky and learned to not always do projects just cause. If it doesn’t align or reflect my interests and style I tend to pass. Being strict with this idea has for sure helped me slowly solidify my personal style and ‘aesthetic’ to my work.”

EA: “That balance is definitely one of the hardest things to navigate, especially when creativity is so deeply intertwined with who you are. It makes sense that having to juggle different aspects of life would shape your artistic perspective—almost like it forces you to be more intentional with your work.

That level of selectiveness is key, though. Staying true to your style rather than taking on projects just for the sake of it is what sets apart artists with a clear, recognizable voice. How would you describe your aesthetic? Is there a particular feeling or visual language you aim to evoke in everything you create?”

MR: “I walked into that one question I have no idea how to answer. Mainly cause I don’t have this blueprint or set things I do when I start a project. People always tell me how they always know when it’s me filming something. I don’t think it’s anything particular. I just think it’s just being strict to making sure the image looks as good as something that would be released as a film. Which I know is a basic answer but I really can never pinpoint what my “style” is. The only thing I know I do is consume a LOT of media and referencesI think doing that for almost 4 years (everyday) has helped me kinda know exactly what I like and don’t like. I’ve managed to build a folder/drive throughout these years where I save things I like visually, almost 1500 days worth of stuff.”

EA: “That instinctive approach is interesting—it’s like your style is less about strict rules and more about a refined eye that’s been shaped over time. Having a personal archive that spans nearly 1,500 days is impressive. Since you’ve spent years curating visuals and developing your taste, do you find yourself drawn to certain themes or moods repeatedly in your work, even if unintentionally?”

MR: “Very much unintentionally but I sometimes feel like I always see the world in frames, though I don’t have a name or direct thing I can say is that theme but I always feel like things have to look and framed where if I was to paint that certain image it would be cohesively shown and almost pleasant to look at in terms of framing & composition.”

EA: “That makes a lot of sense—it’s like your eye is naturally trained to find balance and intention in every frame, whether you’re behind the camera or just observing the world around you. It’s less about following a specific theme and more about capturing moments in a way that feels visually complete.Do you think this way of seeing the world influences how you experience everyday life? Like, do you ever find yourself mentally composing shots even when you’re not working on a project?”

MR: “All the damn time, it’s kind insane cause I will be on a date or out with friends and mentally be like “that would look cool” but it’s kinda fun, I mean I don’t even know how someone doesn’t look at the world like that, you’re able to build a real love for life when you can find poetry and beauty in every aspect it.”

EA: “That perspective is really powerful—it’s like you’re always engaged in the art of observation, which probably gives your work a unique depth.

Are there any filmmakers, artists, or even specific films that have deeply influenced the way you see and create? Or has it been more about pulling bits of inspiration from everywhere over time?”

MR: “Very much pulling inspiration from bits and pieces from everything, but I’ve always looked up to and drawn real inspiration from Theo Skudra.”

EA: “That makes sense—pulling from a wide range of influences probably keeps your work feeling fresh and dynamic.What is it about Theo Skudra’s work that resonates with you? Is it his visual style, the way he captures moments, or something else entirely?”

MR: “Just the visual style of how he shoots everything on film but in a very unorthodox way draws to me! His ability to get particular frames in places you wouldn't expect is so important to me!”

EA: “That’s really interesting—there’s something raw and intentional about shooting on film, and the unpredictability of framing in unexpected places adds such a distinct feel. On a more personal note, has there been a specific moment in your journey where you felt like, “Yeah, this is exactly what I’m meant to be doing?””

MR: “Very much when I render out the final version of a project and I sit and watch it over and over again cause I can't believe I made it from an idea I had from my imagination.”

EA: “Do you ever go back and watch your older work? If so, how does it feel to see how far you’ve come?”

MR: “All the time! I love that my account on Instagram is a timeline of how much I've progressed from the very beginning. As much as I like to discredit myself due to my feeling of imposter syndrome, I'm very proud of my growth. I can't imagine where I'll be in the next 5-10 years if my dedication and growth continue.”

EA: “Acknowledging imposter syndrome but not letting it overshadow the progress you’ve made.

If you could fast-forward 10 years and see yourself at the peak of your career, what would that look like for you? What’s the ultimate vision?”

MR: “I really wish I knew what that would look like. But I didn't even expect to be here in this position, ten years back. But maybe I'll be in a position with a team that allows me to create things I would've never imagined I’d do.”

EA: “That’s a great perspective—staying open to possibilities while pushing your creative limits.

Before we wrap this up, do you have any advice for aspiring filmmakers or creatives who are just starting out?”

MR: “My one advice is to always be critical of your work and the product you release into the public.

Not everything you'll make will be good. Not everything needs to be shared. If you're not able to identify when what you've created isn't to a level of quality that is to par, then you'll never be able to truly learn and grow with each project. Be your biggest critic, and be able to have people around you who also know how to criticize your work. And most importantly take all of it and learn from it!”