Meet Alijah Jacob Buada | Writer & Storyteller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alijah Jacob Buada and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alijah Jacob, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born in San Jose, California, and raised in Stockton. Both sides of my family are determined, hardworking people who always put their family first. They all instilled in me the importance of being family-oriented, goal-driven, and a role model — especially for my younger cousins. My Mount Rushmore of creative influences has to be Anthony Bourdain, Haruki Murakami, Ryo Fukui, and Wes Anderson.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I write both in short and long form, from short stories to screenplays and novels. Unlike most, I deal in the psychological genre of film. I enjoy crafting convoluted monologues and unpredictable streams of consciousness while toying with the human psyche and inviting self-reflection. Psychological drama is a delicate space, and I am most proud of how my debut short film AWAKEN conveys my directorial style. Also, I am self-taught when it comes to producing music. I enjoy composing classical, improvising jazz, and designing soundscapes. Making music and writing follow similar techniques, and I enjoy the thrills of both.

I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today without perseverance. Academically, it took a lot of mental mining and balancing to build the foundations of my early professional career. At one point, I was taking 21 units on top of an internship and working part-time. Despite the pandemic and hybrid learning, I was fortunate enough to graduate college early in three years, which has now opened me up to creative opportunities in both work and my personal life.

The greatest advice I’ve received is to always preserve my inner child. That’s done by remaining curious and asking questions. Comfort is a killer, and so I want my life path to never be too stagnant or familiar. In this life, I want the world to read my writing, hear my voice, and acknowledge my disposition as a storyteller. I am but the container of my own mind, and so when all else goes, I hope that my teachings and my art live beyond me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In San Diego, I’d definitely recommend walking the Del Mar City Beach. Inland, there’s a strip of great restaurants. When I’m there, I enjoy taking people to Bohemian Alchemist, a Turkish coffee spot. I’d also recommend Koon Thai Kitchen on Convoy for great ambiance and impeccable taste. Lastly, roaming South Park is great for eating brunch, second-hand shopping, and supporting small businesses. There, I suggest you eat at Cafe Madeleine, a savory French cafe.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shout out my former screenwriting professor Ori Elon. He opened up my heart to the art of storytelling, believed in the power of my mind, and helped locate my writing style. My favorite saying from him has to do with onions: “What happens when you peel an onion? Layer by layer, you peel and peel away until you are left with nothing more than your own tears.”

Website: https://alijahjacob.wixsite.com/twiceremoved

Instagram: @alijahbuada, @awakenfilm2023

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alijah-jacob-buada-745349210/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@alijahbuada

Other: Music: https://soundcloud.com/alijahjacob