about me
Hi, I'm William and I head up the WEB Team (Web Engagement & Banking) at Vancity, Canada's largest credit union.
My opinions and views are just that, and don't reflect the views of my employer (or, perhaps, anyone else).
I can be found on LinkedIn and Twitter.
10 years ago today.
I'm in a reflective mood today. Ten years ago today I finished shooting what would be my last film.The Engagement Party is a full-length comedy about a young couple trying to maneuver through a disastrous engagement party their families have thrown for them. I wrote, co-produced, co-edited and directed the film. I raised the money, I worked hard to try and sell it to a distributor. I spent several years of my life working on it from the beginning of the creative process of screenwriting to the nuts and bolts business side of negotiating a deal.
It's funny the course life takes. Looking back, I can see how making The Engagement Party led me on the journey I am now on.
I became disenchanted with filmmaking after producing that film. It was heartbreaking pouring so much of myself into a project that fizzled out. It fizzled out because of the competitive nature of the business, because of the lack of household name talent, because of the digital format, and, in the end, because it wasn't all that good (believe me, it wasn't). Film is such a precarious business, and I became frustrated with having to prove myself repeatedly.
The Engagement Party was a very early digital feature and experimenting on new digital formats and taking on a pioneer role opened up opportunities for me that led me deeper into new media, emerging technologies and the web, and onto my current career path. I would not be where I am if it wasn't for that film.
I was a mediocre filmmaker, but I'm a great producer. I'm good at bringing people together, getting them on the same page, inspiring them and getting them focused and all rowing in the same direction. My talents as a producer continue to serve me exceedingly well. And I love taking the entrepreneurial attitude and approach, which is a prerequisite for being a filmmaker, and applying it inside an organization I care about. Being an intrapreneur.
I wonder what I would have thought if you had told me then that ten years later I would be working at a financial institution. I probably would have been disappointed. And yet I love my job. I look forward to coming into work every day, and relish in the challenges, successes and occasional failures. I am a very lucky person to have what I have, and to have had all the experiences that brought me to this point.
Including making a digital feature film in Seattle in April of 1999 called The Engagement Party.
PS: I just realized that I have the words Director and Engagement in my title, so it's not all that different really.
Labels: azaroff
posted on Monday, April 20, 2009
12 comments
Amen brother!
comment from 
Jeremy on April 20, 2009
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Very cool William!
So what do I have to do to get a copy of said movie??? Good or bad I'm curious to see it.
Never know, could turn out to be a cult classic.
comment from 
on April 21, 2009
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Last night as she was reading this post, Amy reminded me that the cast and crew were out for celebration drinks right after we wrapped production, ten years ago yesterday, and we found out about Columbine. One of the production assistants, Blake had gone to Columbine and we all felt shocked from the bubble that is a movie set and back to the grim realities of the day.
comment from wazaroff on April 21, 2009
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Thanks Matt. Good luck finding a copy!
comment from wazaroff on April 21, 2009
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Thank goodness for that movie! If that's what it took to get William Azaroff into the credit union movement, we all owe that movie a huge debt of gratitude.
It's curious how our strengths, or perceived strengths, change as we travel through life. I'm happy you have found your niche...and hope that I can do the same.
comment from Matt, the Credit Union Warrior on April 21, 2009
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Matt, you are too kind my friend.
comment from wazaroff on April 21, 2009
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I've got a copy of the Engagement Party.... let's start the bidding at $50.
I'm selling, because as a member of William's family, I felt very wronged having not been parodied in his film.
Also, William, I think you should post the closet scene on your blog. :)
comment from Tiven on April 24, 2009
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Tiven, I'm just happy someone can profit fromn the film. Kudos!
comment from wazaroff on April 24, 2009
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Hi William (& Amy),
I was in the above mentioned film and first of all...I cannot believe it's been ten years. Ouch.
You are right William, you are a great producer. Whatever The Engagement Party did for you, mediocre as it was, I can see it was worth the effort. The "group effort", yeah?
Looks like you are flourishing now and I am thrilled for you.
All good things,
"Rivkah"
comment from on April 27, 2009
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Holy moly Maleah, nice to hear from you! Were you also thinking it had been ten years and got to Googling to find this post?
Hope you are outstanding!
comment from wazaroff on April 28, 2009
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Fascinating insights! Love this post, and totally enjoying your journey William! Raising a glass of bubbly to your past, present and future! Glad I get a glimpse of the ride, it's awesome stuff. Hope you don't mind that I find myself referencing your ground-breaking ideas and deeds from time to time, like to reporters even. :)
-Morriss Partee
EverythingCU.com
comment from 
everythingcu on May 15, 2009
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Thanks Morriss!
comment from wazaroff on May 15, 2009
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