RIYADH: Making a living out of creating TikTok videos is risky, but Abdulaziz Khojah quit his job as an electrical engineer to pursue a career as a content creator on the social media platform.
Khojah, who has been on TikTok for just a year, has garnered 1.7 million followers by reviewing movies and TV shows, and giving ratings and recommendations in 60 seconds or less.
“I like to be different, and I realized that I love doing videos and making content, and I work hard to make my videos unique so people will remember me,” he told Arab News.
“As a content maker, it is very natural for people to follow me because of the content I provide, and I developed the content and made it simple and easy for people who love movies and series,” Khojah said.
Initially, Khojah shared acting videos on TikTok before becoming a critic.
“When the lockdown happened because of the pandemic, I entered social media as an actor, but I was not enjoying what I was doing. I felt that there was something better and stronger (that) I could bring. I came back after several months with the idea of presenting and reviewing films and series in a smart, fast, and concise way so that it reaches the viewer and does not waste their time,” Khojah said.
Now Khoja gets requests to review movies, even new ones. He is also asked to interview the cast and crew of the movies.
“I was nominated to be the first official presenter of IGN Middle East, which is what got me to the position I had always envisioned, and allowed me to meet celebrities from both the Arab and American film industries,” he said.
Khojah believes it is important for the new generation to consider getting into movie production.
“The field of films and cinema is an open and unending world that does not depend on a specific idea. It is an open sea for people interested in this field, whether actors, producers, or directors.”
On his future, Khojah is now working on carving out his name in the film industry in any capacity. “I want to have my name in the world of cinema in terms of being a director, writer, or actor, whether a movie, series, or presenter of a particular program in this field on one of the channels.”
As the Saudi Film Commission develops a national strategy to support and foster the long-term growth of a sustainable Saudi film industry and cultural sector, Khojah is optimistic about the future of Saudi films and production within the Kingdom.
