ABOUT
“ALKIMIYA” " الخيمياء " is the Arabic word for alchemy. Dating back to 4600 BC. Greek philosophers gave credit to Mesopotamian influences to transform from basic to noble.
Alchemy is the study and use of practical means to achieve the new and unimaginable – Transforming raw metal to Gold. Magic before it was called science.
That is what ALKIMIYA STUDIOS
strives to do.
OUR TEAM
"It's about the people"
HISHAM ABAHUSAYN
Founder and Principal
"He's the guy who knows the answers”
~ Angelina Jolie and Kim Kardashian's Security Detail
Hisham’s experience with high-end productions can’t be overstated. He's worked with Apple, Facebook, and Google. Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, and Tom Ford. Madonna multiple times. Robert Downey, Jr for his first promotional shoot as Iron Man.
Upon moving from Saudi Arabia to the US in his teens, he started off as a camera tech in Los Angeles over 25 years ago, then quickly leaped up the ranks as a producer at MBC in London and AD on Disney features in NY.
Always finding his way back to LA, he fell in love with production and settled into his niche with the day-to-day operations of studio support and locations logistics. After years of dedication, in 2020 was photographed for the US Smithsonian as one of the “Masters in their Field”:
“I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time. When fashion moved away from supermodels and toward celebrities, I was managing equipment in Los Angeles at the best fashion studio in town and got a front seat to the most iconic photos taken for Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Elle it was an incredible time”
Hisham plans to create a world-renowned Studio in Saudi Arabia:
“In the same way, Pinewood studio in London has become a world-leading studio for international film productions, and Milk studio has become a bicoastal iconic fashion photography factory, I want to build an international studio that can do it all, with unlimited resources to create"
Alkimiya Studios will be the best one-stop-shop for creatives. Not just in the gulf, but in the world. Hisham brings unsurpassed experience in caring for details and situations that arise when the impossible is asked for, and handles it all with grace and ease:
“I’m dedicated to doing my part to make the vision 2030 plan a reality for production in entertainment and photography. I’m excited to reimagine the entertainment industry as it's being reborn in the kingdom. I believe everything in my life has led me to this point to take everything I’ve learned and bring it home”
Steven Khan
Creative Director
Steven and Hisham have worked together for 30 years in Los Angeles and are a dynamic and victorious team when collaborating on projects.
As the Alkimiya Studio takes shape, Steven, who grew up in Dhahran, will be providing support from our Los Angeles office for Saudi teams traveling to LA and for US teams looking to shoot in Saudi Arabia.
Over the next few years, Steven will oversee the equipment procurement as well as provide professional face-to-face support for our US clients. After years of working with design houses and VIP clients, he's our ace “hand-holding” producer, providing our signature unparalleled support for whatever challenges may arise.