From R to L, Sandy Tung (DGA), Shanae (LAAPFF Exec Dir), Daniel Tenkman(DGA), Christine Yoo (director, Wedding Palace)
All the directors from the film fest were invited for free eggs/sausage/coffee and community. Enjoyed chatting with the other directors, like Christine Yoo, Soham Mehtra, Teddy Chen Culver, John Raposas and Derek Nguyen. Always cherish these conversations because directors typically work in a vacuum and in my current day job on House, sometimes I feel I have to be careful about talking like “a filmmaker,” which is weird, because in my AD capacity, I’m very much a filmmaker – for others’ visions. I think the grips and everybody else are filmmakers, too, but the studio side of the biz is funny about that. Anyway…
Dave Magdael, who co-runs the film fest, gave an inspiring speech about film and art and personal stories needing to be told. Usually in these sort of steering / diversity committee situations, the topic tends to go to the “woe is me” place. But not today. Dave had a very understated but fire in his spirit about the film fest: “work hard,” “meet and learn from each other,” and “tell your stories,” he said to us. He really impressed me.
All the sweat equity crawling up on the DGA career ladder felt validating. To see Henry Chan, Sandy Tung and Jon Larson, all of whom I knew when I started in the Guild, got me choked up. Today was pretty special.
I LOVED, LOVED LOVED the seniors who were given opps to make their films and tell their little stories. That’s what a film fest is all about. Francois Truffaut felt that films should be more autobiographical and personal. To give the tools for seventy-year old ladies making their little films. I LOVE THAT. Way to go LAAPFF!
Spent the last hour picking Henry’s brain about directing episodic TV, which was awesome, because with my AD hat on, even at the DGA, those conversations don’t come readily available. Nice to be regarded at my DGA home as a director, finally. I know, it’s only a short film, but still, I directed it, and I’m proud of our work, so, baby steps. It’s very difficult to make the transition from AD to director. The professional studio community is often a rough crowd – even from your own peers – so these kind of upward mobility / creative outlet scenarios are so critical.
So grateful to LA Asian Pacific Film Fest. So supportive to the filmmakers. They’re giving me opportunities and filmmaking experiences. And we get to meet fresh faces. Love that.
I’m having fun. The whole team is having fun. Onto the screening tonight!
V
