Interview Series

1. If you could live out your WILDEST dream with no fear of failure, what would you be doing?

Well, I feel compelled to delineate that I have indeed begun to live my wild dream as a filmmaker, but maybe I don’t quite realize it on the daily because as we all know, “it’s a long way to the top, if you want to rock n roll”. But in the last 3 years since I turned 18 and moved back to New York City where I was born, I think I’ve come a long way— especially in lieu of covid-19, and I’ve been fortunate in having a good run considering.

I’ve honestly never struggled with a “fear of failure” per se, perhaps down to how fanatical and obsessive I am. If one thing falls through in the making of one of my films or music videos, there’s always some procured alternative which I impulsively jump to because I’m so utterly incapable of even considering a reality where the mission isn’t accomplished. And you gotta stick it to that ticking clock!

The position, as I aspire and envision, is to be adapting my two 30 minute shorts Sinner’s Lullaby and Dissolved Girl into major feature length motion pictures. And then hopefully to expand Dissolved Girl into a trilogy, and into various other adaptations like comic-books, cartoons, video-games etc. Maybe one day even some action figures and Halloween costumes! We’ll see.

I’m currently early in pre-production on the feature length version of Sinner's Lullaby; a gothic neo-noir, which follows the troubled front woman of the eponymous Sinner’s Lullaby rock band, who moonlights as private detective… and her girlfriend, a wholesome cabaret singer; as the two band together both combatively and musically, and on the eve of Halloween, when the criminal underworld plaguing their city is mysteriously overthrown by an even greater menace. Very much inspired by one of my filmmaking bibles, The Crow (1994), whilst striving to revive the spirit of classic mystery or detective films by Alfred Hitchcock.

We recently had the tremendous honor of welcoming aboard Kim & Kathryn Kluge, the score composers of Silence (2016) by Martin Scorsese. They’ve also written for musical legends ranging from jazz classical icon Branford Marsalis to the great violinist Midori. Such a beautiful couple who are an honor to converse with and I can’t wait to work with them. Kim and I are alike in how we both grew up in provincial areas, but stood by our artistic ambitions and were all the better for it. Having grown up in middle America as a Korean-American, Kim has a unique perspective that informs his work with Kathryn— their music derives from a passionate conviction that people of different backgrounds can share the essence of their humanity through artistic expression. A conviction most definitely reflected in the screenplay of Sinner’s Lullaby and its two heroes. I was blown away by their album for Silence and their breathtakingly adaptive sensibilities throughout and in their discography, so I’m bouncing off the walls just imagining what aims to be a very eclectic score for a music driven film. A comic-book inspired gothic neo-noir opera amalgamating cabaret numbers, headbanging rock riffs, and angel choirs… I think there’ll be something in there for everyone. So tell your mom!

There are also a number of musicians or bands I dream to collaborate with on music videos or soundtrack inclusions. My dream would be to welcome aboard the awe-inspiring rock goddess Taylor Momsen and her band The Pretty Reckless for an original soundtrack single collaboration on my next picture. I recently had the honor of meeting Taylor during her acoustic set at the 92nd Street Y and got to chat with her for a moment about rockin’ movie soundtracks and hear that perspective firsthand from a rock musician, let alone my favorite rock musician! It was so fitting too because I’d first discovered The Pretty Reckless when I precociously went to see my first R-rated movie on the big screen at age 9, which was Kick-Ass (2010), featuring their hit “Make Me Wanna Die''. It was such a spiritual nourishment in hearing how she very much felt that same rapport for soundtracks and we both agreed that the music was ultimately what can make or break the picture. Super cool gal and a beautiful person. She was very sweet and wished me luck on my next film… which has got to have The Pretty Reckless on the soundtrack, right?! We’ll see. Fingers crossed.

I’d also love to feature recent material by Evanescence, Rob Zombie, Nine Inch Nails, Halestorm, Slipknot, and Garbage. In spirit, a jukebox musical, but instead of singing and dance choreography… it’s all rockin’ over ass-kicking and martial arts choreography!

2. What is the most memorable, funniest, or craziest thing that has happened to you on your entertainment journey?

On the set of Dissolved Girl, I accidentally broke the prop princess mirror which we see our eponymous hero doing up her makeup and costume in during the climactic suit-up rock montage and finale shot. After a moment of despair, the cast, crew, and I all ascertained that the spidered mirror was a dissonance which actually fit this character better and was more atmospherically appropriate. I was reminded of the late, great Brandon Lee’s suit montage via broken mirror as Eric Draven in The Crow, being one of my favorite films and greatest inspirations, I quickly reimagined that sequence as something of an homage. It also made for a proper epic reveal in how her face is obstructed, but then we see it in proper profile in the next shot as she rises up and the camera widens. We wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. The happiest of accidents!

3. Congratulations! You just hit the lottery for 100 million dollars! What do you spend it on?

I’d try my best to judiciously self-fund my own feature films or music videos, but also the work of other up & coming filmmakers or musicians who need a hand. Especially the folks whose work I feel underrated. I often find myself feeling most passionate or spiritual about the art I feel is under appreciated and make a point to be most vocal or supportive of that in my everyday interactions, but with that insane budget, I’d definitely try running some major promotions to get work and names of certain close colleagues out there and perpetuate some sort of zeitgeist for them. We’ve got to stick together!

4. Do you have any hidden talents or party tricks?

I have a condition that is not unlike a photographic memory when it comes to time and exact dates, this used to be a spectacle as a youngster to amuse the adults at dinner parties where I’d name all 20+ James Bond movies in chronological order, the years they were released, and the directors of each, or AC/DC’s discography in order by year, or even recite entire monologues from films I probably should’ve have been watching yet at that early age… but as I’ve grown into an adult, I have people telling me (re: semi-photographic memory) that I could’ve been a lawyer. I can also do impressions of Cruella De Vil, Beetlejuice, and Otto Mann (the bus driver from The Simpsons.)

5. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Well at the time of this interview, I’ve just turned 21 so I’m still quite young. To be retroactively giving advice to my tiny self, any of which I’m probably still learning to follow in the present— I don’t know… got to practice before you preach, right haha? If anything, as my young self right now, I'm all ears looking for constructive advice or wisdom. At the same time, in opposition to knowledge that may come from someone older as a consolation or cautionary tale in a moment of despondence, I really hope to gain knowledge firsthand by going out into the world and living out my aspirations when it comes to work, art, or relationships with others. As great or educational as it is for people to show you certain parts of their path, I also feel as though you’ve got to learn by walking your own— even if and especially when the road gets bumpy.