In October last year, in preparation for a Film Discussion Forum I organised: "Film-making in the Vietnamese Diaspora" held at Fairfield School of Arts, I had the chance of catching up with Australian film director Khoa Do to ask him for some thoughts in the topic. Now, in celebrating the upcoming world premiere of "MOTHERFISH", I'd like to post up some of his interesting comments:Did you want to become a film-maker as a child?
No, I spent too much time "cat chi" to think about films. But I've always loved telling stories. I used to tell stories in class, write stories and make up stories.
What are the challenges involved in film-making?
1. You can't eat durian on your film set because your cinematographer will drop the camera.
2. You can't film a sunrise scene with Vietnamese actors because they will all come half an hour late, after the sun has risen.
3. You can't have a chinese chess set on your film set because the Vietnamese actors will all be playing chess instead of acting.
4. You can't have Joseph Dinh on set as he makes everything Vietnamese.
What would you like to see in the future of the Viet film industry ?
Highly original, truthful stories with amazing performances and compelling narratives. Stories that express a unique and distinct Vietnamese voice.
What advice could you give to young people aspiring to enter the film industry?
1. Study hard to get into medicine.
2. If you don't get into medicine, try dentistry.
3. If you don't get into dentistry, try accounting.
4. If you can't count, try filmmaking
No, I spent too much time "cat chi" to think about films. But I've always loved telling stories. I used to tell stories in class, write stories and make up stories.
What are the challenges involved in film-making?
1. You can't eat durian on your film set because your cinematographer will drop the camera.
2. You can't film a sunrise scene with Vietnamese actors because they will all come half an hour late, after the sun has risen.
3. You can't have a chinese chess set on your film set because the Vietnamese actors will all be playing chess instead of acting.
4. You can't have Joseph Dinh on set as he makes everything Vietnamese.
What would you like to see in the future of the Viet film industry ?Highly original, truthful stories with amazing performances and compelling narratives. Stories that express a unique and distinct Vietnamese voice.
What advice could you give to young people aspiring to enter the film industry?
1. Study hard to get into medicine.
2. If you don't get into medicine, try dentistry.
3. If you don't get into dentistry, try accounting.
4. If you can't count, try filmmaking
(c) copyright 2009 - Joseph Hieu Dinh. Please seek permission before duplication in any form.
Back row (L2R): Myself, Khoa Do & Tri Vo (President of Vietnamese Community)
Photo: Khoa Do's 30th Birthday
Photo: Khoa Do's 30th Birthday
Back row (L2R): Vico Thai ("MotherFish" actor), Guido Gonzales & Shane MacDonald ("Footy Legends") and myself
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment