Film Directors Workshop

Gavin Lim

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FILM INTERVIEWS
UPDATED MONTHLY

Film Directors Workshop

“FilmDirectorsWorkshop” Podcast “FilmDirectorsWorkshop” is a podcast where Singaporean and some regional directors and crew talk about filming in Singapore. Each episode features a different director and crew shining a light on their projects and their journey into filmmaking.

DEC 18

FDW Ep18 Talking with Director Kumaran Sundaram

On set Ebi Shankara and Eswari Gunasagar were gushing over this new show called ‘Karuvanam’ on Vasantham in early Dec, and I took a peek and was blown away. I had to meet one of the guys behind this. We chatted, and it’s not often that I get back so much from listening to this younger, serious filmmaker. He was so bent on not having his photo for this podcast that all he gave me was this blurry photo. I could have stolen one from the ether, but I’ll honour his direction. Kumaran Sundaram is an award-winning Writer/Director with over a decade’s experience. After studying film, he directed and wrote acclaimed works like Oh Butterfly, which won a Global Tamil Series Excellence Award at Edison Awards 2024. His MMA-themed drama Achamillai Manamae (Fearless Heart) won Best Direction at the New York Film and TV Awards 2023 and was nominated at the UK’s Content Innovation Awards. Jillendru Oru Kalavaram (Happy Chaos), streaming on Netflix, garnered recognition. With credits on platforms like Viu and Discovery, he has produced programs internationally and aims to deliver life-changing stories, touching hearts one decisive moment at a time.

55 min
AUG 16

Film Directors Workshop Ep17 - Director Djinn (2023)

Recorded in late 2023, I had the privilege to talk to Djinn in a noisy cafe in Sim Lim Square, before she rushed off flying back to LA- hence the aggressive background noise cancelling-sorry. We owe Djinn and all those involved with the Movie, Perth- for pioneering Singapore indie films in 2004, when it was a lot more difficult to write, produce, direct and distribute a feature film. A great person to chat with. Lots to share. In this episode, we're diving deep into the world of Singaporean filmmaker Djinn Ong, best known for her film Perth. Djinn takes us on a journey through her unconventional path into filmmaking, starting with her work at the Economic Development Board (EDB) to her experiences in the Hong Kong film industry and eventually into directing. From casting actors off the street to balancing the constraints of low-budget filmmaking, Djinn shares candid stories about working with actors like Sunny Pang, working with producer Juan Foo, her passion for telling authentic Singaporean stories, and the challenges of bringing independent films to life. Join us as Djinn reflects on her creative process, the evolving landscape of local cinema, and her thoughts on the future of filmmaking in Singapore and beyond. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring filmmakers and anyone interested in the intricacies of storytelling through film. [00:00:17] How Djinn found the female lead for Perth [00:01:56] Casting Sunny Pang [00:04:28] Creating the Film 'Perth' [00:05:51] Journey into Film Directing [00:06:55] Djinn began in early EDB promoting Creative Industries i.e Film [00:10:34] Writing a paper for the establishment of a Singapore Film Commission [00:11:31] Djinn tries an Indiana Jones type job [00:11:47] How Djinn got involved with Yonfan’s Bugis Street [00:13:20] Transition to the US and Short Films [00:17:29] Working in HongKong Film Industry what's the last thing you did, like [00:18:52] Not directing for a while [00:19:33] Reflections on Directing and Storytelling [00:20:53] Balancing Local and Global Storytelling [00:22:57] Returning Home: Reconnecting with Local Cinema [00:23:32] Character Development and Inspiration [00:24:35] The Joys and Struggles of Low-Budget Filmmaking [00:27:07] What Djinn looks for from a DP [00:31:02] Casting Authentic Characters [00:37:27] The Importance of a Good Production Team [00:41:33] Impactful Small Sequences [00:42:42] Exploring Global Cinema [00:43:41] Asian American Productions [00:48:16] Challenges in Production [00:54:46] Directing and Actor Performance [01:05:22] Encouragement for Independent Filmmakers

1h 7m
APR 9

FDW EP16 Talking with Director James Lee - 2023

I had the pleasure of talking to James Lee late last year, and this long podcast episode is the result. I can't tell you how much I learned in these 1.6 hours. James Lee is such a filmmaking dynamo. He's precise, generous in sharing and loaded with filmmaking stories and anecdotes. I don't want to swing the overused word 'masterclass" here but I can’t tell you how much I learned in these 1.6 hours. James Lee, an esteemed filmmaker originating from Malaysia, made his mark in the world of theater before transitioning seamlessly into the forefront of indie digital video filmmaking. Proficient in directing, producing, and acting, he has garnered international acclaim with awards at prominent film festivals in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Philippines, and Singapore. James became a focal point at the 9th Deauville Asian Film Festival in France, solidifying his status as a pioneer in digital filmmaking. Noteworthy accolades include the prestigious Cannes Silver Lion Award in 2016 for his compelling work on "Last Day of School." James Lee's influence extends beyond the screen, evident in his role as a speaker at TEDxKL in 2015, where he shared valuable insights into the evolving narrative landscape.

1h 40m
08/22/2023

FDW EP15 Talking with Actor/ Action Director Sunny Pang - Recorded Oct 2021

FDW is back!!! Huge apologies. But FDW will be back as regular as I can keep this up. A nice slate of new activities planned and new energy an vigour. Let me clear the backlogue first. I was worried that these were recorded some time back that its not relevant coz the subjects have went on to great things BUT I found the conversation still very interesting and even more so with some hindsight. Kindly enjoy Sunny when he just came back from hobnobbing with Forest Whitaker and Tom Hardy on the set of Havoc. 1. 00:00:00 Just back from shooting in a Gareth Edwards Hollywood movie "Havoc" in UK 2. 00:00:24 How did Sunny Pang get into the industry in 1993 3. 00:03:31 1999 Sunny felt that he wanted to act more than doing ONLY stunts but after a lot of rejection, he became a bouncer in clubs. 4. 00:04:20 Sunny gets casted in 'Perth: The Geylang Massacre" 5. 00:06:19 Working with Lim Kay Tong in 'Perth' 6. 00:10:06 How disappointments affect his career 7. 00:12:47 How Perth was not seen as a commercial success 8. 00:14:04 Working with James Lee - a prominent Malaysian Director/Producer 9. 00:14:20 Working with his Sifu ?Aleelb Said - a HK/Indonesian Martial Arts Master Action Director working in Asia. 10. 00:15:16 Working with James Lee on "Call if you need me" (2009) 11. 00:17:16 Meeting Timo Tjahjanto the first time for "Night Come for Us" 12. 00:18:07 Meeting "The Raid" Gareth Evans too. 13. 00:18:25 Then "Night Come for us" production stalled during prepro training. 14. 00:18:38 Then he was approached by Timo for "Headshot" since "Night Come for Us" stalled 15. 00:20:37 Screening of "Headshot" in Toronto International Film Festival 16. 00:21:50 Sunny recalls the first day of shoot for "Headshot" 17. 00:24:30 Learning to hustle as an actor 18. 00:26:52 Importance of being independent in getting jobs 19. 00:32:44 On Singapore's potential in the international arena 20. 00:37:13 Shooting for TV in Singapore - everything is too sanitised 21. 00:41:55 Shooting 'Gareth Evans international action flick "Havoc" 22. 00:43:52 What Forest Whitaker said to him after a take on 'Havoc' 23. 00:45:09 Whats next for Sunny Pang (Nov 21) 24. 00:46:52 Working with different directors 25. 00:49:47 Working on dramatic scenes requiring more focus for Sunny Pang 26. 00:51:37 Working with Indonesian Directors like Timo and Gareth 27. 00:52:42 An actor needs to understand the script well before shooting 28. 00:53:49 On rehearsals 29. 00:54:18 Rehearsal Process with Malaysian Director Zahir Omar 30. 00:55:35 Was there lots of rehearsals for 'Havoc'? 31. 00:56:59 Next projects (Nov 21) 32. 01:00:48 His experience working with Anri Okita a Japanese AV star 33. 01:04:47 His take on crying or emotional scenes 34. 01:01:08 On acting, no actinga nd over acting 35. 01:11:19 Sunny Pang on Inspector Han one of his memorable popular roles 36. 01:12:10 Sunny Pang's management style with Ronin Action Group 37. 01:15:23 About the 'Macho Man' in asian cinema 38. 01:22:16 About being open in the industry 39. 01:26:27 How was Craft Services on 'Havoc'?

1h 27m
05/24/2021

FDW EP13 Talking with Director Wee Li Lin - Part 1 of 2

Featuring our prolific Filmmaker Wee Li Lin. This was recorded last June when we were coming out of a CB and we may be heading towards a new CB as we speak.It's ironic that it is twelve months apart- nothing has changed much and yet everything did. She has of course done a lot more since but this series serves to a be a time-librarian of filmmakers in flux. Think its highly relevant and always cool to hang out with WLL- Our WW fllmmaker. 00:5:00 intros 00:39 "Such an effort to document and revise your showreel." 01:00 On how LiLin decided to put her showreel in order 01:32 How doing a showreel made her feel 'better about her work' 02:14 "when you put it together then you realise on you can do waht you do" 02:33 Overall Consistency in her body of work 03:46 How she conceive the short film title "Areola Borealis" 04:15 The use of Dialect Cantonese in "Areola Borealis" 05:10 LiLin on her tackling the use of Cantonese even when she is not versed in the dialect 06:31 Indirectly wanting to 'pay homage to her mom' who is Cantonese. 07:27 "Areola Borealis" had more ad-libbing than her previous works 08:49 The ad-Libbing and the delivered dialogue made the work very natural 09:00 On how English 'doesn't seem natural' in our works 09:45 Mentions on "Areola Borealis" writing being tight 10:11 LiLin on whether she directs mostly her own writing or otherwise 12:12 To be hired for one's unique 'Director's Voice'- about 'Directors having free reign over the scripts' 13:00 on Her personal successful relationship with a fellow writer- Jean Tay 15:02 "Keep chipping at the same Block" again on LiLin's on the type of stories, themes , characters and outcomes. 15:40 On being a craftsman in your work 16:00 LiLin on challenging herself to do things that are not in her usual domain 16:53 About being older and pushing herself to try new stuff, genre, characters and themes. 17:25 LiLin's love for her characters. 19:20 Same same but not necessarily different and doing something different for being different sake may not be beneficial 19:28 "Always a sense of fun" in all of LiLin's works 20:03 Always the 'nerdy underdogs' in all of her works 20:31 Where LiLin psycho-anaylsesing that this theme may be form her formative years as a teenager 21:28 Beyond the eye candy pastel visuals and 80's syths, "CP Kids" was a forgotten stigmatised counter culture in SG 21:45 On how "CP Kids" was supposed to be a docudrama but she couldn't find anyone to commission it. 23:50 On her trying to emulate the fashion and style in her school days (CP Kids) totally ‘out there’ 25:50 CHIJ uniforms 26:24 Autograph vs My Autograph 2015 27:50 Time-slips and time jumps concepts 28:15 On her prolific shorts filmography-how she keeps it going 30:00 on doing personal passion projects. Thirties was occupied with two feature films and going back to school at Tisch 30:15 in her forties she decided to go back short films and how Nicholas Chee facilitated her going back to her Utter Short "That Loving Feeling" 31:04 on her time stamping her works with her own age 32:56 Talking about Box Office 'success' and the true 'merit' of the film 34:42 Looking for a local audience 35:00 End of Part One.

36 min
04/16/2021

FDW EP12 Talking with Yuni Hadi

Apologies for the long long long delay between the last episode and this. Big disclaimer is THAT: this was done in June 2020- yes-a world ago so I hope most things are still relevant. If it's not- blame me- ask for a refund. Trust me its still full of useful tips. Yuni needs no introduction to the Singapore Film Scene and her helping me with this lil podcast has certainly elevated this chat shop. So so happy she agreed to do this. Even though I think she must be regretting agreeing haha.

43 min
09/16/2020

FDW EP11 Talking with Director Don Aravind - Part 2 of 2

Episode 11 -In this episode Don talks about working with actors and DPs. Another very Director-centric episode- here he shares his experiences with- diva actors, so called trained actors n non actors. Working with CYNTHIA KOH for the first time in a Mandarin language drama. Discussing about building that trust between the director and actors. 'Working the ‘magic’. Being impressed with a young inexperienced JABU DEEN and see how he has developed so far. He also shares his varied experience working with DP SHYAN and DP MICHAEL ZAW. I have known Don since 2015 on the set of ***Tanglin***. It was Singapore's longest English TV long form series- running at more than 800 plus (half hr) episodes and it had a number of directors on board. And we were part of that. Super ep. Enjoy.

35 min
08/29/2020

FDW EP10 Talking with Director Don Aravind - Part 1 of 2

Episode 10 -In this episode Don shares his beginnings with Vasantham ***Vettai *** and Channel 5's ***Tanglin.*** I have known Don since 2015 on the set of ***Tanglin***. It was Singapore's longest English TV long form series- running at more than 800 plus (half hr) episodes and it had a number of directors on board. And we were part of that. It is super interesting for me IMHO to have two directors talking about it because strangely we seldom do- sharing our experiences coz we mostly kept to ourselves. This is one of the most Director-centric insdier talk sessh. Most of all, I love his sharing his concept of success.

35 min

“FilmDirectorsWorkshop” Podcast “FilmDirectorsWorkshop” is a podcast where Singaporean and some regional directors and crew talk about filming in Singapore. Each episode features a different director and crew shining a light on their projects and their journey into filmmaking.

Creator

Gavin Lim
Years Active

2020 - 2024
Episodes

22
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2019 Black Tactical Unit
Show Website

Film Directors Workshop