Wednesday, November 30, 2011

SorryBro (Ep.5) - Making of Potato Story

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Check out the making-of of my stop-motion short starring 3 potatoes for your post-Thanksgiving fix. If you haven't seen the original short, I've reposted the video below. Enjoy!!



Thursday, November 17, 2011



Enjoy my 1st stop-motion work!!
Please support & ask friends & fam to "like" my FB pg (http://www.facebook.com/ignatiuslin).

And please subscribe to the SorryBro channel & leave comments!

Monday, October 31, 2011

SorryBro (Ep.4) - Orange Story - Halloween



A hilarious #Halloween stop-motion short by a talented friend, Nino Buzzone. Subscribe/ stay tuned for the Thanksgiving Ep. directed by me.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Salaam Dunk - LA Film Festival



Just watched a wonderful documentary about women collegiate basketball in Iraq. These young women and their young American coach come off as 3-dimensional human beings. The traditional and social constraints they are pushing against. The transient nature of life in a war-torn country. How sports give them pride, solidarity, escape, and hope.

The director, the coach, and others involved in the movie spoke at the Q&A afterwards. Their strong bond are unmistakable. The young women have asked the director not to exhibit the film in Iraq, and the director stated that his priority is not to secure distribution deals for the movie but to do right by these women.

This film reminds me of another excellent sports doc, which I saw at SXSW -- Undefeated. The best sports stories are those that really get you to care about the people, and whether they win or lose, either way, it will be an unforgettable ending that will resonate with long after the lights go on.

Salaam Dunk

Friday, May 20, 2011

STRANGER NOW PREMIERE



The short debuted at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival on Tuesday, May 3rd to a packed audience inside the CGV theater in Korea Town. The cast, crew, and the supporters really enjoyed the whole experience from the photo call to the hanging out afterwards. 


ETTV, a global Chinese news outlet interviewed me and Cody, the boy actor, on the red carpet. We discussed the film in the context of the homelessness problem and the economic recession. I also spoke about the wonderful collaboration with Collin, who was filming in China and couldn't attend.


Abe, the co-director of the Festival & a true friend of filmmakers, conducted the post-screening Q&A. He asked some very thoughtful questions, and I thought, "Man, I better step up to the plate."


Many people stayed afterwards to chat. Here I'm with my collaborators, some of them couldn't make it for the photo call. Honestly, it was a hectic evening for me. Wave after wave of people approached me to talk. At the same time, seeing the big smile on everyone's faces made this a night impossible to forget.

Best,

Ignatius Lin

p.s. Shout out to Loïc for becoming #100 fan on my Facebook page. The page is full of breaking news, insightful analysis, updates about my adventure in filmmaking. 

Monday, May 16, 2011

Here Try This: How to evaluate your ideas

Here Try This: How to evaluate your ideas: "It is exciting to think of ideas for a new business opportunity; that's the beginning of a journey for any entrepreneurs. When you discover ..."

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

STRANGER NOW PREMIERES TONIGHT

97 Facebook shares, 5-star rating on the festival page.

STRANGER NOW (sponsored by NBC-Uni & FIND, starring Collin Chou) PREMIERES IN 12 HOURS at the LA Asian Pacific Film Festival. It is a story about an unlikely friendship between a boy and a homeless man.

We are very fortunate to be receiving international press coverage for this movie. Here are links to some of the articles, if you're interested: Ovation, SingTao, and World Journal.

Tickets are still available. We love to see you there and truly appreciate your help to spread the words. And please consider following my FB page, twitter feed, or this blog - if you aren't signed up already.


Thursday, April 28, 2011

Attending Fast Five Premier tonight in Hollywood

My brother & I won tickets to Fast Five Premier tonight in Hollywood, courtesy of YOMYOMF. Please follow us @ignatiuslin @augustus_lin if you want live updates.

We are hoping to meet Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, The Rock, Justin Lin, Sung Kang, Tyrese, Jordana Brewster, Ludacris, etc. Will they be there; will we be able to?

Lastly, my short, Stranger Now, is also playing at the same LA Asian Pacific Film Festival. No cars or action, but does have Collin Chou (Matrix Reloaded) playing against type as a homeless man. Please check it out! Or for more info/updates here.



Monday, April 25, 2011

Ovation Interviews Filmmaker Ignatius Lin - Ovation Audio track



Ovation TV, a company founded by the producer of National Treasure, interviewed me last week about Stranger NowThe Zone, my background and directorial style. I also provided some advice for beginning filmmaker.

It was an honor to be interviewed. I think I said "you know" and "um" too much during the interview!! Haha. Please check it out & share it. Here is the interview.

Ovation has a short film contest, deadline May 13! Check it out!!

Lastly, a reminder, Stranger Now premiers in theater on May 3rd. Details here.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Video Games/Anime Spree

Last week, my animator buddy, Joseph, found 2 video games/anime/comics stores in Culver City (same owner, stores right next to each other). We and my wife went to check them out.

Joseph dived right into the video games covered from wall-to-wall. I was a bit disappointed because besides awful sports games, it didn't appear to have much Super Ninendo/Famicom games (the only console I still own - since WAY back). I lost my Sega Genesis, Game Boy, and Nintendo Famicom (red/white machine) systems when I moved.



After an hour, Joseph said a little sheepishly that he wanted to check out the sister store. At first glance, the store offered mostly DVD's and Blue-Ray's, but Joseph found huge stacks of Japanese imported PS2 games in the corner. As I sauntered about, I looked inside the store's glass counter more closely and discovered about 20 Super Famicom games.

I was intrigued and asked the store clerk to take them out. As I saw the titles, I began to salivate. Presented to me were several great games I remembered playing from my childhood--五右衛門 (Goemon), 幽遊白書(Yuyuhakusho)--and several that I wanted--Dragonquest, NBA Jam, etc. Can you imagine how I felt as I held them in my hands? I couldn't stop talking about the games and recalling stories of my days as an avid video game player. Please allow me to briefly introduce some of them. 

Goemon allows you the simple pleasure of being the Japanese Robin Hood, walking around and whacking people with a smoking pipe. (Or being his slapstick, happy-go-lucky thief sidekick.)
 

NBA Jam: As sports games become more and more realistic, one's nostalgia for fantastical sports games can't help but amplify. NBA Jam really is the grandfather of such sub-genre. When a player is "on fire," his ball is literally "on fire." FLYING to the basket, LEAPING, TWIRLING, 360 DEGREES, SLAM-DUNKING the hell out of the rim.


Dragon Quest: fantasy genre RPG game. Most notable for the fact that 鳥山明 (Akira Toriyama, Dragonball creator) serves as the character designer for the game. Any true Dragonball fan should be barely able to contain himself/herself when looking at the beautiful game cover.


That day was truly awesome. I really need to thank Joseph for finding the place and my wife for sharing my excitement. While anime and video games have their own strict genre rules, I took away from the visit a feeling of creative freedom and excitement -- that arts can & should go anywhere. They should excite, entertain, and challenge their audience. This applies to cinema. The excitement that I felt as a kid is the type of excitement that I, as a filmmaker, MUST impart on my audience.    

Launch Party - Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival

Had a GREAT time attending the festival's launch party at the swanky Solair's Sky Deck in Koreatown, courtesy of the festival.

My short, Stranger Now, is premiering at the festival on Tuesday, May 3rd, 9pm. I feel very honored. Invitations to parties are one of the perks. My wife, my friend (Joseph), the producer/writer (Paul) and I had a blast. DJ setting the right mood. Open bar. Free appetizers. I had a Kirin, and we ate crab cakes and sweet pork buns (my fav. at the party).

The best thing was I got to hang out with my wife, my friends, and some AMAZING filmmakers. People come up with creative names for their projects, like Kosher Pig and Confession of a Nice Guy.

Next week, I'll be doing some press interviews for the film. Very excited and a little nervous. Wish me luck, and I look forward to "talking" to you again.   

For more info about the Stranger Now screening, including ticketing, please click here.

I'll be blogging, facebooking, and tweeting during the festival. You can follow me via twitter or facebook.




(with Joseph, who just finished working on the Green Lantern)


(screen shot of Stranger Now playing as a part of the festival official trailer)

(with Erin, who also has a short in the fest)

(with Paul, actor/producer/writer - triple threat)



Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Elizabeth Taylor - Reaction in Hollywood and among the Chinese-American Community

The World Journal Daily (世界日報) did a touching article on the effect of Taylor's passing on her fans and those in Hollywood, and I was interviewed for the piece. I appreciate the chance to share my thoughts on such a legend. Taylor brought such depth and simple grace to her characters. RIP. 

-- Ignatius Lin


Link to article, here. Courtesy of Kate Huang @ World Journal

Saturday, February 26, 2011

One of Biggest Snub of the Oscar: Justin Timberlake in The Social Network

Alright, I have been waiting for people to say something about this for months now, but no one has stepped forward. So here I am to state: it is a SHAME that Justin Timberlake has been overlooked in this award season.

I am not a big fan of his, but when I walked out of the theater after the screening, I said to my family and friends his performance is exhilarating. He IS the character Sean Parker, and he spits out every line of the dialogues that no doubt makes Aaron Sorkin proud. He breathes life into this role and compels the audience to believe that the story could not have unfolded in any other way!

I cannot wait for Timberlake to sink his teeth into another meaty role in the near future. He has propelled himself to the ranks of the most exciting young actors today. 



Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Stranger Now Featured on Actor Access Mobile's Preview Page


I feel so blessed to receive such cool exposure on Actors Access, one of the biggest casting services in North America. I found out about this last week from my actor friend, Tiger Sheu.

I have received an outpouring of support from many friends and family members regarding this news and the film, which has made this unexpected exposure that much sweeter. I have received impassioned online messages from a family friend and a fellow filmmaker! When I found out that a HS classmate of mine recommended Stranger Now to her friends, I allowed myself to enjoy a sense of accomplishment. This is one of the highest form of compliments an artist can receive. I'm thinking about my fellow filmmakers and supporters who helped make this film happen. I am filled with joy.

If you're interested, the movie is now available on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/13828287). Here is the official FB page.

By the way, I hope to join Tiger at the SXSW premier of his film, Blacktino, produced by producer of Spy Kids and Sin City (by Robert Rodriguez) and starring Danny Trejo and Jeff Fahey. Big CONGRATS to Tiger!


Monday, February 21, 2011

The Spirit of Independence: Oscar-nominated Indie Films

A very cool event going down this Wednesday night. Directors from the Oscar-nominated The Kids Are All Right, Winter's Bone, and Rabbit Hole will speak candidly about their crafts.

Here's a glimpse of the talk 2 weeks ago given by the Oscar-winning director of The Exorcist and The French Connection.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Teaching Writing-- Easy. Writing-- Hard!

I teach writing to HS and college students, which often illuminates the writing process for me. It is almost shocking to hear advise that you dispense so easily to others, that are so difficult to follow when writing by yourself.

The first obstacle many students face is writer's block. I tell them begin at the rough draft stage. "Did you brainstorm?" I'd ask. I say it is too early to worry about grammar. Brainstorm, writing in fragments, bullet points, the easiest, simplest way that'll allow you to put your thoughts down. Secondly I tell them, to spill their gut. This is definitely not the time to judge your own writing, that's for later. There will be ample opportunities later to revise what you wrote but first you have to put something down. The goal at this moment is to be creative, be free, go for the wildest ideas you have and dial it back a bit or push forward even more. You feel scared and insecure? That is normal. Professional writers have told me personally that they're terrified when they write.

I think the proper mindset can be summed up by a quote I heard today (which I'll paraphrase), "There can be no self-esteem without a sense of progress." If you expect perfection from the get-go, you will have nowhere to go, your mind will go sterile. Humble yourself and find joy in the process itself.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

The Social Network: The Sound Show

My friend, Scott, posted this invite, which I'm reposting here. Seems like an awesome opportunity to learn about sound, which is after all half of the picture as they say. Plus, this movie is absolutely one of the best of the year. 


You and your friends are invited to hear the story of the sound of the critically acclaimed movie about the creation of Facebook.

Special clips will be presented by key sonic artisans offering a rare chance to hear some of the discrete audio elements that were connected into a network of aural information.

AND this unique presentation will be made at the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood, a venue that prides itself on offering the best in sight and sound technology.

Want to know what’s better than a million bits of digital sound? 
A BILLION bits of digital sound presented by the people who helped make them!

Sharing their craft and experience will be supervising sound editor/sound designer Ren Klyce, re-recording mixers David Parker and Michael Semanick, picture editors Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall, and producer Scott Rudin.

One night only!  And Free!  Friday, January 7, at 7:30 pm at the ArcLight Hollywood, 6360 West Sunset Boulevard.

RSVP to mail@mpse.org or call 818/506-7731.
Please provide your full name and any industry or school affiliation.   Seating is limited.