Sylvester Stallone @ the Los Angeles Film Festival - Definitely NOT Expendable

Stallone was treated like a ROCK STAR at this special event where he spoke about the highs and lows of his career, analyzed his own work, and showed sneak preview clips of The Expendables.

The people in the audience idolized him. The type of questions he got during Q & A was "Mr. Stallone, you are such an inspiration to all of us. What is the secret of your success?" People cheered, and women screamed! A little girl and her dad equally excited seeing their idol! I understood what is star power, what is a loyal fan base.

               (The insightful Elvis Mitchell w/ the star Stallone)

Stallone is supreme at cultivating his hero-myth. He'd have you think that he IS Rock, he IS Rambo. That he understand the soul of underdogs, ordinary folks vying for a chance to prove their worth. "To succeed or fail on their own terms" was the way he put it. He worked the crowd with his charm, wit, intelligence, and most importantly sense of hope. Even I got swept up in the fervor in this auditorium on this night.  

World Journal Interview Part 2

Here are additional excerpts from my recent interview with World Journal, the largest Chinese-language newspaper in North America:

"Ignatius Lin has reached many creative breakthroughs with his outstanding talent and ideas. If his latest short film, Stranger's Now, wins at the Austin Film Festival, it will become eligible for an Oscar nomination. That would be a proud achievement for the Chinese-American community.

At the age of 12, Ignatius immigrated to Los Angeles with his family. He wrote, directed, and acted in many plays from junior high through high school. Unlike many people, he didn't think attending film school is a prerequisite to making movies. Instead he graduated from Amherst College with a degree in economics. He said both filmmaking and economics deal with observations of human beings and have tremendous influences on people's lives. At the same time, an economics degree helps him with the business aspect of movie-making...

                                                                          (Amherst College)

For someone whose film career appears to be progressing rather smoothly, Ignatius actually encountered many setbacks. At first, he only focused on expressing his own ideas and neglected his audience. "What are you trying to say?" were many of his audience's feedback. Suffering these disappointments helped him realize that the most important thing is the exchange that takes place between the filmmakers and their audience... 

He came to understand that a director is a leader. The most special quality director must possess is the ability to harness the talent around him/her to tell a good story. Therefore, he is very open to hearing his collaborators' inputs. A good director must know how to inspire his/her actors rather than showing them how to act... Director is like a shepherd, ensuring that the actors stay on the right course and protecting them from external distractions."

City of Torrance Cancels Open-Air Screening of Jackie Brown at the Last Moment!

The City of Torrance denies movie lovers an opportunity to celebrate together a fun movie by Quentin Tarantino that was actually shot in the city!

The awesome Alamo Drafthouse cinema chain from Austin (where you can enjoy gourmet food while enjoying the most best selections world cinema has to offer) is putting on a series of screenings across the nation that take place where the movies were actually filmed.

I have been looking forward to the Jackie Brown screening tomorrow (Friday) at Del Amo Mall in Torrance because I love Tarantino's films and I have many fond memories at that mall. I know all those locations inside the mall where the movie takes place.

Yesterday I find out that the City of Torrance refused to issue the permit on the grounds of violation of sound ordinance. The City canceled a celebration of what is great about cinema, South Bay, Torrance. I was very disappointed, and I've never felt so compelled to convey my thoughts to any government officials before. I emailed the City and its mayor. Here it is:

World Journal Interview

World Journal is the largest Chinese-language newspaper in North America. The article talked about my recent short film, Stranger Now, sponsored by NBC-Universal and Film Independent. It also profiled my background. 

Here is a small excerpt:
"Born in Taiwan, Ignatius relocated with his family to Hong Kong when he was 10. He went to the cinema very often with his mother and brother, which spurred his tremendous interest in movies. When he saw Wong Kar-wai's Days of Being Wild at the age of 11, he decided he wanted to become a filmmaker and began writing his first screenplay."

More to come...

LA Film Festival: Roger Corman

 (Peter Fonda, Peter Bogdanovich, Joe Dante, Julie Corman, Roger Corman, Curtis Hanson)

As a director/writer fellow for Film Independent, I received a free pass to the LA Film Festival in downtown LA. It was incredible!! I met so many passionate filmmakers and film lovers and attended many cool screenings and panels.

For me the highlight of the festival was probably the Corman tribute. It took place at an intimate venue inside the Grammy museum. Roger Corman, a legendary American independent producer, was to be honored by those whose careers he launched or helped develop. Beforehand, I knew that Corman would be there and Curtis Hanson (director of LA Confidential, 8 Miles, Wonder Boys) would moderate.

When I arrived at the venue, I could feel a buzz in the air. I sat about 5 rows from the stage. During the introduction by the festival director, Rebecca Yeldham, I looked over to the corridor behind me. My heart almost lept out of my chest. I saw Roger Corman (cool but no surprise). Then I saw PETER FONDA and PETER BOGDANOVICH!!! These are movie gods. I become really excited.

When these men were joined on the stage by Joe Dante (director of Gremlins) and Julie Corman (wife and producing partner), everyone in the audience knew this was going to be a special evening.

To be cont.

Project:Involve Showcase | Film Independent

Showcase of short films by some of the best indie filmmakers today. It takes place this Thursday at the magnificent Disney Concert Hall (REDCAT). And it's FREE! 

It is sponsored by my fellowship, Project:Involve. For more info:

Project:Involve Showcase | Film Independent

Sundance Names 13 for June Directors & Screenwriting Labs

                                                               (photo courtesy of giantsarise.com)

Thirteen projects were selected by the Sundance Institute for itsJune Directors and Screenwriters Labs, taking place at the SundanceResort in Utah June 1 - 25. Spearheaded by Michelle Satter, Director ofthe Sundance Feature Film Program, and Artistic Director Gyula Gazdag,this year’s crop of participants include projects hailing from theUnited States, Ireland, the Middle East, Romania, Spain and Uzbekistan.

indieWIRE: Sundance Names 13 for June Directors & Screenwriting Labs | Film Independent

Duels

I am fascinated by duels. I often wonder how it would be to depict duels in a movie that is set in modern-day. I came across an article on the rationality of duels written by an Amherst economics professor. Apparently engaging in duels is a rational act for those living in a society where credit markets are non-transparent and highly personal in nature. In other words, if one fails to pay back a loan, he is compelled to defend his honor or face the prospect of not being able to get another loan again.

https://www.amherst.edu/aboutamherst/news/who_knows/node/189251

Directing Assignment sponsored by NBC-Universal and Film Independent

I got selected to direct a short sponsored by NBC-Universal and Film Independent! The story is about a homeless man who is building a beautiful model home. When the "home" is accidentally damaged, he is forced to seek help from a teenage boy, new to homelessness, who has the tools to fix the home.

Homeless is a widespread problem, especially severe in LA. I hope to address this subject matter in an authentic, heartfelt manner. The movie I want to reference is Jason Reitman's Up in the Air -- for its social consciousness, compassion for the characters, and focus on how people relate and change each other.

Film Independent will provide cash stipend for the shoot, and NBC-Universal will provide equipments and props.

If you like to receive more detailed updates, please become a "follower" directly on my blog.

Daniel Don't Cry Production

We just wrapped production on the short Daniel Don't Cry, which I co-wrote and co-directed. The first day of the shoot was such a thrill for me as I watched the crew and the stunt team give life and substance to the words I've written. Everyday of the shoot was a treat for me.