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GP: It's a straight up western, not a spoof. There's a certain amount of humor in it, as in almost everything I do, but it's not trying to squeeze tired fish-out-of-water humor out of the idea. It takes as a given the historical fact that thousands of Chinese and Mexicans lived in California in the 1860s -- this is one of their stories.
Actors James Saito and Tamlyn Tomita star in the "My Robot Baby" segment of Robot Stories.
GS: Do you think it has the potential to be released by a major studio for general distribution?
GP: We're now in the process of raising money for the movie -- depending on whom we partner with, all kinds of wonderful things could happen with the picture. The story is entirely accessible to all kinds of people -- the finished movie should have great potential for reaching a wide audience.
GS: What kind of offers or proposals do you typically get?
GP: I've met with a number of folks about various robot projects, which is cool. I love science fiction and would be thrilled if one of these projects came through. And there are a few Asian or Asian American stories which I've talked with people about. But interestingly, the project I've actually been hired for so far has nothing to do with robots or Asian American themes -- it's a screenplay adaptation of a memoir and deals with sixties counterculture. I think my background in political science helped me nab that particular project. Although now that I think about it, the piece also deals peripherally with white radicals' reactions to the Black Power movement of the sixties -- my work as an Asian American filmmaker in issues of race in America probably gave the producers faith in my ability to deal with these aspects of the story.
GS: What do you bring to a project as a director?
GP: Wow. That's a big question... I like to think I'm strong with actors. I love the process of working with actors in rehearsals and on set to connect, to find a moment, to really figure out what a scene is about and what the different characters are struggling to achieve. And I think I'm good with finding a quirky but emotionally honest tone -- I like stories which start funny or strange but then turn sad, and vice versa -- I like the unexpected, the surprises in every moment...
GS: Do you have an interest in directing stories written by other writers?
GP: Most of the material I've directed is stuff I also wrote. But I'd be absolutely thrilled to find an incredible screenplay by another writer and be hired to direct it. Honestly, writing is the hardest part of the entire process.
GS: Would you relinquish the director's job to sell a screenplay?
GP: For certain screenplays, sure. I've written a number of screenplays I'd be very happy to sell for others to direct. But I have a few projects which I've dreamed about and bled over for so many years I can't imagine giving them up.
GS: Are you writing any new screenplays at the moment?
GP: You bet. Always trying to keep new things cooking...
CONTINUED BELOW
GS: How is it possible for a filmmaker like you to survive and continue
making films? Do you have other sources of income?
GP: Heh. That's the big question, isn't it? It's a crazy business -- even what seems like huge success for an independent filmmaker may not result in
financial stability. I've been lucky to be able to generate some income
from my short films over the years through television and internet and
educational distribution deals. I've won a few screenwriting and filmmaking
awards at key times which helped me pay rent. And I've done all kinds of
gigs, from web design to writing to teaching. And since finishing Robot
Stories, I've scored two screenwriting gigs, which is amazing.
GS: Are you willing to continue indefinitely in your career as a
struggling filmmaker or have you set yourself a certain span of time
in which to cross over into well-funded studio films?
GP: I'm in this for the long haul. As long as I'm not starving and as long as I can start taking care of a family when the time comes, I don't care if I'm
still making small independent films or larger studio films -- as long as I
can do work I care about and support a family, I'll still be here.
GS: Have you made any regretful mistakes so far in your career?
GP: Oh, sure. There's always something you can kick yourself for. I've tried to make something positive of my goof-ups by starting the website
FilmHelp.com, which provides articles and advice for low budget filmmakers.
Many of the articles on the site grew out of my own mistakes.
GS: Which directors do you particularly admire?
GP: Billy Wilder and Akira Kurosawa are my all-time heroes.
GS: Which screenwriters do you particularly admire?
GP: Billy Wilder, again.
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| “It's a crazy business -- even what seems like huge success for an independent filmmaker may not result in financial stability.” |