"True" Believer - An Interview with Jay Koh

04.04 - Posted by Editor

		"True" believer   Jay Koh talks about making the leap from shorts to his first feature.   Interview by Wes Kim.
Above: A guys' night out on the town in Jay Koh's feature "True"

04.04.00 Jay Koh's feature "True" debuted in his hometown of Seattle last year and will screen on the closing day of the Chicago Asian American Showcase. AsianAmericanFilm caught up with him as he prepared for his trip to Chicago.   AAF  Before "True" (1999, 90 minutes, super 16mm), you made two shorts, "My Brown Eyes" (1994, 18 minutes, 16mm) and "The Kameleon" (1996, 28 minutes, 35mm). What lessons did you bring forward from those shorts when it came time to make "True?"     Jay Koh, director of "True," can be reached at jay@kingstreetmedia.org   Midwesterners! See "True" in Chicago! "True" screens Sunday, April 8, at the Chicago Asian American Showcase Links Official site for "True" Kingstreet Media   Have an opinion about this article or "True"? Post it on the Film Comment Message Board!     Photo of Jay Koh swiped from the official site for "True" JK  Well, that a format is just a format. 16 or 35mm or even video--too many film school grads obsess about format, like it's some kinda status thing. I try to concentrate on delivering a good story, one that engages people, one that affects people. Another big lesson is learning how to "let go." As an independent, you need to be clear on what you can compromise and what you can't. I have a system of rating the importance of each scene. On a level 5, sure, I'll do it 'til I get it right. On a level 1, it's a one-take-Charlie and move on--save the film for something more important. And trim your film down! It's always better shorter! It's hard to let go, but you must!   AAF  "True" focuses on the lives of three Korean American adults searching for truths about their identities: Bobby, an adoptee from the Midwest; Amy, the eldest daughter of a traditional Korean family; and Jamie, a young man burdened by family tragedy. What inspired the story?   JK  My friendship with filmmaker/actor/gaffer Jesse Wine. Jesse played Bobby in the film, a character that's dangerously close to his own actual life.   AAF  How did you fund the film? Did the recognition for your shorts help when it came to getting support for "True?"   JK  I funded the film by "whoring" myself out to Hollywood no-brainers, commercials, and infomercials. Recognition gets you lots of pats on the back--sometimes sex--and I don't get support by recognition. My crew is loyal to me because I'm a decent person, I respect others, and I always try to do good.   AAF  Any amusing or hair-raising anecdotes from the production of "True" you wish to share?   JK  Well, I'm always proud of the fact that there was so much Asian American talent poured into the film. For example, the title song, "True," was composed by Mike Min, who also played Steve [Amy's boyfriend], and the song was performed by Chil Kong, who played Hung. It was recorded and engineered by John Pai, who also was the director of photography. When Jesse Wine wasn't playing Bobby in front of the camera, he was a gaffer. Alda Yu played Amy and also was the chief makeup artist, and of course I wrote, produced, funded, tried to act, edited, and finally directed the damn movie. Never again, but it's good to know that we can do this IF NEEDED!!!!   AAF  Are there any lessons you want to pass on to aspiring Asian American filmmakers who are contemplating their first features?   JK  Do a short first--you can only get better with practice--and don't waste time waiting for funding. Get your ass working, in the biz if at all possible; get some set time. Grow up and become at peace with yourself, and don't make movies because you wanna call yourself a "filmmaker"--do it 'cause you got passion for storytelling.   AAF  You're also a founder of Kingstreet Media, a Seattle-based nonprofit devoted to providing resources to filmmakers from groups underrepresented in the mainstream media. Does KSM focus specifically focus on helping Asian American filmmakers, or is their mission broader in scope?   JK  It can be broader -- "underrepresented" is changing every day.   AAF  If an Asian American filmmaker came to KSM for help, what kinds of services could KSM offer her?   JK  First, one must stand in line. We have everything one needs to make that first short--from cameras to grip stuff to lights to AVIDs to Steenbecks to walkies to sound stuff etc.--but most importantly, we have producers who know how to put together a lean mean production and maximize your no-budget film. This is the most common mistake for independents: Don't have your best buddy play producer! Get a real one with real world experience; it makes all the difference.   AAF  Can you whet our appetites with news of any Kingstreet Media projects in the works?   JK  We're sponsoring this year's Seattle Asian American Film Festival (SAAFF). SAAFF will have a tribute night to the late James Wong Howe. It'll also be held Halloween weekend, and we're going to have a costume ball for a closing night party.   AAF  What are your plans for "True?" Any distribution deals in the offing?   JK  No plans--I've moved on. Distribution deals? I'm trying not to make money for "da man" if you know what I mean. I would like to have a distribution deal with an Asian American independent distributor if one exists. Know one?   AAF  What's your impression of being a filmmaker in the Pacific Northwest?   JK  Don't really matter where you are as long as you got skills.   AAF  What's your next big project?   JK  Big? You mean budget? Gosh, I'm not sure what a big project is--I treat every project like it's the most important one ever.   For more information, please contact   Jay Koh Kingstreet Media jay@kingstreetmedia.org   Return to top