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In-depth articles about Asian American film & filmmakers
"She" - An interview with director Mark Bella
05.13 - Posted by Editor
"She"
An interview with director Mark Bella
A VC FilmFest 2002 report
Interview by Chris Castillo
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05.13.02 -- I recently had a chance to sit down with first time filmmaker Mark Bella whose short film "She" is having its Los Angeles premiere at the VC FilmFest 2002.
AAF
What are your influences?
MB They vary but mainly they are modern day directors such as David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, Luc Besson, Robert Rodriguez, and Michael Mann. I enjoy different kinds of movies and these directors' films reflect the different aspects of films and filmmaking that I admire.
AAF
Tell me about the genesis of "She."
MB "She" started as an idea that I've had in my head for a long time. I had wanted to do a story about voyeurism. The story had taken several forms and it had always been in the form of a solitary character that is so intrigued about another person. It was a quirky idea that just stuck in my mind so when my producer on the film told me to get a short done, this story is what came out.
AAF
What kind of problems did you encounter during the whole process?
MB
Not too much since I really knew the shots and edits that I wanted before I began shooting. Being an editor, I think that brings a lot of strength to my direction. I was lucky to have Chris Ad. Castillo write cool dialogue around the rough framework of the film after it was shot and edited together. I thought that was an interesting way of getting the film together, the fact that we shot first and wrote dialogue later, but it seemed to work. I never thought I was good at expressing my thoughts verbally. My strength lies more in the visual acumen. I knew that I wanted to show them an abstract voyeuristic way of showing meaning behind my motive, but I don’t think I’m too poetic or profound in the sense of writing. That is why I felt Chris would be better at writing it from of my general notes and ideas.
AAF
What kind of comments did you get?
MB
Many people asked me later if I shot it on film or video, especially if they saw it on the web. Some are a bit surprised that I shot it on a Sony VX 2000. I guess it depends on the eye of the viewer in noticing the distinction but I did a lot of tweaking while shooting and during postproduction to give it a sort of filmic video look. I just made sure that it looked cinematic and not just like some person with a video camera walking around downtown LA.
AAF
How did you feel about making "She"?
MB
I did not want to go too far off the deep end in my first narrative short film. I wanted to do something fairly simple and sweet where I could showcase my conceptual ability as well as my directorial, editing, and in this case my cinematographic skills. I guess you could call it a bit artsy fartsy but I just had to get this one out of me.
AAF
So tell me about "She."
MB
Simply put, it is about man's appreciation of the beauty that he finds within a woman. Every day we experience things that come across in our minds as "beautiful." Our main character here finds this woman as the embodiment of beauty. It is one of those "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" themes.
AAF
How did you start out making films?
MB
I didn't know I wanted to be a filmmaker till late in college. I was not one of those dudes who started making super 8 war films in my back yard when I was 10. I always struggled to find out what really motivated me. The struggle came from the urgency that forces you to grow up so fast and choose a career by 21 and the fact that I realized I was not built for a desk job or a profession in medicine. I was lucky enough to find my passion in filmmaking by the age of 21. I knew that it was what I wanted to do because I had never in my life been so motivated to learn about something other than the creative process of filmmaking itself. I love the process. I love the responses on peoples faces when they see something you have created on screen. I love the creativity and the mixture of all the elements and technology to create a dynamic piece of art or whatever you would call it. Just something really, really cool.
AAF
Where do you think Fil-Am filmmaking is headed?
MB
There is a real surge in the Fil-Am community for films and filmmakers and it’s exciting to be a part of it. Fil-Am filmmakers are reaching out, expressing themselves in the media, and showing people what we are about. I am truly proud to be a Fil-Am filmmaker and be surrounded by so many of my peers who are talented and want to express their ideas. It really just shows how diverse we really are. Not just in showing off our culture and ethnicity but showing that we are part of everything in this country. We have so many stories to tell and more works to come. That is what is so exciting about doing this, it allows you to show a mass of people things in different ways and if done right can change the way they perceive certain things. That is powerful.
AAF
Do you plan on doing a Filipino-centric film in the future?
MB
I will at some point in my career. How directly related to the Philippines and/or the Fil-Am sub culture, that remains to be seen. I feel it is our obligation to get a piece of ourselves out there to show to the world where we came from and why we are the way we are.
AAF
As a first timer, how do you feel about these Asian festivals?
MB
I am excited to see what people think of my work. I feel a sense of camaraderie and belonging. It is definitely a confidence booster when you can have a venue for your work that gets the kind of attention that VC and Asian Cinevision gets and being able to meet fellow Asians who have achieved in an industry that is historically non-minority oriented. It is very inspiring.
AAF
Where is "She" headed now?
MB
It’s headed to the Asian American International Film Festival in NYC this July as part of the63collective, which is a group of Fil-Am filmmakers whose main concern is to do meaningful work and compete in the international stage. This festival has two other Collective members in Allan Brocka (Roberta Loved) and Don DeLeon (Two Minutes to Death). It feel’s good to be showing with them. After that I think that is just about the end of "She". I will bury it and move on to whatever is next.
AAF
What is next for Mark Bella?
MB
Right now I am doing a lot of work with MTV and editing some indie films on the side. I plan to start up an umbrella company under which I can continue working as an editor and specialize in postproduction, graphics, and multimedia DVD authoring. I will also be developing a feature project to direct and another short. It’s going to be a busy year.
Christopher Ad. Castillo is a writer/producer/filmmaker whose feature film, the psychological thriller "The Sky Is Falling," will be playing at the Asian American International Film Festival in New York City on July 20. A member of the Filipino American filmmaking group the63collective, he served as writer/producer on "She" and is in pre-production on his next feature film, "A World Without End." He is based in Los Angeles and can be reached at catalystfilms@attbi.com.
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