That’s right.  In this world, we’re the ones on display.  We’re the ones being studied and observed, by an even more intelligent life form – on the planet, Kepler X-47.

Through this film, I’ll be exploring the dark side of pursuing the American Dream and some of the absurdities of modern day living.

KEPLER X-47 is really special because I will be directing this film as part of American Film Institute’s Directing Workshop for Women.  Since 1974, AFI has offered this tuition-free training workshop and opportunity to direct a digital short.  This program has helped further  the careers of many directors.  You also may have heard of AFI from their “100 years…100 movies” lists, or from the AFI Film Festival.

Some notable alumna include: Maya Angelou, Ellen Burstyn, Anne Bancroft and Patty Jenkins.

Each year, AFI selects only eight women for this prestigious workshop, and I’m really excited and honored to be part of this year’s class.

Why is this so important?

According to the Directors Guild of America, women direct only 7% of films and 11% of television programs.  But 25% of AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women alumna have professional directing credits.  You may have seen some of the programs and films they’ve directed: MAD MEN, NEIGHBORS, BREAKING BAD, UNITED STATES OF TARA, CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD – the list goes on.

Science fiction can be an expensive genre to depict on film, and we are currently raising funds to cover production (set design, costume design, sound stage, locations, etc., etc.) and post production costs (VFX, color timing, sound mixing and design, etc.). Here is a link to donate and help us make this film a reality (donations made directly through AFI at this link are tax deductible): https://support.afi.com/dwwfilms (note: the film was previously titled CALIFORNIA ZOO).

Stay tuned for more updates on the film as well as a sneak peek at some concept art that I’ve been developing with the help of some very talented VFX graduates of the famed Gnomon School of Visual Effects!

With Elizabeth Sung (ctr), Derek Horne – Busan West Programmer (rt)

L.A. COFFIN SCHOOL recently screened at the Busan West Film Festival where I got to meet director Kim Jee-woon and pick his brain (via a translator) about directing Arnold Schwarzenegger in THE LAST STAND.  Because of the language barrier, one way that Kim Jee-woon directed actors and gave adjustments, was to act out the scenes himself.  He added that he wouldn’t recommend that method to other people, particularly when stunts are involved!

Kim Jee-Woon (lt), translator (ctr)

And…L.A. COFFIN SCHOOL won the Bronze Panther award at the Busan West’s short film competition!  It was a thrill to receive the award.  The Busan West jury had some lovely words to say about the film:

“Using a quirky setting, energetic visual style, and unique choice of subject matter, this film addresses the underexposed issue of elderly abandonment and solitude.  The people in the coffins talking about their favorite food, activity, memory, presented in a quiet presentational style was reminiscent of Hirokazu Koreeda’s film ‘After Life’ and has left us looking forward to the feature length version of ‘L.A Coffin School.’  This award is our vote of confidence in your feature project as well as our great expectations for your filmmaking career.”

***

Elizabeth Sung, who plays Ming in the film, was a pleasure to get to know and work with.  You may have seen her in MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, JOY LUCK CLUB, or one of my personal favorites, PING PONG PLAYA.

Elizabeth takes on the Proust questionnaire below.  The q&a takes on even more meaning if you have seen the film (if you haven’t seen it yet, you can download it for free here).  Enjoy!

Elizabeth Sung / 孫芳
Role in L.A. COFFIN SCHOOL: Ming

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
*When I am really taking the time being present in every second of life and enjoying it -not racing ahead and not thinking about the past.

What is your greatest fear?
*Not being able to move.

Which living person do you most admire?
*Mother Theresa.

When and where were/are you most happiest?
*In Hong Kong, that moment when I was two and discovered that I was able to walk on my own.

If you died and came back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
*Not sure I would want to come back. Would rather move on to the next dimension.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
*Not being able to save loved ones from dying.

How would you like to die?
*Easy, peaceful, quiet and quick.

Who are your heroes in real life?
*My parents.

Elizabeth Sung as MING in L.A. COFFIN SCHOOL

***
About L.A. COFFIN SCHOOL:
L.A. COFFIN SCHOOL is about a once-renowned Chinese painter who is kicked out of her son’s home, prompting her to enroll in a controversial school that claims to teach people how to start life anew. The instructor and class exercises force her to re-evaluate life and what it is worth. This short film is currently being developed into a feature.

More about Elizabeth:
Raised in Hong Kong, Elizabeth holds a BFA in dance from The Juilliard School and was a member of the Alvin Ailey Repertory Dance Company.  She received her MFA in directing from the American Film Institute and was one of three women selected for the prestigious ABC/DGA Television Directing Fellowship.  Elizabeth studied acting with renowned teachers Sanford Meisner and Milton Katselas in Los Angeles.  Her memorable appearances in film include “The Joy Luck Club”, “Memoirs of a Geisha” and “Ping Pong Playa” among many others.  On television, Elizabeth starred as Luan Volien Abbott on the popular daytime soap, “The Young and The Restless”.  She also guest starred on “Shameless”, “Hawaii Five-0”, “Bones”, “ NCIS – LA”, “FlashForward”, “The Forgotten” “Desperate Housewives”, “House”, “The Sopranos”, “NYPD Blue” and “Mike and Molly” to list a few.  Elizabeth Sung is the recipient of the Best “Supporting Actress Award” from the 2013 Asians On Film Festival.  Her lastest film project, “Go for Sisters,” directed by John Sayles, screens at SXSW this week.

Check out Elizabeth’s website. You can also find her on Twitter (@fongsung) and Facebook.

About Busan West Film Festival:
Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts is pleased to partner with the Busan International Film Festival (considered by many to be the “Cannes” of Asia) to present BUSAN WEST. Over the course of three days, March 8-10, 2013, Dodge College hosted a showcase of contemporary and classic films selected primarily from the Busan International Film Festival by Dodge College Professor Nam Lee, an expert in pan-Asian cinema.

When I was growing up, any television show that I watched had to be pre-approved by my parents.  My dad in particular thought that the content on TV had too much sex and violence.  On the ‘approved’ list included: “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” “Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?” and similar fare.  All very G-rated shows.  I envied my friends, who at the time, were absorbing Melrose Place and Beverly Hills, 90210 (vintage editions) and other scandalous content.  At one point, my dad also tried implementing a one-hour per week television watching limit but that didn’t last very long; I would always go over the limit.  I guess I just couldn’t get enough of it…hence my current occupation!

All kidding aside, another show that my Dad ok’d was “One World,” a Saturday morning sitcom featuring a group of diverse kids who were all adopted by the same family.  Michelle Krusiec’s character, Sui Blake, caught my attention because she was a ditzy jock, not the glasses-wearing-book-toting-math-genius representation of Asian Americans I was mostly accustomed to seeing on the tube, if I saw any Asian Americans on TV at all.

Michelle Krusiec and the cast of “One World”

Some years later, I watched “Saving Face” and though I didn’t know it at the time, that was the film that would eventually make me want to work with Michelle.  Since then, I’ve seen Michelle in many more projects that showcases her wide comedic and dramatic range as an actor (most recently in David Henry Hwang’s play, “Chinglish”).

Here is a Proust questionnaire that Michelle answered when L.A. COFFIN SCHOOL first premiered in Los Angeles.  If you haven’t seen the film yet, you can catch L.A. COFFIN SCHOOL this weekend at the Busan West Film Festival (partner of the famed Busan International Film Festival in South Korea).  Enjoy!

***

Michelle Krusiec / 楊雅慧
Role in L.A. COFFIN SCHOOL: Bo / Coffin School Student

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
*Unconditional trust of the future.

What is your greatest fear?
*That eating anything can give you cancer or radiation or some disease and I’d have to become vegan or macrobiotic or whatever else sounds unappetizing.

Which living person do you most admire?
*Obama.

When and where were/are you most happiest?
*I’m the most happiest when I am working and traveling for work, especially if it’s in a destination I wouldn’t go to on my own.

If you died and came back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
*I think I’d come back as a wind chime, all I’d have to do is hang out and be perfectly still and the only job I’d need to do is windsurf and sing.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
*When you resort to violence as a way of communicating.

How would you like to die?
*Laughing.

Who are your heroes in real life?
*The people at Center for Pacific Asian Family because they help women and families get out of bad situations and Disney Pixar because they always make me feel like a child again.

***

L.A. COFFIN SCHOOL screens at Busan West Film Festival this weekend:
- Sat. Mar. 9 at 3pm PT
- Sun. Mar. 10 at 12pm PT

If you can’t make the screenings, don’t fret – you can download a free copy of the film here.

L.A. COFFIN SCHOOL is about a once-renowned Chinese painter who is kicked out of her son’s home, prompting her to enroll in a controversial school that claims to teach people how to start life anew. The instructor and class exercises force her to re-evaluate life and what it is worth. This short film is currently being developed into a feature.

Michelle Krusiec in CHINGLISH

More about Michelle:

Michelle Krusiec (pronounced Kroozik) first found national and international critical acclaim in her starring role opposite Joan Chen in the romantic comedy Saving Face, directed by Alice Wu. Her award winning performance as an awkward, closeted lesbian garnered her a Best Actress nomination in the 2005 Golden Horse Ceremony, Asia’s equivalent to the Academy Award.

Krusiec’s reputation as an actor lives within her ability to move seamlessly between comedy and drama. Her countless roles in film, television and stage span from quirky characters to documentaries like “Nanking” in which she portrays a WWII survivor. With each successive role, Krusiec continues to shine in her versatility and artistry. As a writer, she continues to work on original material and perform her critically acclaimed solo show, “Made in Taiwan,” which premiered at the Aspen Comedy festival in 2002 and again in 2007 in its New York Off-Broadway premiere at the first annual Asian American Theater festival. She is currently touring with the cast of David Henry Hwang’s play, Chinglish, in the role of Xi Yian, at the Berkeley Repertory Theater, the South Coast Repertory, and finally the Hong Kong Arts Festival.

Check out Michelle’s blog. You can also find her on Twitter (@michellekrusiec) and Facebook.

About Busan West Film Festival:
Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts is pleased to partner with the Busan International Film Festival (considered by many to be the “Cannes” of Asia) to present BUSAN WEST. Over the course of three days, March 8-10, 2013, Dodge College will host a showcase of contemporary and classic films selected primarily from the Busan International Film Festival by Dodge College Professor Nam Lee, an expert in pan-Asian cinema.

David Hare (L) and Louis Malle (R)

A creative partner with whom you connect deeply on both a professional and personal level is rare and should be treasured.

Since I’ve moved to Los Angeles, I’ve been fortunate to have met some artists who I continue to collaborate with. Being “in the zone” while working with another artist on the same wavelength is one of the most satisfying aspects of the filmmaking process. Of course it is unrealistic to expect this type of working relationship with every crew member on every film, but it is nonetheless satisfying when the stars align.

I recently came across an old article in Vogue by David Hare, screenwriter of THE HOURS, that recounts his working process and friendship with director, Louis Malle, on the film, DAMAGES. It always fascinates me to learn about how other artists collaborate, because there is no wrong or right way. Sometimes, chemistry is there at the first meeting. Other times, it develops as collaborators get to know one another more. Sometimes there is no connection, and never will be.

Malle charmed Hare into writing the screenplay for DAMAGES by first suggesting that Hare read the book that the film would eventually be adapted from. Shortly thereafter, Malle arrived, uninvited, during Hare’s solitary retreat in St.-Tropez. Malle then asked Hare to repeatedly recount the story from the book – for ten days straight – all the while interrogating Hare about the characters, plot details and so forth.

Hare reminisces, “…after three or four days, even I had to admit that I was becoming like an Olympic athlete whose punishing hours of training were bringing unnoticed rewards. Much to my surprise, my muscles were starting to ripple. I could even get through whole sentences without interruption.

It was as if Louis and I were laying down planks over marshy ground and together finding a path. Slowly we constructed a watertight narrative, which was secured by the oddest of means: endless repetition. The more often I told the story out loud, the more natural its logic and development seemed to become…”

*Article excerpts are from the September 2012 issue of Vogue. You can order the digital issue if you don’t wish to lug around the 916-page behemoth.

What people are saying about TO THE BONE:

“With staunch, dedicated performances from everyone in this small cast and beautifully-shot scenes that tell much more than eight minutes worth of a story, To The Bone is definitely not a film to miss.” – Slug Magazine

“Beautifully crafted…an exquisitely-executed, tragic tale of the sacrifices that such families endure in order to survive.” – The What It Do (Sundance Film Festival 2013 Recap: Directors to Watch)

“Erin Li’s short film To The Bone is a tale of innocent rebellion, albeit one with severe consequences. Valencia’s disobedience does not come from a place of malice towards her father, but rather the actions of a child that has seen a life of nothing but work, and thinks that she may’ve found a way out of that life. Unfortunately, reality is not as pleasant as Valencia may imagine.

The film could’ve gone bleak and sad and ended there, but it also makes a statement about family and sticking together no matter what. Though Val’s father may be upset that his daughter disobeyed him to such a degree, he sees it for what it is too, and doesn’t feel anger as much as sadness that he can’t provide a better option for his children than to work alongside him on a farm. In that way, for all the external negative consequences that arise, the family becomes stronger as a result. It’s a heartwarming resolution amid sad conditions.”

Full article here.

“In yet another Slamdance World Premiere, To The Bone brings a glimpse into the difficult lives of migrant farmworkers. Eleven-year-old Valencia (Naomie Feliu), her father (Jaime Alvarez) and her eight-year-old little brother, Marcos (Carlos C. Torres), work long, hard days for next to no pay—just to give their family a chance at a better life—while all Valencia wants is to go home. But will her attempt to do so have unforseen aftereffects that cause more harm than good? Developed as part of Film Independent’s Project: Involve fellowship program and directed by Erin Li, To The Bone is a short film that documents a harsh reality that is so often overlooked. Feliu and Torres, though young, truly bring this story to life. With staunch, dedicated performances from everyone in this small cast and beautifully-shot scenes that tell much more than eight minutes worth of a story, To The Bone is definitely not a film to miss. It is being screened in the Slamdance Film Festival’s Shorts Block 1.”

Full article here.