(Pic from here)
I really enjoyed the ideas from our last podcast with Micah and Blake. On the post, I questioned Eric Jacobus over whether it’s possible to make money without following the money in film. He doesn’t think so. From what I’ve heard from people in the industry, most people agree with Eric, but there’s always an idealist in me that says it’s always possible to go against the trend and still be profitable. Every so often, a new group arises that seems to buck the trend and make its own rules. Check out Wong Fu Productions.
Wong Fu was founded by three young guys at UC San Diego–see their story here. These guys became famous a few years ago when they released their well-known viral video on Yellow Fever, which was, in my opinion, one of the most pointless and ridiculous videos ever created. Since then, however, they’ve managed to write, produce, and create many other films, some of which are quite good.
After graduating, the Wong Fu team continued running the company. The founders are only a couple years out of college, but they’ve succeeded in making a full time gig out of their passion. Though I wasn’t a fan of their Yellow Fever video (probably because I’ve studied the phenomenon ad-nauseum and could work as a psychological profiler for rice chasers and the dairy queens who worship them), some of their film work is excellent. Check out the recent video with David Choi, the Hong Kong series, and Just A Nice Guy. Also, check out the video they made of one of my ex-girlfriends (the character, not the actress!).
I have no idea how much money these guys make, but if they’re doing it full time in an economy like this, I assume they’re paying the bills. Props to their success! And if they’ve found a way to make it work, others can do the same. They probably refused to listen when people told them that it couldn’t be done.
There are a number of factors working in Wong Fu’s favor:
1. They are the only film production company that creates romantic stories specifically with Asian American men and Asian American women. If you’re the only one doing it, people who like your genre have to come to you.
2. Technology and the internet have driven down the price of production and dissemination. It no longer requires a large studio to make films.
3. The Wong Fu guys came of age during a time when Asian American groups on American campuses were large and highly organized, and it was relatively easy to reach out to these groups. They did the right thing by traveling the country and publicizing.
4. They successfully tapped into a growing independent Asian American film and music culture for promotion and work.
5. They provide a social function by opposing the historical exclusion of Asian American stories in film.
So I think there is an argument to be made for being a profitable film artist while remaining true to one’s artistic vision. The Wong Fu guys may have found a very good niche, and the profit question may remain a large hurdle for most people, but at the same time, their success provides proof that idealism isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
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But here is an...
I agree with everything you said. About #1…I think...
Yeah, the Yellow Fever video was whack at the time, so I pretty much avoided their stuff until recently when people were saying they improved.
Hey Byron,
This is the one that I thought had great cinematography:
When Five Fell – Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5-ZhZea7AA
some of their others not as much. Can’t really speak for that film since there’s not a bunch story in the trailer but the camera work looks really cool. Seem like pretty cool guys. Very good personalities in front of the camera. I’m not a huge fan of romantic comedies but I thought the Hong Kong Series video that you linked to above was extremely well done. Got a little bored with the Nice Guy film. Their video blogs are pretty entertaining. Be great if they could get even more of their personalities that shine in the behind the scenes stuff into their actual films. That being said, they are still turning out some great stuff and I’m sure they will go on to even greater success.
Thanks for the recognition! Very much appreciated. It’s definitely a very interesting time for new media and we’re lucky enough to have found a place in it. Of course, we’re still learning in the process. Our “success” is directly related to an amazing and supportive community. Thanks again for the mention!
Hi Wesley,
Congrats on a successful company. I think you guys are doing great, and I look forward to seeing more of your movies and hearing more about your present and future successes!
Dan,
Check out the Hong Kong series and the David Choi video. They’re really good!
Blake,
I agree. The cinematography is really good. The presentation is great, and the characters’ personalities come out in front of the camera. “Nice Guy,” I think, is a story that probably appeals more to the college crowd than someone your age or my age.
A little bit of an aside (kind of related to the topic at hand, but not really…):
When I worked in NY, I had a screenwriter/playwright working under me. He was religious about his work. He’d wake up at 5 every morning and write. We talked a lot about the arts, and he frequently spoke about genre and media. I don’t remember the context of our discussion, but he once told me that the novel was the best medium for conveying a full thought. Film, he explained, moves fast, and the introspection for a full thought sometimes requires time that a playwright or screenwriter doesn’t have.
When you talk about bringing personalities into films, I think that will happen when Asian American novelists begin taking time to ponder and refine that introspection through novels. I was walking through Blockbuster today, and I was amazed by the number of award-winning films that come from or are inspired by novels. I’m happy that we’re living in these interesting times. As Wong Fu has benefited from the new media, maybe Asian American novelists will benefit as well–I know I’ve already benefited, if only through the interesting people whom I’ve met through the web.
I’m hoping that Asian Americans will continue to build on what we have and to explore new avenues of thought, exploration, and expression. I’m highly optimistic about the future.
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