Rookie Canadian filmmaker Stanton Chong talks to CHOPSO about making his first action short film as part of Vancouver Asian Film Festival’s Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon. A selection of MAMM films is currently streaming on CHOPSO.
Is this your first time entering Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon? What was it like for you? It seems you pulled out all the stops on it.
SC: Yes. To be honest, it was probably one of the most stressful weeks in my life since I was balancing a full time job while taking parts in several departments of the film. Also, this being my first short narrative, there were a lot of “winging it” throughout the duration of the film. However, I did have experience with making short form action videos on Youtube, which I aided in the making of the film.
How did you come into filmmaking? What’s your background?
SC: I met a friend in university who introduced me to the stunt industry. From there, I started filming fight scenes which eventually evolved into making short narratives. There’s still a long way for me to go and I’m excited to see where the journey takes me.
What was your favorite or most memorable moment of making “Lost in Transit?”
SC: My most memorable moment was probably rendering the film and finally submitted it in time for the deadline haha. My 2nd most memorable was shooting the action scenes. I love doing that stuff
What are your thoughts about this type of time limit filmmaking competition? Can you really make a good movie this way in such a highly competitive and restricted way?
SC: Again.. stressful haha.. But I believe you can make a good movie but it requires a lot of prep and good communication with your teammates.
What would be a tip you give to other filmmakers entering this kind of a competition of the first time?
Just do it. You’ll never know what you can handle until you actually do it. Just just grab a few friends, a camera and shoot!
Watch Stanton Chon’s “Lost in Transit” as part of the MAMM series on CHOPSO now.
