The Power of Film Podcast #2: Eugene Sun Park, Producer
In this episode of The Power of Film, I had the pleasure of speaking with Eugene Sun Park, who is a producer and experimental filmmaker in Chicago. We got to chat about the Chicago film industry (and how it differs from Hollywood), his production company Full Spectrum Features and supporting filmmakers of all kinds, the film he’s producing and currently crowdfunding, Signature Move, as well as the awkward, awkward moment at the Oscars where Chris Rock brought out three stereotypical Asian American kids, and no one thought to maybe scrap that, beforehand.
Upcoming film: Signature Move
Eugene and his team are currently crowdfunding for Signature Move, and I’m just going to let the log line do the talking:
SIGNATURE MOVE is an indie romantic comedy meets coming-of-age feature film about a Pakistani-Muslim-lesbian named Zaynab, who lives in Chicago taking care of her conservative-but-sweet TV-obsessed mother. A mother she keeps secrets from. The film is set in Chicago, because a Chicago summer is a beautiful time to fall in love. And Zaynab does fall in love with Alma (secret #1), a smart, bold Mexican woman with whom Zaynab connects across culture, food, AND WRESTLING because as Zaynab is learning professional-style wrestling (secret #2), Alma tells her that her grandmother used to be a Lucha Libre wrestler back in Mexico when she was young.
If you’re interested in getting that kind of movie made, you have a couple more days to contribute! Go to their Indiegogo campaign page here. [UPDATE] I just saw they got the campaign 100% funded! That’s just absolutely amazing, congratulations guys!! *confetti balloons music* Looks like Signature Move is going to be made! Terrific news.
Eugene’s Recommendations
We had an excellent time talking! Eugene also made a few great recommendations:
You need to check out Jennifer Reeder’s work (who will be directing Signature Move), you can find her work on Vimeo and on her website. Here’s her short, A Million Miles Away:
Eugene also recommended the work of Patrick Wang, for those of you who enjoy slow-burning but meticulously crafted dramas: his films In The Family and The Grief of Others, which both sound absolutely beautiful.
Lastly, he also recommended the our review here
Eugene’s past writing for Film Inquiry
These are absolutely essential reads! Excellent tips for indie filmmakers.
Social Media: An Essential Tool For The Indie Filmmaker?
How To Apply For Filmmaking Grants (And Why You Should Do It)
Thanks so much for making the time to talk with me Eugene! I had a blast! All the best of luck with bringing Signature Move to life later this year!
Music for the podcast has been created by film score composer Anselme Pau. Thank you Anselme!
Lastly: don’t forget to subscribe the podcast on iTunes! We’re still working on adding it to Google Play though 🙂 Thanks!
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