Film Directors Workshop Ep17 - Director Djinn (2023)

Film Directors Workshop

Recorded in late 2023, I had the privilege to talk to Djinn in a noisy cafe in Sim Lim Square, before he rushed off flying back to LA- hence the aggressive background noise cancelling-sorry. We owe Djinn and all those involved with the Movie, Perth- for pioneering Singapore indie films in 2004, when it was a lot more difficult to write, produce, direct and distribute a feature film. A great person to chat with. Lots to share.

In this episode, we're diving deep into the world of Singaporean filmmaker Djinn Ong, best known for his film Perth. Djinn takes us on a journey through his unconventional path into filmmaking, starting with his work at the Economic Development Board (EDB) to his experiences in the Hong Kong film industry and eventually into directing. From casting actors off the street to balance the constraints of low-budget filmmaking, Djinn shares candid stories about working with actors like Sunny Pang, working with Producer Juan Foo, his passion for telling authentic Singaporean stories, and the challenges of bringing independent films to life. Join us as Djinn reflects on his creative process, the evolving landscape of local cinema, and his thoughts on the future of filmmaking in Singapore and beyond. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring filmmakers and anyone interested in the intricacies of storytelling through film.

[00:00:17] How Djinn found the female lead for Perth

[00:01:56] Casting Sunny Pang

[00:04:28] Creating the Film 'Perth'

[00:05:51] Journey into Film Directing

[00:06:55] Djinn began in early EDB promoting Creative Industries i.e Film

[00:10:34] Writing a paper for the establishment of a Singapore Film Commission

[00:11:31] Djinn tries a Indiana Jones type job

[00:11:47] How Djinn got involved with Yonfan’s Bugis Street

[00:13:20] Transition to the US and Short Films

[00:17:29] Working in HongKong Film Industry

what's the last thing you did, like

[00:18:52] Not directing for a while

[00:19:33] Reflections on Directing and Storytelling

[00:20:53] Balancing Local and Global Storytelling

[00:22:57] Returning Home: Reconnecting with Local Cinema

[00:23:32] Character Development and Inspiration

[00:24:35] The Joys and Struggles of Low-Budget Filmmaking

[00:27:07] What Djinn looks for from a DP

[00:31:02] Casting Authentic Characters

[00:37:27] The Importance of a Good Production Team

[00:41:33] Impactful Small Sequences

[00:42:42] Exploring Global Cinema

[00:43:41] Asian American Productions

[00:48:16] Challenges in Production

[00:54:46] Directing and Actor Performance

[01:05:22] Encouragement for Independent Filmmakers