AND THAT'S MY STORY: AMOS WHY, FILMMAKER

I have been intrigued to find out more about the creators behind projects that I have been fortunate enough to see and/ or hear for a long time now so I've decided to do something about it. And That's My Story is a series on this blog that shares with you a bit about the creators I've met along the way and their journey towards fulfilling their dreams; it will run for as long as I can find people who are willing to share their story. Today, let me introduce you to the kind and talented Amos Why!

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I met Amos late last year at the Asia Triennial Manchester 14 event after he had his Q&A session about his beautiful film Dot 2 Dot. If you have seen the film you will understand why I wanted to know more about how it was made and Amos' creative journey. Below are his answers to the questions I had for him. Enjoy!

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Dot 2 Dot Film poster // Source: Courtesy of Amos Why

HELLO AMOS! TO START THIS INTERVIEW OFF, COULD YOU PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?

I was born in early 70's, also raised and educated in Hong Kong. Started my media career as a journalist even before enrolled into a film school and was always working between printing and electronic media. Signed my 1st contract as a scriptwriter and director in late 90's but had to wait till 2013 to finally write and direct my 1st film, which is "Dot 2 Dot".

WAS BEING A FILMMAKER ALWAYS IN THE CARDS FOR YOU? 

I decided to work in media for the rest of my life since aged 15. To be a filmmaker was always one of my career targets.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON FILM SCHOOL? DO YOU THINK IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR SUCCESS AND IF NOT, WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE KEY THINGS ONE MUST HAVE OR DO?

Film school is a place for you to explore, to try, to test and to make mistakes. Is it extremely important? I don't think so. It's important but absolutely not important. It's easy to make and release short films these days. That's why I think it's not extremely important. However, in normal case, film school provides you with short cuts and allow you to learn quicker if you are open minded and hard working.

Meng Ting-Yi as Xia Xue in Dot 2 Dot // Source: Courtesy of Amos Why

DOES WORKING IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY RUN IN THE FAMILY OR ARE YOU A REBEL IN THAT RESPECT?

A rebel in my case. None of my family is from the media or anything related to creativity/arts. And my mother didn't want me to study film at all. She wanted me to work in banking industry. That's what every ordinary Hongkonger thinks about: money. Thanks for the British colonial education system.

WHICH CAME FIRST - THE DREAM TO BE A WRITER OR THE DREAM TO DIRECT YOUR OWN FILM? 

Same time. I always wanted to direct my own script. I choose to work in media because I have something to say.

'DOT 2 DOT' IS YOUR FIRST FEATURE FILM AND IT HAS BEEN VERY WELL RECEIVED. CONGRATULATIONS! HOW HARD WAS IT TO GET THE BALL ROLLING WITH THIS PROJECT?

First, a bunch of money is most important. We applied for public funding and received a grant of US$50,000 from Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC). Everything starts from here. When I was graduated from film school in 1993, HKADC was not even established yet. There are much more public funding available these days and that's why I can finally direct my first film.

Moses Chan  as Suet-chung Wong in Dot 2 Dot // Source: Courtesy of Amos Why

'DOT 2 DOT' IS A ROMANTIC FILM THAT SUBTLY HIGHLIGHTS THE PACE AT WHICH THE WORLD IS EVOLVING AND CALLS INTO QUESTION HOW MUCH OF THE PAST IS BEING RETAINED. WHEN WAS THE INITIAL IDEA OF 'DOT 2 DOT' BORN AND HOW DID IT EVOLVE OVER TIME?

The first idea of “Dot 2 Dot” was born around 1999. I never wrote down the idea/synopsis until 2008/9. It's a pure love story about the boy and the girl chasing each other around the city with those mysterious dot-to-dot riddles on walls everywhere. However, 13 years later, Hong Kong had changed vastly after handover from the U.K to China and it was hard to avoid mentioning all these changes in the script.

BEING BOTH DIRECTOR AND WRITER, HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT BUILDING YOUR WONDERFUL PRODUCTION TEAM?

Since it's a low budget film as well as my first film, it's highly logical that most of my cast and crew are actually my friends. I don't have other options in fact.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO COMPLETE THE FILM AND WHAT STAGE OF PRODUCTION WAS YOUR FAVOURITE? 

I did it in 18 shooting days in September of 2013. There were 5-6 days of re-shoot with a mini crew afterwards. That's all. Everything is in a hurry during production. I enjoy the pre-production stage much more.

Still from Dot 2 Dot // Source: Courtesy of Amos Why

WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU ENCOUNTERED WHEN FILMING AND PROMOTING 'DOT 2 DOT'?

Time. Since we don't have enough budget, the best way to cut cost is to shoot fewer days. We didn't have enough time to finish shooting basically. Compromise is a must.

HAVING NOW MADE YOUR FIRST FEATURE, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING FILMMAKERS WHO HAVEN'T CAUGHT A BREAK YET?

Don't think too big yet aim high. By too big I mean production scale. Aim high means please don't forget what you really want to do at the very beginning. Try public funding. If you're old enough, ask your friends to help. To me, “Dot 2 Dot” is a test of friendship. I know who are my real buddies now.

Susan Shaw Yin-yin as Headmaster in Dot 2 Dot // Source: Courtesy of Amos Why

HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR NEXT PROJECT? AND IF SO, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN SHARE WITH US REGARDING IT? 

I am working on a feature-length animated documentary about Hong Kong's history and looking o release it in 2018 or even 2019. Between 2015 to 2018, hopefully I can have my next project.

AND LASTLY, WHAT ARE 5 FILMS THAT LEFT YOU TRANSFORMED AFTER WATCHING THEM?

"2001: A Space Odyssey" by Stanley Kubrick, "Laputa" by Hayao Miyazaki, "The Big Blue" & "Nikita" by Luc Besson and "Swallowtail Butterfly" by Shinji Iwai.

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And there we have it folks! I hope what Amos had to say (thanks again for this Amos!!) was of interest to you and may have inspired you to continue pursuing your own dreams. If you would like to find out about other creatives I have interviewed, check 'em out by clicking on the 'Interview' category link at the top of the post. Now, go forth and create some of that magic you know you are itching to share with the world.... then come tell me all about it ;)

Mo x