Tyler Ham Pong, Secretary, Asian American Film Lab, Inc.
Besides your responsibilities with Film Lab Inc., what’s going on in your personal career? – “I’m always auditioning and working towards the next project. I actually just found out some good news about an acting project that I’ll have to keep under wraps for now! But in my day-to-day, my wife and I are owners of a production company in Los Angeles where we specialize in actor services like headshots, audition taping and reel scenes.”
Tyler Ham Pong
“We have our annual “Headshot Day” coming up on April 20th where we offer discounted headshot rates for those who snag a spot. Look us up at Kill the Pig Productions! Lastly, I’m developing a feature horror film called, “The Nevada Triangle.” I was recently able to workshop some of the screenplay at the Asian American Film Lab’s Unfinished Works screenplay reading series.”
What’s happening, planned, going on for 2024? – This year’s 72 Hour Shootout has some returning sponsors, judges and mentors, along with some exciting new additions that have yet to be announced! But once again, we’re encouraging actors, filmmakers, and artists to sign up and make a film in under 72 hours.
Expectations? Anything you are especially excited about? Any special challenges? How did the theme “Joyful Resistance” come about? Under the umbrella of mental health? – It’s always exciting to announce the theme each year and see how the contestants react and are able to adapt it to their film submission.
When I was the Shootout Coordinator in 2020, it was the height of the pandemic and I chose the theme “Going Viral.” Not only did it reference Covid and the increased “Asian hate” surrounding the derogatory term “China Virus” — but it also referenced social media, which became a very important form of community during the Shootout’s “Isolation Edition.”
We hope that each year’s theme is able to encourage filmmakers to explore societal issues and comment on the world around us. I’m sure this year’s will be equally challenging and thought-provoking, but you’ll have to come to the Launch Party in June to find out what it is.
What blew my mind about 72 was the savvy militancy of its “mission statement.” Has that created extra challenges? – When I first started participating in the competition, I would get excited when Summer rolled around because I knew I’d be making a movie. I just didn’t know what. After a while, I became pretty savvy with the rules. Yes, the stipulations can sometimes be challenging, but they’re meant to encourage rather than stump you. And in what may seem like a contradiction, the time limit may also free you. There’s no time to linger or overthink, just create!
A Vareity of Roles – Tyler Ham Pong, Secretary, Asian American Film Lab. Courtesy AAFL
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Editor, Publisher Gregg W. Morris @ gregghc@comcast.net, profgreggwmorris@gmail.com