Past Filmmakers

Changhee Chun
Creation: Episode 3: The Earth Is Not Round
(Premieres November 1, 2003, at 11 PM)

Interview Questions:

1. How did you come up with the idea for the film?

2.  How long did the production process take?

It took one year and a half.  I spent around three months developing the idea and doing pre-production.  Then, I spent a year and three-month shooting and editing.  Since I made a 35mm blow-up print from a super 16mmm Negative film, the postproduction took a while.

3.  What challenges did you experience in the creation of the film?

When I made this film, of course, I had to care about the audience’s response as a filmmaker but at the same time I tried to ignore their existence.  I know this is contradictory but since I decided to make a film that can challenge the audience in a pleasant way, I had to figure out the balance between “understanding” and “embarrassing”.  This is the toughest process and still I am developing my own filmic style that can show this kind of “balance”.

4. What is your favorite memory from creating the film?

I do want to make a film without a significant use of dialogue.  Poetic images can say something much more than dialogue.  For this kind of image-driven film, I had to create an interesting mise-en-scene.  So, I rented an empty house from a real-estate agency and decorated the room according to my artistic vision.  It was very slow and painful process but thanks to that I had total control to create the image.  I am very proud of the setting and lighting design in this film and that was my favorite memory decorating the room for a month.

5. When someone has finished watching the film, what do you hope they take away from the experience?

I hope they can think, “the Earth cannot be round”.  Questioning our knowledge and common sense, realizing the limitation of science, and exploring another possibility was my intention, so hopefully, the audience can get this idea.

6.  What type of reaction has your film received from viewers?
"Boring...confusing...different...unique...I don't understand what's going on...." Many people have asked me the story of the film, but I have never explained.  I believe that the film should speak for itself.  I remember some audiences talked to me at the film festival, “Thanks man, at least your film made me think… you know, think…”. This was the best reaction I got from viewers.

7. What advice would you give to aspiring young filmmakers?

Whenever somebody asks me this question, I always give the same answer.  So, I want to say same thing again.  "Keep shooting and editing!"  I bet you will have a hard time making a good film. Sometimes, you will say, "I'll give up!" but that is the moment you have to overcome.  Be patient.  It’s a long journey to be a good filmmaker.  If you don’t give up, someday, you will make something that only you can create.

8. Please tell us about the next film you plan to work on.

I am working on the feature film that I am going to direct in the Korean and American film industry.  It’s a sort of martial-arts action movie.  I want to recreate this genre and make it unique.  It’s not easy to put my artistic vision on a commercial film, so this project is very challenging.  But ironically, that’s why I want to make this film.  I want to take this challenge.

9. What are your thoughts on the film industry in NC?

Quite frankly, I don’t know much about the film industry in NC. But when I heard about North Carolina Visions, I felt the bright future of the independent filmmakers in NC.  Also, I think the great film schools in North Carolina (I’ve got a MFA degree at UNC-Greensboro) really support the next generation of filmmakers at a critical stage in their careers.