01 - From DP to SWAT Samurai Director with Brian M. Tang (Kodama, SXSW 2023)

Brian M. Tang is an Asian American director based in Los Angeles. His original SWAT samurai action short film, KODAMA, will have its world premiere at SXSW 2023. His recent directing work includes projects for virtual production company Impossible Objects and “Many Moons,” a film shot on location and in real time in the path of totality of the 2017 total solar eclipse. Informing his director sensibilities are his extensive background in cinematography and VFX.Brian’s DP work has appeared at the Telluride Film Festival, the Cannes Film Festival, the Student Academy Awards, and on Netflix. A USC alum, Brian grew up in Marlboro, New Jersey.

In this episode we discuss how Brian successfully crowdfunded a film that got into SXSW and gained interest from agents and production companies before it even screened. We also talk about how his work as a cinematographer and VFX artist prepared him for the leap into directing, how watching movies and making stop-motion films from Legos as a child formed his cinematic taste, and how he went from being unsure how to pay bills after film school to becoming a rostered director.

Connect with Brian on Instagram: @b_tang

1:00 - Introduction of Brian

2:35 - Kodama - SXSW 2023 selection

22:06 - Brian’s early days of filmmaking

34:24 - USC

36:58 - Under Darkness and Bolero - Telluride selections & Student Academy Award-nominated films

45:38 - Many Moons - shot on location during the 2017 total solar eclipse

56:30 - The Last Whistle - first feature film in theaters & on Netflix

1:01:37 - Bolt from the Blue - feature film shot in Alaska

1:04:15 - Important lessons - film school, VFX capabilities, having a secondary skill

01:22:20 - Living situation impact on creativity

01:24:45 - Advice for younger filmmakers

01:31:00 - Overcoming slow periods

01:35:07 - Time Capsule

01:45:52 - Key Takeaways