41 - Directing Jobs for New Filmmakers with Gorby Shih (Tencent, ReelShort)

Gorby Shih is a director and producer whose work includes "Killer Maid" for Tencent Pictures, which is being adapted into a TV series for Legendary Entertainment; and two drama series for app ReelShort. Gorby has his BA in Film & Television Production from USC (2014) and his MFA in Creative Producing from Columbia University (2024).

Today we’re getting into different ways to land attention on your work and directing jobs, how the market in China has changed over the years and what pieces you should have in your portfolio to be a sought-after director. Let’s jump into the interview. 

BREAKDOWN: 

2:37 - Directing vertical content: business model, story structure differences, company players in the game

11:40 - Is digital media just a stepping stone?  

20:20 - What should a director have on his or her reel to land these jobs? 

22:00 - Going back to film school + becoming a director vs. creative exec vs. producer

25:46 - Making a short that led to signing with UTA and moving to Beijing to direct

31:27 - Directing his first feature for Tencent in 14 days (“Killer Maid”). 

37:20 - Gorby’s origin story + how represents

40:00 - What are people doing who have left the industry? 

43:00 - Script “Sinuous” 

48:12 - How accolades affect receptivity to your script or new project

50:05 - The best way to “network”

1:01:35 - TIME CAPSULE

KEEP UP WITH GORBY: 

IG: @gorbacevmofoshih

REEL:

https://vimeo.com/951351677/c15853b64a?share=copy

WEBSITE: www.gorbyshih.com

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:

All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow

www.NoSetPathShow.com