1. 15 hours ago 

   Water + Bridges :: LAtoSFandBack

   

   San Francisco. With the Golden Gate Bridge, historic Chinatown, and endless hills, that city is most definitely one grand city by the bay.

   The trip as a whole was quite memorable. We left on a Friday afternoon and spent the next seven or so hours driving with a dinner break at Wendy’s before the final few hours until being on the Bay Bridge and finally our hotel. I must say that at night, San Francisco is breathtaking. I could go on and on about the adventures and conversations had within those few days, but I think most of those stories should stick within the five of us who went on that journey.

   

   I will say though that was a pleasure having our film shown at the Presidio Theater and doing a Q&A (something I really hope to be doing much more of in the future). Also, our film was lucky enough to be chosen as not only one of the Top 16 films (out of the 75 best films from across all the universities on the West Coast), but also nominated for Best Drama at that level. And we’re headed to the International Grand Finale for CMF in June of 2010.

   To speak honestly, I was originally disappointed by the fact that our film did not take home the prize of Best Drama of the West Coast. I can’t say I wasn’t. I’m just the type of person who always strives to be the best and aim to be the best in whatever it is that I do. I can fully respect a film that with a better story than one that I had told, but I’d rather not speak on my personal opinions of the film that did win. Whatever it is that I do think and/or feel is that of my own opinion. What I can say is that I am proud and grateful, so proud, of my team, our film, and how far it has gone and will hopefully continue to go. I mean, we made someone in the audience gasp, “Jesus.” You know you’ve affected someone when that’s what they gasp.

   In relating to personal subjectivity, interesting thing to me was that not too long ago, a friend of mine had told me that her friend had also made a film for CMF. When my friend had told this other filmmaker about my film, a look had come across their face and with that, expression of jealousy over that fact that my film had made it to these next levels of the competition and garnered the recognition it did in comparison to their film. This other filmmaker then went on to discuss their use of aesthetic in connection with the symbolism to what they had tried to tell; the framing of the character, the lighting of their face, etc. My friend became overwhelmed with all of this information.

   For me, in hearing this, it makes me realize how much inner growth I’ve achieved these past few years as a filmmaker. Just a couple of years ago, I spent so much time meticulously planning out every single frame so that aesthetically this particular element would convey the emotion of one character at that moment of the story. Even after the film was complete, I’d go on in detailing to people how this was meant to convey that. It took some more experience and growth for me realize that if you have to go explaining through words what you intended for your audience, you’re not doing your job as a filmmaker.

   As a filmmaker, your job is to tell your story using all that you have to convey story and stir emotions in your audience through what they’re experiencing when watching your film. You shouldn’t have to tell your viewer that the blue color of their shirt represents the calm emotional qualities of that character. If someone asks you for confirmation if that was your original intent, then yes, of course. However, if you tell your story correctly, then they should just get that information and that emotion by watching your film. That’s the magic of film. Film is purely subjective. What’s great to one person may not be to another. It’s all in the personal opinion of the individual.

   I watched this other filmmaker’s film, and for me, I, personally found a few elements cliché and some shots that took away from the emotional impact that it could have had from the audience. But that’s my personal opinion. I’m not saying that what I’m saying is right.

   I have so much more to grow as a filmmaker. I know that. I never want to stop growing. At the same time, I am proud of my talent as a filmmaker. With each film I make, I hope it’s different and better than the last. Better to me, not to anyone else. I know the audience that I want to make films for, but when it comes down to it, I make films for myself.  I only hope that there are people out there that enjoy being entertained by the same stories I do.

   I’m not saying my film is better than this other filmmaker’s film. How can you really compare two such different stories? Perhaps the execution of telling those stories can be judged on certain levels. Obviously, a mutual audience preferred mine over to theirs in comparison. For me, I’m always happy when eve one person is able to watch my film and be affected by it. I know I say that quite a bit, but it doesn’t ever stop being true.

   I recently had one of my co-workers watch my film, and afterward, go off for ten minutes in explaining to me how it affected him and the parts of the film that just really hit him hard. I was just in blissful shock because everything that he had told me in those ten minutes was everything I had tried to convey through five minutes and even things that I never originally intended to do apparently I did.

   Honestly, the biggest thing I’ve learned as a filmmaker is to tell your story the best way you know how, and let the relationship between the film and the audience do the rest.

2. 1 week ago 

   The Road to San Francisco :: 2009 UCLA CMF (Pt. 2)

   

   Phew. The movie just flew by (even for someone whose seen it at least 100 times before that moment). Normally, whenever I get situations where I get to be sitting with an audience watching my film, I love to watch the expressions of everyone around me. It’s not all the time where you get to be in situations like that and to be able to see people reacting and being affected by something you created… there’s no greater rush in the world. This time it was kind of different though. Instead of watching everyone else, I got sucked into my own movie. I became part of the audience. If the people around me were feeling remotely what I was feeling watching our film, then I’ve done my job.

   After that, the final two films played, and it was time for the awards portion to end the night. They had a couple of new awards this year which included CEC Awards for Best Actress and Actor… not necessarily linked to CMF but a nice gesture anyway. After Best Comedy, they announced the nominees for Best Drama. The music for “Stockholm Syndrome” came first. Then, the notes played and Moose’s face and the titles for our film showed up. We’re nominated!! That in itself was a rush, and then, the nerves hit… hard.The third film nominated was named, “The Perfect Pitch,” I believe. Eerie film.

   The time came. Heart… POUNDING. The hosts of the evening opening the envelope… the award for Best Drama at the 2009 UCLA CMF Finale goes to

   ……….

   LIFE (IN V MINUTES)!!!

   I think I just erupted, jumped out of my seat, hand turned into a fist and whispered, “Yes,” to myself. Next thing I know, I’m walking up to the stage with my cast/ crew in tow. A microphone gets handed to me. The next few sentences that came out of my mouth I honestly can’t remember to well. Hopefully I thanked my cast and crew for their hard work and expressed how grateful I was was to win this.

   

   As we were walking back to our seats, I remember hugging members from my team and thinking to myself, “We did it.”

   For me, that moment literally felt like 3 years in the making. From the first time we did CMF to any other film I’ve made, I try to have a balance of not only have a great story to tell but to tell it well. I always feel that the films that represent what should be the BEST films should have that balance. Finally, to have my work and the work of my team be recognized just meant so very much to me. We even got nominated for Best Picture a few minutes after that.

   Having this be my final year at UCLA and my final chance to do CMF, things just felt right. This just felt like the right time. As we head to San Francisco in the next few days for the Western Regional Grand Finale to go head-to-head with the Best Dramas of the West Coast and 75 other films from Washington to Southern California, I’m happy and proud with what we’ve accomplished. Anything else that happens from now on is extra.

   At the end of the day, I’m just happy if people get a chance to watch something I’ve had a hand in creating and hopefully be affected by it.

   Thanks for reading and wish us luck as we head on the road to San Francisco.

   

3. 2 weeks ago 

   The Road to San Francisco :: 2009 UCLA CMF (Pt. 1)

   Here it was again. The final time I’d get to come as a contestant this event that two years ago became a defining part of my journey in becoming (hopefully one day soon) a successful feature film director.

   The first time Campus MovieFest (CMF) was here in 2007, a bunch of my old and new-found friends made a little film called, “say something.” For us, it was the little film that could. Not only did it get to the UCLA finale that year, it went on to screen at Grauman’s Egyptian Theater in Hollywood and 35,000 miles in the sky on Virgin America Airlines for a year, and win us over $1,000 in prizes. All of that aside, that experience gave me a chance to test out my newly-learned knowledge of film and work with an actual cast and crew. It was just a fantastic experience that I’ll continue to treasure with me for the years to come.

   

   The second time CMF was at UCLA was in 2008. The year before, I directed a story that I wrote but the script was written by good friend, Ashley Sizemore. This particular year it’d be a little different; everything is written/ directed by Kelly Li. The movie took things back a bit. Things became for intimate; story, cast, crew, everything and everyone. The final product turned out to be a short film entitled, “Sometime After Midnight.” (To this day, the soundtrack to that film is my favorite of all the ones I’ve done.)

   

   For the third and final time, we’ve come back to the present. October 29, 2009. It’s 7:40pm, official start time was supposed to be ten minutes prior. The anticipation is destroying me since I was nauseated to begin with. You see, they never tell anyone what films they show at the finale. They only pick 16 films every year. This year, there were 130 teams. All these thoughts always fly into my mind. Everyone around me tries to calm me down. “Why are you worrying?” “Of course you’ll make it!” But for me, until it’s certain, nothing’s certain. Finally, a few minutes later, the lights start to dim, and we begin my very last UCLA finale for CMF.

   

   The way they structure the finale is that they show the 16 films in groups of 4. The first group passed by. Not in it. The Second group swung around. Not in it. The third group comes to a close. Nothing. Most of my friends whose films were submitted were shown. Awesome. Myself at that moment… Not feeling well. Oh and here we go, the start of the fourth and fnal group. Lights Dim. Screen goes from black to… not my film. AHHHH. I can feel my group around me thinking, “What do we say to Kelly if the film actually doesn’t make it this year?” I was asking myself the same question…

   

   Film 1 from Group 4 comes to a close. My heart’s pounding; BOOM BOOM BOOM. Screen back to black… goes to… KELLY LI PRODUCTIONS!!! AHH yessss. Normally, around this time, I would sigh a sigh of relief and watch the audience watching my film. That’s my favorite part, but this year, I, myself, got engrossed into the story. And then there’s an applause. For five minutes, I had them, and it’s the best feeling in the world.

   

4. 3 weeks ago 

   2009 UCLA Campus Movie Fest Award for Best Drama :: Life (in V Minutes)

   (Accompanying blog coming very soon!)

5. 4 weeks ago 
   Press Segment for the new film - CLICK HERE : )
6. 1 month ago 

   72 Hours of Pure Chaos :: CMF 2009

   

   I’m on the sitting on the floor on the second level of Ackerman right now in a little, secluded area with the MacBook Pro that’s been a good friend this past week. Utterly exhausted, the film that I’ve been working on is finally done… well almost. I say that because it still needs to be turned into the Campus MovieFest folks. They’ll take back all the high-tech gear. Watch it, eventually. What they’ll see is a short story in five minutes. What they won’t though is the complete stress, chaos, and happiness involved in making this film.

   Film shoots never go as planned. That’s a given. There will always be chaos; a natural part of the process. However, the chaos, for anyway, has always been more spread out; little things here and there. This time around, things were going smoothly. But not just kind of smooth, it was as smooth as a newborn baby’s skin. The actors were ready and lined up (well 3/4 which is over 50%, so I was okay with it). They looked great in their wardrobe. Permits had a rough start but ended up working out just in the nick of time. Crew was ready and willing as were locations. It was a dream, but of course… it would not last.

   Three and a half hours before the shoot, I’m taking the bus back to my place (new tripod in hand). THe anxious/nervous/crazi(ness) of the impending shoot was getting to me. Maybe it would all work out. As the bus comes to a stop, “about a girl” starts blaring. It’s my phone, and this call was definitely “about a girl.” Her voice was a bit crackled, something wasn’t quite right. It’s Valerie, my lead actress. She was running an hour ago, tripped, and fell straight on the concrete, chipping her tooth. She’s freaking out. I’m worried about her health (and completely freaking out on the inside). Valerie’s in utter pain, and unless she can find an emergency dentist at 5:30pm on a Friday, she wouldn’t be able to make the shoot.

   Her health, my first priority. Second priority: damage control mixed with hyperventilation.

   Can we push the shoot back a day? Negative. Permits locked in as well as the cooperation of the UCPD.

   What did this mean? Find a potential new actress so we can get the film shot.

   Valerie was on the search for a dentist. I was on the search for a possible new “Kaitlin.” My excutive producer, Michelle, and I were calling everyone we could think of. Unfortunately, this actress couldn’t just be anyone, she needed to have certain characteristics. Many calls and texts later, my phone rings… it’s Valerie.

   She’s still in pain, but luckily was able to get a dentist for the next morning, thankfully. But that means for that night, I definitely need to find another actress. And after another 15-20 minutes of freaking out (director-side of me), the producer-side kicked in. One of the most amazing people in the world by name of Danielle Perrot came to the film’s rescue.

   From that point on, besides scurrying to find her an outfit and make her the new Kaitlin, the shoot overall went really well. Nicholas Tubbs, another one of the lead actors, just blew all of us away with his performance. I can honestly say he’s the most talented actor I’ve ever had the honor of working with. Danielle gave a stellar performance as well with a couple of hours of notice. The pieces just fell into place (and fit together relatively well). Day 1 ended around 2:40am for the cast/ crew and 6:00am for myself. Yet, until the film is locked, chaos still lingered… waiting for the next day. However, luckily for us Day 2 ran pretty smoothly (minus a minor setback in dealing with some police officers who were quite understanding).

   Editing took over my life for 24 hours (give or take a couple for sleep). Cut number 1 had all the pieces, but something felt off. Cut number 2 offered an unexpected twist due to a simplification of temporal space. However, sequence setting was a bit off. Cut 3… that was the money cut. It wasn’t to the tee of what it is now (Cut 4… which is for later use). Cut 3 was the CMF cut. There was no turning back. Number 3 is the one that could change everything.

7. 1 month ago 

   Ohio Weather in Southern California...

   Don’t like the rain. I understand its purpose, and I know how most people from SoCal love it when it rains but coming from Ohio, I don’t miss it… especially when I can’t find my umbrella. Where did that thing go? Hmm… oh well, what’s lost will be found in due time.

   Pre-Production for the next film is coming to a close, and we begin shooting in the days to come. Tonight we just finalized wardrobe/ makeup for all the actors. Camille, my amazing stylist for the film, did such a fantastic job and just completely transformed each actor into the character he/she played. Seriously, unbelievable.

   I ran into some old friends this week, each working on their own CMF film, and oddly enough it seems like this year, the films that we’re making are a bit different in that they’re much more personal to us. I know that’s how I feel. The story. The characters. Everything is a departure for me, but simultaneously, there are elements that I hope to have in all of my films. This year we’ve also been able to add some new members onto the CMF team; people who I find incredibly talented and definitely wanted to work with for a while now. Along with these changes and transitions, the 107 Productions banner has been put into retirement for the time being, and Kelly Li Productions is now in effect.

   I really miss my old 107 Productions cast/ crew, and although it would’ve been fantastic to have been able to do a final film together, I think there was a reason that things happen when they do. The group that I’m working with this year is a combination of the old and the new. I think it’s a sign of growth. Hopefully though, you’ll see a couple of familiar faces in the new film.

   Still much planning and storyboarding to be done before production begins! It’s been so long since I’ve been this excited about a project and a large part of it are the elements coming together. If you’re reading this, wish us luck on this adventure that we’re about to embark on. I know I always remain relatively secret, but hopefully the surprise will be well worth it.

   On a side note, I was able to go back to WB to have lunch with one of the directors/ creative producers of one of my favorite shows, CHUCK (which more people need to watch!). I wanted some honest advice from someone who was very successful in directing and still able to balance his personal and professional lives. The advice I got was amazing, and it just felt so great to be on set seeing a great group of people collaborate and enjoying doing their jobs. Absolutely fantastic.

   As the days of my senior year wind down, I only hope that I will be able to find success and happiness in what I’m passionate about. I hope I’ll be able to do so in perpetual California sunshine : D

8. 1 month ago 

   It begins for one last time::CMF

   It’s that time of the year again, Campus Movie Fest (CMF) will be upon us in a little less than a week. Every since the very first CMF at UCLA a couple of years ago, this time of the year has always been not only a chance for me to get to create a new film but to do so with a group of people that I really care about.

   School is a bit crazier than normal this quarter. Trying to do a lot in a shorter amount of time. Although there may be nights where I’m lack of sleep, it’s been an adventure. That’s what this year is about though. Another chapter of my life is in the beginning stages of its conclusion, I just realized that now is the time to really have no fear and just go for it. That’s what I’ve been trying to do.

   I’m currently in pre-production for the new film. Still so much to do, but I’m also quite excited. It’s been a little while since I’ve really felt such a surge of inspiration, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything falls into place. If you’re reading this, whomever you are, please send the crew and I super, awesome-luck vibes. I’ll be sure to keep this updated more than I have. Love and Life… two crazy and uncontrollable things. Awesome : )

   (P.S. This blog is dedicated to Miss Jane Sha. haha)

9. 2 months ago 

   It's crazy...

   …but inspiration just comes from the most random facets of life. Lately, I’ve felt, for lack of better words, uninspired. I hit one of those moments where I felt like I was kind of just drifting through the day-to-day motions. Even when I attempted to push myself into being creative and feel that mental invigoration, it just didn’t work. Then, somehow, I got inspired tonight. The moment was uncontrollable, and I don’t quite know how it happened but it did. Feeling inspired is one of the best feelings in the entire world. It’s priceless.

   The future’s coming faster than I can prepare. Hope this year will be a good one.

10. 3 months ago 

    Looking back on the things I've done...

    That’s something I always seem to do every now and then but especially when I come home to visit. When you’re in your daily routine, you’re just so engrossed in what you’re doing at that very moment that it’s usually a while before you get to take that step back to look at what’s actually going on in your life.

    I just finished a little over two months working at one of the most well-respected and well-reknowned studios in the world, Warner Bros. Now, I’m in the phase where I can’t believe it’s over but at the same time, I can. Just love parallels. I’ve been trying to think of how to describe working in a place that I’ve only dreamt about visiting. What words could I use to describe what’s inside those guarded gates… I really still don’t have those words figured out. I remember doing an interview about what I will miss most about my time at WB. After a moment to think about it, the thing I will miss most is being in-the-know. Everyday there are many people standing outside those gates of WB and wonder, “What goes on in there?” For those months, I was part of what went on in there. I was inside the gates that people drove or walked by with curiosity. My fellow interns were some very great and talented individuals and spent most of my lunches with two guys who are almost like brothers to me now. My bosses were fantastic and just amazing at their jobs. People think it’s an easy job to create what you see on TV, but I can honestly tell you no it is not. Of course, I got to meet some amazing people, learn many things that no school can really ever teach you, and experience moments that I will take with me for a long time to come. I don’t want to treat this with a goodbye but more of a “till we meet again.”

    

    Now, that I am back home for a bit, it dawns on me again how much more quickly time passes the older one gets. It sounds odd, but I honestly don’t remember what it’s like to be a student sitting in a lecture and studying for finals. This summer I’ve honestly felt like what you hear most adults do… wake up, eat breakfast, go to work for the next eight or nine hours, go home, go to bed, and do it all over again the next day. The fact that the cycle is done for the time being is messing with my system because I became so use to it.

    I can’t believe that I graduated high school more than three years ago. I got my license almost six years ago. In less than a year, I’m scheduled to be a college graduate. I keep thinking to myself, “That days a long day away.” But, it really isn’t. It’s right around the corner whether I’m okay with it or not. It’s time for me to realize that this time isn’t going to last forever. As many plans as I make and goals that I will try my best to achieve for the future, right now is the time to go for what I want because I’m not going to be sixteen again. I’m not going to be twentyone again. NOW is my time to really live life, so that I won’t regret it next time I’m looking back on the things I’ve done.

The Official Blog of filmmaker, Kelly Li.

Official Website at:
http://www.KellyLi.com

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