The HollyShorts Film Festival in Hollywood, CA begins August 10, 2011. Eric Yang’s film Esta segure conmigo will be screened on August 13th @ 2:30PM. For screening information and to purchased tickets visit their website here: HollyShorts
#1. Tell us about your background in film.
I learned a lot of the technical aspects of film production at a private college in San Francisco, but mostly I learned by doing it. As a child I had always thought I’d be a novelist or a journalist; I was interested in storytelling. I think it was in high school when I realized that film is the perfect medium for telling the stories I was interested in, and of course, it’s a great vehicle for self-expression.
#2. What inspired you to make You’re Safe With Me?
Initially, the short was actually intended to be a creative exercise. Since August of 2010 I’ve been shooting an average of two short films a month with a Canon T2i that my dad bought for me. I always wanted to do a film in Spanish; some of my favorite directors include Alfonso Cuaron and Pedro Almodovar. I wanted to pay homage to them, and also to try and tell a emotional, character-driven story in under five minutes.
#3. Who are the people involved in the project and how were they selected for the project?
It was a pretty small crew, basically me, the sound guy, and the two actors. I met Robert Renderos through a mutual friend, and I was introduced to Yvette Yates through Robert. I wrote the script specifically with Robert and Yvettes in mind. Yvette is such a natural talent. She went way beyond my expectations. And she’s doing some great work in feature films, too; she’s co-starring in Without Men with Christian Slater and Eva Longoria.
#4 What part of filmmaking is most exciting for you?
I love the collaboration. Nothing thrills me more than walking on to a movie set at six or seven in the morning and working with everyone involved. Even when I’m exhausted I’m always aware of the fact that it’s a huge privilege to be able to collaborate with these talented people who are there to tell a story with you.
#5. What is your next project?
I’m developing a short film about the Vietnam War, which hopefully I’ll be able to raise enough money to shoot this summer. It’s about an American paratrooper who survives a Napalm bombing, and he meets a North Vietnamese soldier whom he attempts to see as a human being rather than a faceless enemy. We’ve got some amazing people involved; Joseph Ruben, who directed Sleeping with the Enemy, is our story consultant, and our editor is Madeleine Gavin, who just finished cutting the Tobey Maguire film, The Details.
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