The World of Doug Ing

By I.H. Kuniyuki

<<go to page 1

Leslie was shot on hi8, 16mm and Beta SP. I consider it a Bermuda short, a long short film. Leslie was an homage to my sister who died of lupus.

Doug Is The One was made as a response to create a film for the Short Attention Span Film and Video Festival. The festival curates a reel of 60 two-minute films each year. Most people don't have two-minute pieces. You usually make something for the festival. I intended Doug Is The One to be comedic. I wanted to do a spoof on those dating videos that people make. I also have the trait of knowing a lot of odd facts. I would go on three-mile walks for exercise and these facts jelled into a short film. Some of the footage used in Doug, was found footage. I shot the dress blowing in the wind because it looked cool and later decided to use it. The bride pictured in the window and my reflection came about because I would always walk past this bridal shop in Queen Anne. The bride is an Asian bride. I noticed that you could see yourself in the window as a reflection. I thought that this would be a funny juxtaposition of images.

You Look Marvelous was my second short short. I had taken a 35mm picture of myself reflecting in the mirror every morning for two years. I wanted to do an animation piece like Castle. I watched an early episode of the X-Files and and then one made five years later. I noticed the change in Gillian Anderson and thought about my change. The crux of this piece was the interview with the doctor. I had a very difficult time getting a doctor to interview. My friend, Charlene recommended Dr. Anna Ragaz, a "looks" MD. She was kind enough to be interviewed. I was inspired to animate the pictures by noticing a strange quirk of my hi8 camera. If you turn the camera on and off quickly, you can get the camera to shoot only four frames of video at a time. I also was able to edit You Look Marvelous at TCI Public access. They have free editing equipment-if you don't mind using tape to tape nonlinear editing.

Masked Man was inspired by a true confessions letter. I read the Bible of low budget filmmaking, How to make a feature film for the cost of a used car. Rick said that if you don't have a script take inspiration from those tabloid stories. I did exactly that. I wrote a very funny script. I attempted to do the script as is but was frustrated that I couldn't find someone to record the sound for free. I decided to do the film without sound and then add a voice-over later. This made the film too experimental for most people. The only public screening was at Elliott Bay Book Company. I too think Masked Man was a great film. I think about remaking it, either using the original script or recutting the film with other footage. It's one of my disappointments that no film festival in the world will show Masked Man. I also made Masked Man when I like every other beginning director thinks that they can direct. My DP, Jesse Wine actually did some of the directing. I am proud that I directed the sex scene. Maybe I should direct a sex film. Masked Man was also made as one of my earliest responses to Asian consciousness. I grew up in Hawaii and really didn't become aware that I was Asian until I hit the Asian Film Festival circuit. I wanted to do for Asian America what Spike Lee did for African America.

Digital is a video format. My first exploration into video was shooting hi8 video. I think hi8 is still a wonderful acquisition format. It's only a hundred line resolution difference from digital. I love shooting digital video because I can edit directing into my computer via firewire. I have a Mac G3 with Final Cut Pro installed. I use a Canon XL 1 but don't like the bulkiness of the camera. I would love to buy a PAL version of a Sony VX2000, the successor to the famed VX1000. This would allow a great looking transfer to film. As a documentary filmmaker, MiniDV allows you a lower cost start up in making your project. I'm also awaiting delivery of a Fisher Price Pixelvision camera. I want to get more experimental.

I moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. My hobbies are watching a lot of non-mainstream movies, I see about 250 movies a year in the theater, cooking and talking with my friends. I like to go to the you District and the I district. [U district= University District, area nearby the campus, I district= International District, the area that some call Chinatown, but is definitely international]

My parents, especially my Dad, have been somewhat supportive. My Mom is worried that I won't be able to get married and have a family because no woman wants to marry someone without a good paying job. My Dad really wants me to go to graduate school.

I usually attend a film festival if my work is accepted. I attend SIFF and do buy a full series pass.

250 or so.

Asian Americans and the dating scene... blind dates, setups via friends, or just walk up and meet someone? What’s your angle?

I actually had an interesting blind date story that I'm using in my film on dating. I usually get a date by having an interesting conversation then ask out. I need to be a little more aggressive.

I would like to marry an Asian or ethnic not white-perhaps Hispanic

Ethnicity is not too important.

I would love to have a family so the woman has to be my age, younger or only A few years older. I would say an age range of 20 to 38.

Yes compatibility is very important. The woman would have to appreciate my sense of humor. She would have to laugh at life.

I have a lot of interests ranging from anthropology to medicine. I can talk about anything. I'm a good listener.

Sometimes I can be very full of myself. I will talk about something that happened to me as if the world revolves around me.

I'd like to be able to talk to more people like Johnny Carson did. I want people to feel at ease with me.

I don't know if I have a perfect type. I consider many women attractive sometimes physical and sometimes inner beauty. If I really have to chose, there's a hapa woman Temple MFA who lives in Philadelphia. No you can't name her even though you know who she is. We're a lot alike. The last time I saw her was in LA at the Asian American Film Festival. We were introduced. She shook my hand limply. I gave her my You Look Marvelous postcard with all my contact information on it. She's obviously not interested in me anymore. Will she change her mind? Not likely.

<<go to page 1

Web meniscuszine.com

Share this article:

Follow us on:

Twitter

Current issue | Back issues | About Meniscus Magazine | Our staff | Submission guidelines | Cool links

© 2000-2011 Meniscus Magazine << admin @ meniscuszine.com > >