Geek Syndicate
whole process comes to a halt. However, even when I write a script I always leave about 15% of it unfinished. Actually, it might be more accurate to say that I start working on a film not knowing what that 15% would look like. After preproduction and storyboarding, a third of the missing 5% is completed. Meeting with the cast brings about another 5%. As for the remaining 5%, I discover it on set. On the day of, I like to walk around set by myself and take in the area to discover what that location is offering, to understand how it speaks to me personally. After the lights go on and the cameras are set up, I watch the actors go through one or two camera rehearsals, and there are times when a bright light bulb suddenly blinks in my head. This is that magical moment in which the remaining 5% is completed. Perhaps this sort of directing is what could be considered my style. I believe that leaving 15% to be filled in later is the key factor that drives me to bring my film to completion. I believe that within this 15% is where you will find the emotion, nuance, rhythm and every beat of the film at their purest state. In Korea, the director has absolute authority and control on set. In Hollywood, however, the director does not, so using this process and style of directing is not an easy task. In Hollywood, everything must be set in stone beforehand. Never in Hollywood can one move on to the next stage with a vague picture in mind. or uproar among the crew and cast when I gave out of the blue direction, a totally unexpected setting, or just any new idea. That does not mean I was able to utilize this style as freely as I have in Korea. Each and every decision was an uphill battle, so it was emotionally and physically draining. I find 85% of the film within my organized, conscious mind, and 15% in the chaos of the subconscious. GS: How was it directing Arnold Schwarzenegger?! Was it nerve-wracking or exciting, and how did he take direction, being an icon!?
So how did I utilize my style in Hollywood? First of all, make no mistake. I tried my best to work within the Hollywood system. I planned everything in advance, and never caused confusion for the crew or the cast because of a director’s indecisiveness. The only thing I constantly reminded everyone of was the fact th ] \?H ??[?H[?Y[? ? ]???^[??\? [? ] \?H ??[?H ??Y][??[?H ? ???\? ?\??X?]\?H] ?\?^ ?[Y[ H?X?X[ ????]\?H???\?[?????x?&[H??[??]??[?? \??????\\?Y ?[?]?\?Y?H \???H[H ]Z]H ??\ X?[[? \??[Z\?X?\?\?Y??\?[????H?Z[???\???\?[?]?^\??X?]\?H? ??H[H] ?\??Z]\??\??K]?X??[????^?][????YH]?\?? ?H[?[ ^?Y H ?] X][?[?H ?\?H?? ?[HX[??\?8?$?Z?HH ?YH ??\ X?[?H \??[Z\? ??[?H??[??] ]\??? ?\???[?? ? ?\?[? \??[KH ?Y? ?^\?[?8?'x?&[H?H???'K?\???\?HX[? ???Z[?]Y H ??\?H?? X?Z[\? ???H ? H ?[?? ]??? [? ?\??Y\??[XY?H0?S[???]K ? L??M??