—— What initially sparked your interest in a filmmaking career?

I was ten years old and I was fascinated by the idea of filmmaking. I had seen all sorts of random videos on YouTube when the platform first became popular. Specifically, it was the process of editing a video and stringing clips together that was so hard to conceptualize and it felt like magic to me. I just had to figure it out. At the same time in my childhood, I was obsessed with skateboarding and so I just turned to what was right in front of me and started filming my friends and I skating around Hong Kong after school. As my interests, surroundings, and friends all changed as I grew up, filmmaking remained a constant element of how I interacted with the world. In high school I would choose a space or a building and challenge myself to make something visually interesting out of a seemingly static moment. I was always pushing myself to just make something with what I had access to, and those limitations taught me a lot as a filmmaker. While studying film at USC I began making commercials and branded films for architects and designers and really became a sponge, absorbing their exacting and meticulous tendencies into my own film work – something that I think has stuck with me to this day.

—— Do you envision a future as depicted in the vision video in which you were involved as a director?

Yes, I do envision such a future, although it probably won't be as simple as snapping your fingers to create something complete. I think the future will bring tools that simplify the communication of an idea. Streamlining the process to share what's in one's mind. I think no matter how "advanced" technologies get, filmmaking will always require some kind of communication skill. We don't only work with lots of different people because we need hands, it's also because filmmaking is a collection of perspectives. The excitement isn't just in pushing a button to produce something; it's in refining and workshopping the output with others.

Making this video was my first experience using virtual production and it was amazing to see what was possible. Every shot involved some element of virtual production or CG, presenting a stark contrast between the raw footage and the finished product. It was incredible to witness the scale of the virtual production stage. It underscored the need for specificity in execution, despite the expansive possibilities offered by advanced technologies. High-tech tools necessitate clear, directed creative visions because while they streamline processes, knowing exactly what the end product needs to be is still critical. This evolution will continue to simplify certain aspects, but the creative core—the idea—must always be there, guiding every decision on set.

—— How do you foresee the entertainment industry evolving in the next 10 years, particularly in film?

I'm sure there will be changes that we cannot foresee. For example, despite predictions of their decline, movie theaters in major cities in America have made an unexpected and significant comeback, which is something no one associated with technology improving. What I know for sure is that as filmmaking becomes more accessible and impressive technically, the stories with the most heart will rise to the top.

—— What will change, and what will remain the same, in the next 10 years?

In the next decade, the essence of filmmaking will remain unchanged because it's inherently a collaborative art. Even though I can technically do many roles myself, that's not what filmmaking is about. It's about collaborating and curating ideas from all over. This collaborative synergy is crucial; fresh insights keep the creative process vibrant. Despite advancements that might simplify some filmmaking to a button push, the best films will always involve a rich mixture of people and ideas.

One area I think will become more streamlined will be previsualization which in my eyes will enable filmmakers to refine concepts quickly. As someone who learns so much from having an idea and seeing it come to life, the ability to learn from multiple projects within a short timespan is invaluable. This rapid iteration process allows us to discard less promising ideas quickly and focus on what truly works. That's why I advocate for moving swiftly from one project to the next, continually evolving and improving. By not dwelling on ideas that might not be fruitful, we enhance both productivity and creative output.

—— How do you perceive transmedia's impact on filmmaking over the next decade?

It's hard to say for sure. There have been a handful of new approaches to transmedia that never really stuck. However, one way I could see the idea of transmedia influencing this world is by tailoring content to audience preferences, allowing for variations like happy or sad endings, based on individual tastes if there's a way to do that without altering the essence of the work of art, or the meaning. I think no matter what happens, there needs to remain a clear voice behind the work in order for people to be on board. Even in immersive formats like VR, where viewers have agency, the environment is still meticulously crafted by the creator. Every detail is intentional, guiding the audience while providing a semblance of freedom. We watch films to see the world through different lenses, and I think it's important that doesn't get lost.

—— What are your expectations for Sony Group's future, and what areas do you think need further development or focus from us?

Making virtual production more accessible as that technology grows will be exciting. Right now, the pre-production needed to build the sets that we shoot in is a huge hurdle. Even if it stays costly, having the flexibility to change more things up on set would be a big improvement. Regarding cameras, I often shoot with the Sony's VENICE, the digital cinema camera which the filmmaking community really loves as it provides so much flexibility and power to the creator. It's crucial that Sony keeps advancing their cameras, making them smaller, lighter, and more accessible. And continuing to listen to filmmakers. Understanding our needs directly influences Sony's product enhancements and innovation.