Shooting star Paul Gan-ning for the world
It was my first venture into the film-making industry and I entered the competition, ending triumphantly as I emerged the champion.
KUCHING: Malaysian filmmaker Paul Gan, a well-known director in the independent fi lm scene, shot to fame in 2014 with his guitar hero-inspired short film ‘ The Boy Who Rocked the World’ by winning the Astro Sundance Short Film contest that year.
After scoring the prime debut, Gan has all guns blazing to elevate the local film-making industry with the noble aim to make it known in the eyes of the world.
The28-year-oldtallandcharming lad decided to venture into the filmmaking industry with the short film, to prove that Malaysia has many amazing talents that need to be highlighted, and he did just that by winning the award and several other recognitions the following years.
“The fi lm ‘The Boy Who Rocked the World’ was produced in 2014 as I thought I needed something to prove I have the talent and ability in making videos and fi lms.
“It was my first venture into the film-making industry and I entered the competition, ending triumphantly as I emerged the champion,” said Gan of the awardwinning short fi lm when met in Kuching recently.
By winning the award, Gan had the privilege to attend the 2015 Sundance Film Festival that took place at Park City, Utah in the United States from Jan 22 to Feb 1, 2015. At the fi lm fest, Gan did not miss the opportunities to attend several film-making workshops and movie screenings to enhance his hand in directing fi lms.
Later in 2015, his stardom raised further after ‘The Boy Who Rocked the World’ was premiered at the Sundance Channel on Aug 31 in conjunction with National Day.
Referring to the short film, Gan said his teenage years enriched him with sentimental yet significant elements that he incorporated into the fi lm which many could relate to.
“I did not come from a wealthy family. I remember going around town with only RM1 in my wallet as a high school student. A few times, when I was a boy, after watching people playing video games, I wished I had it at home too.
“As I grew older, I became more interested in music. I decided to pick up a guitar and started playing. I remember at that time as my mother was driving me in the outskirts of a town, I saw two teenagers playing the guitar in front of their house and that became the opening scene for ‘The Boy Who Rocked the World’,” said Gan on some of the personal touches he embedded in the short fi lm.
Gan, who perceives himself as a person who thinks differently, said that growing up, he had always been understood by many.
“Things were not easy for me when I was a kid. In ‘ The Boy Who Rocked the World’, Aiman lives in a similar situation and uses his imagination to escape reality.”
After winning the competition, Gan continues to produce fi lms, hoping that his artwork will be released throughout Asia, Europe and the US.
Gan has also been producing videos for clients such as Astro on Demand where he and his production team created mock-up videos including ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘ Minions’. He had also been working on video projects such as music and experimental videos for Tiger Beer.
“I also produced another short fi lm entitled ‘ The Ingredients in Us,” said Gan of the short film that eventually won him second place in the Celcom ESCAPE Shots Merdeka video contest.
The desire to become a filmmaker came after Gan, who fi rst dreamt to become an actor, realised that it was not worth it to just become an actor.
“Although I have always wanted to become an actor, I realise that no matter how good a person is as an actor or an actress, the story that they act in plays a crucial role in bringing out the best in them.
“I also acknowledge that back then, there were not many Malaysians who became prominent fi lmmakers and could produce good fi lms. Therefore, I decided to become a fi lm-maker,” said Gan, adding that his dream to become an actor would live on until today.
Gan harbours aspirations in the film-making industry since he was 18, which led him to graduate from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman with a Bachelor of Communication ( Hons) Broadcasting.
He also attended several film-making courses including those organised by National Film Development Corporation Malaysia ( Finas) with several professionals and notable directors to learn directing and production of fi lms.
“I was also chosen as one of 20 participants to fly to Korea to attend the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival ( Bifan) to be trained by international film-makers and film festival organisers in an eight- day master class programme.”
Gan acknowledges that the job as a fi lm-maker requires a person to be adventurous.
“The challenges include jumping between passion and work. It is essential to create a balance between these two to secure your fortune. It is also important to not lose your sense of artistry. Sometimes, it can be easy to make money, but if you continue to make more money you will tend to forget your passion and focus on just earnings.
“Hence, your soul as a filmmaker will fade. The line is very thin and fi lm-makers need to be wary of it,” said Gan, adding that other struggles include budgeting and fi nding the right producers for his artwork.
Gan owns a production company ‘ Wedeoh Pixels’ that produces corporate videos for clients to earn a living. He also tries his hand at producing quirky videos packed with fascinating visual effects via his YouTube channel Tiny Rex.
Gan also received other recognitions for ‘ The Boy Who Rocked the World’ from several film awards including the 2013 BMW Shorties Malaysia for Best Cinematography, Best Set Design and Best Sound Design categories. He was also named as the Best Young Film-maker at the Malaysia Digital Film Awards 2013, apart from winning the Best Media and Experimental, Best Editing and Best Short Film categories at the fi lm award.
Nevertheless, Gan never overestimates his ability in fi lmmaking, and continues to hone his skills. “It is true that winning several competitions does not guarantee you a place in the fi lmmaking industry, as a lot of effort is needed to in order to continue producing good fi lms.”
He emphasises three important functions that fi lm-makers must always observe: “To inform, entertain and to educate. It has always been a privilege for me to be able to implant something for the general public to think about.
Paul Gan, film-maker
As such, through ‘ The Boy Who Rocked the World’, I wish to remind people about things they have been taking advantage of, things that were taken for granted in today’s world as we are seemingly moving forward.
“It is important to note that there are still people in our society whom we tend to forget, including the underprivileged and the voiceless,” said Gan.
Christopher Nolan and the Wachowskis are among filmmakers that Gan look up to.
“Their films never fail to impress me. Nolan has opened my sense of perspective, making me believe in reading as the more you have in your mind as a director, the more you can expose it to the audience and bring them to a new world and perspectives.
“As for the Wachowskis, their films are awesome, especially The Matrix. When I fi rst watched the film, I was amazed by all the elements that they had incorporated including action, love and philosophies. I also love ‘Cloud Atlas’. These fi lm directors really inspire me,” he said.
Gan describes himself as a fi lm director who loves to experiment in various genres of films and always being ambitious.
“I have always been dreaming of bringing my fi lms onto the big screen. I strive to tell a better story which is true to me and hopefully it will also move hearts in the audience,” said Gan, adding that fi lm enthusiasts could also expect a new feature fi lm from him in the next three years.
As for the fi lm-making scene in Sarawak, Gan said it has enormous potential to go global.
“In Sarawak, I realise there are lots of young people who want to pursue a career in the film-making industry. They are just lacking assistance and continuous support from relevant bodies including the state government to help them in their efforts to move the industry further.”
The unending support is crucial in helping local fi lm enthusiasts to promote, educate and bring in talents to teach and train them in the film-making industry, thus bringing their fi lms out there, he said.
“As such, through Azam Sarawak fi lm-making workshops, many fi lm enthusiasts manage to come together to know what it takes to move forward in the fi lmmaking industry.
“Sarawak needs more platforms to enable them to voice their ideas,” said Gan, adding that with continuous support, local young film-makers could then follow in the footsteps of renowned Sarawakian film director James Wan who has made his name internationally.
Gan also believes the culture of making films in the state needs a leg-up.
“Perhaps, with continuous support in the next five years, we can see a more vibrant filmmaking industry in Sarawak.”
It is also important to utilise technologies well to promote artwork and talents of local fi lmmakers.
“The younger generation today has greater access to the Internet and they must learn to use it well, including YouTube, and television to showcase their amazing talents. Apart from that, they can also initiate more guilds to gather the community of film-makers who are active in the industry,” he said.
On his advice to aspiring fi lmmakers, Gan encouraged them to never stop learning and reading.
“A fi lm-maker’s job is to bring a perspective to the audience and the broader your knowledge is, the wider your perspective will be.
“As for local film-makers in Sarawak, I would like to encourage you to appreciate your cultures and all the beautiful things that you have in the state. I believe there are lots of stories that you can tell and it is time for you to tell it to the world as many want to know and love Sarawak and the wonders that it has,” he added.