An interview with Taili Wu from Taiwan director of ROUE
ReelHeART: Taili U There…?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: yes:-)
ReelHeART: HiTaili, my name is Ben. We’re going to play a little game called “20 Questions”. Are you ready?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: ok, let’s do it:-)
ReelHeART: How are you tonight?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: I am good, thanks Ben. how about you?
ReelHeART: Good thanks. A little tired. Can’t wait to hit the sack.
What are you seeing on your desk right now while we’re chatting? Give me a list…
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: ha. my robot no.1, peanut butter & apple as my dinner, a box of color pencil form school time, 2 months old sketch old…almost time to retire XD
ReelHeART: Small dinner. I was just watching your trailer http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi3121807897/
Can you please tell our visitors where you’re from (Your name intrigues me), the name of your film, the genre and when it’s screening at ReelHeART
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: I am from a small town in the middle part of Taiwan.
I am very normal… but, I had a lot of weird dreams since I was little that’s why I decided to make a film about myself & my dreams.
The film (name), ROUE, means rub back and forth. For me it’s more like a journey inside myself. Reading fragments of my dreams, childhood memories and emotions. Besides, I am amazed by the magic of toys, and I enjoy making surprises out of them… Oh, my films screens a couple of times but the first time is Wednesday June 22, in the Venue Program, 8PM
ReelHeART: Okay. Here’s the link for everybody to click on
http://reelheart.org/wednesday/wednesday-venue-program-8pm/
For someone from a small town you have a very BIG imagination.
What or Whom inspired you to get into filmmaking?
Could you have expressed these dreams and emotions in another medium?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: My mom always plays an important role in my life. She encourages me to chase my dream and follow my heart.
ReelHeART: That’s a really nice Mom 🙂
As an experimental filmmaker do you ever branch out onto other genres?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: yes, I am working on some commercial works in the last 2 years. It’s good experience for me to challenge myself, learning to tell stories in a shorter term.
ReelHeART: The trailer for your film ROUE is mezmerizing. How many processes were there to making your film and can you tell us a little about them?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: hmm…I was having fun working on the film. I do sketches, puppets, shoot video, print-making, and mix them with hand drawings, a little bit 3D…sort of mixing around with all kinds of medium I enjoyed.
ReelHeART: What did you study at School… Filmmaking or ART?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: I studied Fine Art in College and Computer Art for masters degree.
ReelHeART: Well you must’ve been an “A” Student because it really shows in your film.
How long did it take from pre-production to post-production?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: I was lucky to met a cool director at college. He actually changed me a lot and taught me a lot of stuff, but no, I wasn’t a good student as you think. This film was made during my 2nd year of MFA. Including pre-production and post-production, I had an year playing crazily with it.
ReelHeART: Where there any pitfalls while making your film. Anything go REALLY wrong…?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: hmm…that happens to me all the time, especially when the topic is so close to me, and my subject is myself. I always get into a loop…draw something for the entire day, and then I dislike it the next day.
But, it was a great time when I think of the old time pretty interesting to see my dilemma of making decisions.
ReelHeART: So, What pleases you most about your film?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: hmm…to make my dreams into a film is a big fulfillment and to get into ReelHeART:-)
ReelHeART: So you’re loving what you do. That’s great.
Is there anything that displeases you about your film Taili?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: of course! XD (haha) some parts of Taili is too dark, I am learning to see the bright side more lately. So…stay positive
ReelHeART: Lol. So you’re leaving the “Dark Side”…
How did you hear about ReelHeART?
And, Is this a Canadian premiere?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: hmm…I got an email from ReelHeART an invitation. I was very interested about the festival, and it’s direction. That’s why I sent my film.
ReelHeART: Oh, so maybe during our research for films they found your film online or at another festival. Cool.
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: My good luck!
ReelHeART: Our Good luck 😀
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: haha, thanks Ben!
ReelHeART: Being from Taiwan what was the most surprising thing you saw when you came to North America?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: Definitely the art environment here. Art museums, galleries, and tons of open studios… and film festivals
ReelHeART: Just like Toronto. Waaayyyy too many film festivals.
What city do you live now?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: I am in NYC now
ReelHeART: Oh yeah. NYC was built on ART!
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: ha, ye…lucky lucky!
ReelHeART: ART and restaurants..!
What’s your next project Taili?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: hmm…next project is a short film about wind and a little town. A town that only comes alive when the wind blows.
ReelHeART: Ohh. Sounds mysterious.
We’re in the home stretch now. We borrowed a couple of questions from James Lipton at “Inside The Actor’s Studio”
What sound or noise do you hate?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: hmm….construction noise, subway trains aw and one more: — bridesmaids — XD
ReelHeART: You hate bridesmaids? The squealing things they do when they’re drunk..? too funny.
What sound or noise do you love?
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: I love nature sounds, like winds yes, I hate bridesmaids, there are too many here in the city
ReelHeART: LMAO!!
What’s your favorite curse word? (In any language)
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: XD 吃大便
That’s “go eat shit” in Chinese XD
ReelHeART: ROTFLMAO! I’m going to get that as a tattoo!
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: hahaha
ReelHeART: Finally Taili, Is there anything you’d like to mention in this chat, knowing that it’s published on the Internet and will live on forever …
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: I am a happy monster now:-)
That’s what I wanna share with everyone, be happy and be yourself
ReelHeART: I’ll tell that to Lady Gaga!
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: haha . cool
ReelHeART: That’s all of my questions Taili. I want to remind our visitors about your film ROUE, directed by Taili Wu fromTaiwan an experimental short film, which is a self-portrait composed by fragments of dreams, childhood memories and emotions.
It premieres Wednesday June 22 http://reelheart.org/wednesday/wednesday-venue-program-8pm/
ReelHeART: It was fun Taili! Have a great night… z-z-z-z-z
Taili Wu, director of “ROUE”: haha, you too Ben! It’s a nice chat with you!