From DP to SWAT Samurai Director with Brian M. Tang

Show notes

Brian M. Tang is an Asian American director based in Los Angeles. His original SWAT samurai action short film, KODAMA, will have its world premiere at SXSW 2023. His recent directing work includes projects for virtual production company Impossible Objects and “Many Moons,” a film shot on location and in real time in the path of totality of the 2017 total solar eclipse. Informing his director sensibilities are his extensive background in cinematography and VFX.Brian’s DP work has appeared at the Telluride Film Festival, the Cannes Film Festival, the Student Academy Awards, and on Netflix. A USC alum, Brian grew up in Marlboro, New Jersey.
In this episode we discuss how Brian successfully crowdfunded a film that got into SXSW and gained interest from agents and production companies before it even screened. We also talk about how his work as a cinematographer and VFX artist prepared him for the leap into directing, how watching movies and making stop-motion films from Legos as a child formed his cinematic taste, and how he went from being unsure how to pay bills after film school to becoming a rostered director.
Connect with Brian on Instagram: @b_tang

1. 1:00Introduction of Brian
2. 2:35Kodama - SXSW 2023 selection
3. 22:06Brian’s early days of filmmaking
4. 34:24USC
5. 36:58Under Darkness and Bolero - Telluride selections & Student Academy Award-nominated films
6. 45:38Many Moons - shot on location during the 2017 total solar eclipse
7. 56:30The Last Whistle - first feature film in theaters & on Netflix
8. 1:01:37Bolt from the Blue - feature film shot in Alaska
9. 1:04:15Important lessons - film school, VFX capabilities, having a secondary skill
10. 01:22:20Living situation impact on creativity
11. 01:24:45Advice for younger filmmakers
12. 01:31:00Overcoming slow periods
13. 01:35:07Time Capsule
14. 01:45:52Key Takeaways