A “Must Listen” episode of BEHIND THE LENS is one that filmmakers and aspiring filmmakers don’t want to miss thanks to our special guest STEVE BALDERSON who is live talking about his new book How To Find Investors, plus his new film ALCHEMY OF THE SPIRIT making its world premiere at Santa Fe Film Festival on February 12. And as if that’s not enough for you, how about our exclusive interview with the wonderful KENNY LEU talking about his new film, the powerful A SHOT THROUGH THE WALL.
An accomplished filmmaker in his own right, not to mention author, speaker, and so much more, I am thrilled to welcome STEVE BALDERSON back to #BTLRadioShow who not only talks about his latest film ALCHEMY OF THE SPIRIT which is screening at The Santa Fe Film Festival but his latest book, HOW TO FIND INVESTORS. Regular listeners will recall that Steve has been on the show before talking about his last book Filmmaking Confidential which is chock full of tips and techniques for filmmakers. It’s one thing to want to make a film. It’s another to get the money to make it. Listen as Steve and I delve into the book and the successful process he has used to find investors for his 17 feature films. We go through and breakdown his methodology and the chapters in the book, hitting on key information and highlights. An interesting book and an interesting conversation.
And what about Steve’s other new books that are out? PHONE SEX? Steve also gives us the skinny on what that’s all about and its very interesting genesis. AND then there’s a just-released companion paperback coffee table book to ALCHEMY OF THE SPIRIT, entitled SHOT BY SHOT: ALCHEMY OF THE SPIRIT which we also talk about. Steve has so much going on, I’m very fortunate he found time to come on #BTLRadioShow!
But before Steve joins us live, we take a look at the powerful and topical new film from Aimee Long – A SHOT THROUGH THE WALL – and my exclusive interview with the film’s lead actor KENNY LEU who plays Officer Mike Tan. Pulled right from life and an event that happened several years ago before the Black Lives Matter movement, this is the story of an accidental shooting of an innocent Black man in Brooklyn and Chinese-American police officer Mike Tan who must wade through his profound guilt as he attempts to navigate the complicated worlds of media, justice, and racial politics.
Dedicated, passionate, and an effervescent joy, Kenny bares all with thoughtful honesty and frankness talking about the film and its unique perspective of including the Asian community. A film that blends cultures and tackles multi-layered issues, including interracial relationships, Kenny discusses the authenticity of the Asian culture represented in the film, his research in preparing for the role (he actually went through the LAPD Academy training!), finding the character of Mike Tan within himself, his general thoughts on storytelling and what drives him and what he looks for in a role, and more. Kenny is definitely one of my favorite interviews.
