Chi Muoi Lo. Remember that name. He may not be a household name yet, but don't be surprised if that day comes soon. Lo is actor/writer/producer and director of the new film "Catfish in Black Bean Sauce." He was kind enough to talk with us about the challenges of handling so many titles, the entertainment industry and his favorite movies of the year.
OnMilwaukee.com: Are you at all surprised by all the critical acclaim "Catfish in Black Bean Sauce" is receiving?
Lo: Yes and no. Modesty makes me say yes, but I always felt like we had something there. But I'm happy because it's my first try and I think it's a good movie. I'm really happy with my cast and what we came up with.
OMC: What do you like about it?
L: It's entertaining, charming and it has a point to make. It also presents a perspective that is rarely ever seen. Does it make a huge difference in society or is it "Schindler's List?" No, none of that. My goal was to entertain more than anything.
OMC: During filming were you worried about your own performance since you were handling so many other duties?
Lo: Sure, and I do believe that as an actor I shortchanged myself somewhat. Would I do that again? Probably not.
OMC: What was the most difficult part of the movie: acting, writing, producing or directing?
L: I would say writing.
OMC: What made you decide to write a screenplay?
L: As a working actor, I work a lot of 16-hour days. Half of that is spent waiting in the trailer for the next shot. So there's a lot of downtime when you're not working. As an artist, I have a lot to say. The best way to vent is to write. It's an easy way to release your artistic point of view.
OMC: Are you happy with the script?
Lo: I learned a lot and I think it is a good screenplay. And I'm putting what I learned while writing this one into my next one.
OMC: Why did you direct?
Lo: I have always wanted to direct. I have been in acting schools since I was 10 and I have always directed while in school. I felt it was appropriate and the right time for it.
OMC: Did you get what you expected from it?
Lo: No. I really learned a lot. You can't help but be grateful for the opportunity to direct. People always complain about a first-time director. They think you shouldn't trust them. And now I know why they say that. There is so much that you don't know.
OMC: As a first-time director, was it easy to get the cast to trust you?
L: Yes, because they're actors and acting is my most skillful area. I know the acting business and I know what actors think. I've been acting for over 20 years. It's a marriage and I understand the relationship. I know what to say to them and how to earn their respect.
OMC: Did you ever consider limiting your duties on the movie, such as not acting or not directing?
L: I didn't plan on acting in the film, but we ran into two problems, which involved the budget and not finding the right person. We couldn't find an actor of the right age group to do the dialect. My co-producer and financier encouraged me to act in it and I realized that we could save money if I did. Directing was a certainty but maybe I shouldn't have acted. I will probably not carry four hats again.
OMC: Are you anything like the character you play?
L: When you write something as passionate as "Catfish" was for me, I don't see how I could avoid putting some of my own life into it. Is Dwayne me? No.
OMC: Was there ever any discussion about changing the title?
L: No. It seemed like everybody liked it. It works because it makes people notice it and wonder what it's about. From a marketing point it really works.
OMC: Would you rather work on studio projects or independent films?
L: Depending on the project, probably both. It depends on which medium and the script. In terms of directing, I probably couldn't direct something I wasn't interested in. It also has to do with time commitment. You have to commit more time to directing than you do to acting. I would love to direct other people's scripts as well as mine, as long as I am really passionate about the material.
OMC: Did you have enjoy working as an actor on "The Relic," which was a very big budget action movie?
L: Not as much as I enjoyed working on "Catfish." It did help me realize how to properly work with actors. I try to make my actors feel comfortable and welcome on the set. With "The Relic" I didn't have that. We were well paid and the food was good but the environment was not as actor friendly. The director did not make me feel as comfortable. There was one shot where I had to do seven takes because he didn't tell me what he wanted. If he had done that I wouldn't have had to do so many takes.
OMC: What are you working on right now?
L: I'm working on a project right now with a much bigger budget than "Catfish." The script is strong and I'm really excited about it. I'm going to write and direct it.
OMC: When will you start filming?
L: Six to eight months from now.
OM: Have you seen any good movies this year?
L: A few, but not a lot. Two that come to mind are "Billy Elliot" and "You Can Count On Me." In terms of the latter I loved the brother's character. You rarely get to see and know someone like that on screen and it was really great. I love movies like that. What scares me about Hollywood is they are greenlighting projects based on who's in them instead of what the material is. I think it should be based on the material first. It's the story first before anything else.
"Catfish in Black Bean Sauce" is playing at the Downer Theatre. Click here to read the review.
