28 Apr 016: Finding Chinese partners – An Overlooked Resource – US Embassies & MPAA
Filmmaker Jeffrey Gee Chin shares an underutilized resource for finding Chinese partners – the US Embassy and various screen associations.
Straddling both Hollywood and China, Jeffrey Gee Chin has been a second unit director on Billions (on Showtime) and Snowfall (on FX). He is also creating culturally preserving films like Lil Tokyo Reporter. He talks about how the diversity and #MeToo movements have opened the door for fresh voices in film and TV. Additionally, he talks about the advantage of connecting with a Hong Kong producer vs. a Mainland Chinese producer.
Additionally, he offers tips on casting and advises you’re better off casting Chinese singers over “A” list stars.
3 KEY POINTS
NOW IS THE TIME
The old guard of Film and TV is changing. They are looking for younger artists/filmmakers with a fresh perspective – this whole diversity movement and Me Too movement has opened up the doors for new voices.
SCHOOL ALUMNI
Acclaimed director John Singleton gave Jeffrey a huge head start as one of his USC professors. As you’ve heard before on this podcast – use those alumni networks. People want to work with who people they know – who they have some history. So, go to your next alumni function.
HONG KONG vs MAINLAND CHINESE PRODUCERS
In short, you can go to Hong Kong or Guangzhou to find producing partners. Currently, Hong Kong legal agreements follow the Hong Kong system, not the mainland Chinese system. Jeffrey highlighted there’s a lot of startup film companies in Guangzhou so put them on your radar and get on theirs.
TAKEAWAYS
OVERSEAS CHINESE
Of course, there are great stories out there of overseas Chinese. For example, a Chinese person growing up in Africa or Ireland. This could be the spark of an idea for writers out there who are looking to shoot with the China market in mind but also take advantage of overseas tax breaks. Also – it’s a fresh idea. Hey, Chinese in Africa did great for Wolf Warrior 2. And as Jeffrey said – we all have the urge to travel and explore things. Make your protagonist a fish out of water (my words) in a foreign country. And according to Jeffrey – this is appealing to Chinese investors.
SINGERS OVER ACTORS
However, some “A” list Chinese actors are not attracting fans into movie theaters. And now Chinese investors are going after young singers. So, if you are casting – remember “A” list stars are expensive and booked usually on simultaneous projects for years. Consider casting a singer.
PRESERVE CULTURAL HERITAGE
Besides Chinese studios wanting a piece of the next Hollywood blockbuster – there is a desire to preserve their cultural heritage or invest in projects that do that for other cultures. Jeffrey mentioned there were several Chinese producers on the film “Marshall” which is the story of Thurgood Marshall, the crusading lawyer who would become the first African-American Supreme Court Justice.
FILM SCHOOL
In hindsight, Jeffrey said if he had to do it over again – he’d probably go to USC undergrad and then straight into the job market instead of getting a master’s in film.
LEARN MANDARIN
Additionally, a big skill in finding a Chinese producing partner is the ability to speak Mandarin. I would say nobody expects a foreigner to spend five years away from their job just to learn a new language. But if you show you want to participate in the culture – this can help develop a strong relationship with your potential partners.
PARTNERS
Conversely, the Hong Kong International Screen Association as a resource to find potential partners. I contacted them and alas they told me they don’t do that. So, I will keep looking and keep you posted.
China Hollywood Greenlight Podcast – Episode 16
Jeffrey Gee Chin, Filmmaker
Show Notes
Host: Caryn McCann
Website: https://chinahollywoodgreenlight.com
Podcasts: https://chinahollywoodgreenlight.com/podcasts-2/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheChinaList
Twitter: @chnlist
Guest: Jeffrey Gee Chin – Filmmaker
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leapman/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheLeapMan
Instagram:
Jeffrey’s film Lil Tokyo Reporter: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2396866/
Look for it in May on Xfinity: https://my.xfinity.com/asian-american
U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau: https://hk.usconsulate.gov
Hong Kong Screen Association:http://hkisa.film
Hong Kong Motion Pictures Association: https://www.mpaa.org/news_post/hongkong/
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