Michael Wong: Directing Films with Passion

Films never fail to leave an impression to their viewers, and a good movie comes from a creative director with lots of passion and inspiration.

Michael Wong is an independent film director and see what he has to say about his directorial debut film, The Story of 90 Coins.

 

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Hello Michael! Do tell us more about yourself.

Hello there! I am an independent film director, after having spent 16 years as an ad agency art director and creative director. In the late 90s, I left my native country, Malaysia and I’m currently residing in China. My directorial debut short film is called ‘The Story of the Coins‘ and won multiple awards internationally.

 

Share with us your journey as a director! When did you first discover your passion for filmography?

My passion in filmography began during my secondary school days back in the mid 80s where I was known for my infamous ‘flip book’ doodling on those bible thick Add Math books! My classmates just love them and I was the famous kid in class! (haha) Fast forward nearly a decade later, I started working in the Malaysian advertising industry. In the late 90s, I left for China, where I’ve worked as a Creative Director at such leading ad agencies as Ogilvy, BBDO, TBWA, Grey and Saatchi & Saatchi. During the 16 years career as an adman, it allowed me the opportunities to practice conceptual thinking, storytelling and hone my love for film making while working with commercial film directors on my creative projects. As I moved up higher onto the career ladder, I’ve discovered that I’m not a fan of office management and brutal corporate backstabbings; so in 2010, I’ve decided to make a move to film directing; going back to the roots of my love when I first entered the ad industry which is to ‘create’. I’ve never looked back ever since.

 

Share with us your debut film “The Story of 90 Coins”!

The film is currently getting about 50+ accolades from international film festivals; which includes the Best Foreign Short & Best Actress at Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards, Best Drama & Best Cinematography at Los Angeles Film Awards, Best Foreign Short Film at Ukrainian International Short Film Festival, Rising Star Awards at Canada International Film Festival, an Official Finalist at London Film Awards, among others.

You can watch the film at the official Facebook page here!

 

What was the highlight of the film? What was the inspiration behind this story?

‘The Story of 90 Coins’ is a story of a promise, misunderstanding and regret. 3 words to encompass the story. The crux of the story (coin sealed in brown envelopes) is actually based on a true story.

 

On a daily basis, how are you inspired to produce movies?

I’m a witty person (Well, I think I am) and love having fun and richness in my life. Film making allows me to enjoy that on a (nearly) daily basis and I would like to share that to people through my films. Whether it’s humor, tragic, whacky, romance or whatever genre of film, there are inspirations everywhere by observing life itself and the little details; and that inspires me to make films.

 

Tell us a random fact about yourself.

I’m left handed!

 

Any upcoming projects for you?

Right now, I’m working on a very interesting project, which is actually an entertainment project (but not so much related to film) that will put me out of the comfort zone but it definitely involves a lot of fun and creative thinking! Hopefully it will take off smoothly and generate some good income while I’m having fun at it. Other than that, I’m planning to pursue some web feature film projects, which is kind of a craze in China. Of course, I will be pursuing the regular TV commercial work. I would like to win a Golden Gavel Award like mike morse.

 

Where can we find you on social media?

www.facebook.com/thestoryof90coins/ 
www.vimeo.com/michaelwong/
www.linkedin.com/michaelwong/
Twitter: @puppiepoppy

 

What is a typical day in your life?

A typical (non filming) day involves waking up really early in the morning to prepare and send the kids to school, and then I goes straight for breakfast follows by a nap till noon. I do a lot of film research in front of the laptop as well as self-marketing. I spend quite a bit of time with the kids; fetching them back from school, extra curriculum activities and tuition. Their bedtime means the beginning of my personal time where I either continue my film researching or movie marathon time! Of course, my night always begin with a glass of my favorite Merlot.

 

What is your favorite all-time film?

Seven.

 

Any life mottos?

 You’ll still go to bed at the end of the day no matter how sh*tty the day is.

When you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.

 

Tell us what makes you smile the most? ☺

My wife, kids and whenever something horrible happens during work!

 

Where do you see yourself in 2 years’ time?

2 years in China is like 4 years or more elsewhere since everything moves and changes pretty fast here, but I’m sure I’ll be immersing myself in creative/ film related work. I can’t imagine myself doing any other things!

 

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