We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Luke Park a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Luke, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve had the privilege of working on is a short film called “Ibrahim,” where I was the director of photography. This project was very special, not only because of its unique storyline but also the unique circumstances and context surrounding its creation.

The film “Ibrahim” centers around the life of a young Syrian refugee named Ibrahim, who has spent the last three years in the United States. What made this project particularly meaningful was the authentic representation of the Middle Eastern community both in front of and behind the camera. Many people on the crew were part of the Middle Eastern community including the director and the main cast for Ibrahim. I was grateful to contribute to this unique and meaningful film as a director of photography.

The production process was a unique experience, as most of the film’s dialogue was in Arabic. This required me and some crew members to navigate the complexities of language barriers on set. We often relied on the assistance of a translator or non-verbal communication, using body language to communicate.

The opportunity to collaborate with a passionate team and contribute to a project that reflects the realities faced by the Middle Eastern community has been both humbling and rewarding. It reminded me of the power of storytelling and art to bridge cultural gaps, advocate for underrepresented voices, and ignite meaningful conversations.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a cinematographer from South Korea, currently studying Film and Television at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta.

My love for capturing moments and telling stories through visuals began at a young age, inspired by my dad’s quote, “Nothing lasts except photos and videos”. It somehow motivated me to capture everything I see and experience with a camera. Now I capture more than just a moment with a camera. I capture emotions and tell the stories using a camera.

I have recently worked on films like “Oak,” “2142,” “Ibrahim,” and “Eyes of a Child,” which are currently in post-production. These projects reflect my dedication to capturing the beauty and depth of human experiences. I can’t wait to show them to the world.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As a cinematographer, my ultimate goal is to create films that have a strong impact on people all over the world. While I appreciate awards and recognition, they are not the sole focus. They serve as physical milestones that indicate progress and open doors for future opportunities. What drives me is the desire to tell meaningful stories through captivating visuals that evoke genuine emotions in the audience. Ultimately, I want to use the medium of cinematography to convey the essence of stories and create an enduring impact that resonates with audiences.

I believe that cinematography is more than just capturing beautiful shots. It is about expressing the heart and soul of a story through visual storytelling. A truly exceptional film has the ability to transport us to different worlds, evoke deep feelings, and leave a long-lasting impression on our minds and hearts. This is the kind of impact I aim to achieve with my work.

In short words, I just want to make a film that everyone talks about for years and years.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being a cinematographer in films and other projects is incredibly rewarding. I think the reason behind it is that the process itself involves a significant amount of hard work and dedication. From pre-production planning to capturing the scenes and post-production, it requires a long time and much effort. When I finally watch the completed video, the feeling of accomplishment is indescribable.

Also, when working on narrative projects, one of the most rewarding aspects is the ability to tell a story and evoke emotions through visual storytelling. When I successfully execute a shot and when it helps to tell the story and emotions, it really makes me proud. Another thing is the feedback and reactions from the audience. It plays a big role in making this process so rewarding. Hearing the audience talk about the shots and how they helped the storytelling is satisfying.    

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lukeparkcine.com/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukeparkcine/

Image Credits
Behind the scene of “Ibrahim” by Fulani Jabri Behind the scene of “Ibrahim” by Fulani Jabri Behind the scene of “Ibrahim” by Fulani Jabri Behind the scene of “Rhapsody Warfare” by @ruiqifilm on Instagram