Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Al Chang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Al , appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

In hindsight, later. I don’t think I was mentally ready to take on the challenges of being a filmmaker. There are two big chapters in my life, before my first born and after my first born. I’ve always had that itch to be creative in any way shape of form, but it wasn’t until I had my son, lost my job, and joined the military that I honed in on what I wanted out of life and myself. There will always be that thought of what if. I know my reasons for doing this would not have come from a genuine place. The art of this means more to me now. The fulfillment comes from the journey and the relationships I build along the way, not the outcome. As corny as that may sound, it is the absolute truth.

Al , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I grew up in Koreatown, Los Angeles. I’m the eldest, of my two brothers. I grew up glued to the tv. Before devices, we had a television set. I connected with everything I watched, and I couldn’t get enough of it. My dad, who also loves movies used to take me to watch two or three films in one sitting. It was during those times that I first connected with and got introduced to the world of cinema. From an early age, I enjoyed a range of genres from serious dramas to slapstick comedies and action films. Nowadays we witness an influx of movies and TV shows on platforms; however, I can’t help but feel that we had access to a broader selection of original films back then. I remember watching Terminator 2, it was a matinee showing and my first R-rated film. I was blown away, that rollercoaster of emotions I went on became an addiction. Everyone has that one moment that ignites their love for “something” and fuels their pursuit of it; this experience was mine. As a director, writer, and editor, I strive to gain knowledge in every aspect of the craft. Currently pursuing my MFA in Editing at Chapman University. Before this, I spent a decade serving in the Army before deciding to pursue my filmmaking dreams using the military benefits. Both my wife and I are full-time students while also juggling four children and side jobs. Our days are incredibly busy, but we take it one day at a time without getting overwhelmed by the workload. Over time, we’ve learned to adapt and handle whatever challenges come our way. Despite being busy with my MFA program, I’m grateful that I’ve found some time outside of school to work on my short films. While focusing primarily on editing during my studies, I love the creative challenges that writing and directing bring to the table. Each aspect plays an integral role in the overall filmmaking process; they rely on each other for success. I’ve tried to teach myself a little bit of everything that goes into making a film. I think it’s important to understand each layer and understand the language of what each department creates. Everyone has their way of working and what works best for them. This is what I’ve discovered works best for me.
My journey into writing and directing started because I needed material to edit. I hated waiting around for people who ultimately didn’t come through on their end. I’ve been met with a lot of empty promises. I just couldn’t wait around anymore, so I decided to take things into my own hands. I bought an entire camera set and the whole rig but never used it because I partnered with my DP friend, Roger Lee, who has been working as a DP for many years. We’ve found ways to keep our productions small and resourceful by seeking help from my family and friends. Having a support system is incredibly important. Starting a project isn’t easy, but it requires a lot of creativity to figure out how to bring something to life. It’s important to challenge yourself by exploring new boundaries while also being aware of your limitations. Many people miss out on the opportunity to tackle a film because they create obstacles within the story. They essentially write themselves out of the opportunity to actual make something. I don’t have a lot of money to make something happen, my goal is to just make something happen. Find creative ways around a tight budget. Saving up takes time and crowdfunding is often unreliable. I’ve tried to write short films that are easy to produce. So far, we’ve completed three short films and now I’m working on my fourth. Each project allows me to explore different storytelling genres. I’ve explored various types of stories from crime dramas, comedies, and suspense thrillers. For my next project, I plan to tell a story about a psychological drama. Each genre brings its own set of challenges and although the writing styles may differ, they all contribute to each other. As I tackle different projects and solve problems, I find myself discovering more solutions.
When I started this venture, I wasn’t sure where it would lead me or if it would lead anywhere at all. As a parent, I always keep in mind the responsibility I have towards those under my care. Often that means putting their needs before my own and making choices that benefit everyone. Taking this path into the film industry was indeed a big risk compared to many other professions, but I had to take that chance regardless of success or failure. How could I encourage my kids to pursue their dreams if I didn’t do the same? One thing that was certain for me was that my time in the military instilled valuable traits such as discipline, self-motivation, and consistency.
I don’t believe I would have been prepared for this adventure if it hadn’t been for all the hardships I’ve gone through and gained knowledge from, not only in the realm of movies but also life. By placing myself in situations where I felt exposed, I learned a great deal about my own identity and discovered what I’m capable of.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The fulfilling aspect of my work is the relationships I’ve formed. Building connections was a priority for me when I first began this journey. I didn’t want to collaborate with strangers or mere acquaintances on my projects. The individuals who worked on my first short film were people I had met during my college years, we shared some film classes and after Covid, I reached out to a few of them to collaborate on a short film. Long story short it didn’t go well at all and from that experience I learned a valuable lesson; your team is the cornerstone of success. Throughout my life whether through playing sports, pursuing music alongside two of my close friends, or holding leadership positions in the military, one common takeaway has been that you are only as strong as those around you or as capable as your weakest link. Fortunately for the three shorts I’ve worked on, I’ve had the fortune of working with the same team consistently. Both crew and actors, it has been immensely gratifying witnessing each team member grow in their respective fields. Together we have made tremendous progress, and our collective efforts are gradually becoming more evident in our work. I hope that we can continue collaborating for as long as possible.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My drive is my family, everything I do is with them in mind. My production company first started as 3lcfilm but that name quickly changed when my fourth child was born, now we’re 4lcfilm. It kind of worked out in a funny way because it looks like Al C. I am very goal-oriented. Everyone should have that “something” they are working towards, no matter how big or small it is. There is a quote that I hold near and dear “Without commitment, you’ll never start, but more importantly, without consistency, you’ll never finish.”
Consistency is the key to moving forward in every aspect of our day to day. Rarely does anything happen overnight nor should you want it to. You might not be prepared to sustain that blessing. The journey will never be easy, anything worth its value should never come without a cost. I’m working on my fourth short film now and with each project, the process has become more natural but not easy. I’ve never been one to take shortcuts or look for an easy quicker path.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/4lcfilm
• Other: vimeo https://vimeo.com/showcase/10640228

Image Credits
Photos belong to 4lcfilm