We were lucky to catch up with John Liang recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi John, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
Our first film RECOVERY, examined military PTSD and opioid addiction through the prism of a psychological thriller. My mother struggled with addiction for many years, but she ultimately died sober, and the film is dedicated to her. It is a film I am extremely proud of.
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 Chinese-American filmmaker from Chicago who studied film at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. While working as a writer for the Onion in New York, I directed several short films and worked as an associate producer for the independent drama ANIMALS (2014). Later on, I relocated to Los Angeles where I made my feature film debut as the co-writer and director of RECOVERY (2019), a psychological thriller that takes place in a women’s drug rehab center. The film was released online and on DVD in 2019. Shortly after, in the fall of 2019, I started Lonely Devil Films, a film production company exploring modern American life through the lens of genre filmmaking.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
In my work at Lonely Devil Films, I strive to prioritize Asian and female representation in my upcoming films through character creation and casting decisions. Additionally, I aim to support and uplift other Asian-American creatives, both on and off-screen.
Any advice for managing a team?
Having a clear vision and effectively communicating it to your team is critical in bringing your vision to fruition. Additionally, it is crucial to treat your colleagues with respect and remember that they are your peers and collaborators, not just people completing tasks. While you don’t have to be everybody’s best friend, acknowledging that their contributions are driving the project is essential.
Maintaining high morale is crucial, and it primarily depends on ensuring that your team has faith in you and the overarching goal. If they believe that you lack direction or competence, they are unlikely to remain committed to the project— or be excited to be part of it. 
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lonelydevilfilms.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lonelydevilfilms
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/lonelydevilfilms
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-liang-23915a133/
- Other: https://melagrana.bandcamp.com/track/glitter-no-age-cover
Image Credits
Jensen Taylor May Iosotaluno