We recently connected with Tong Luo and have shared our conversation below.
Tong, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
For me, working in the film and television industry often means finding a balance between artistic expression and commercial viability. In 2018, I was involved in a documentary project about children with cerebral palsy, centered around the theme of “Care and Growth.” We traveled to Wuxi, China, and interviewed nearly 20 children with cerebral palsy and their parents at the First People’s Hospital. Through this experience, I gained insight into the pain these children endure and the burdens placed on their families. It became clear to me that there was insufficient societal attention given to these families.
So, I chose to focus on a young boy named “Lan Lan” and documented every aspect of his life, including his daily routines, education, and treatment. In collaboration with the hospital’s technical department, we even designed a device to monitor the heart rate activity of children with cerebral palsy. Our documentary garnered widespread attention, resulting in the collection of over two hundred thousand RMB in donations for the hospital, which were allocated to families facing urgent difficulties.
This documentary project transformed societal perceptions, understanding, and acceptance of individuals with cerebral palsy. This, in my view, is the most meaningful outcome.
Tong, 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?
My name is Tong Luo, and I am currently based in Los Angeles, working as a film editor, director, and production designer. Entering this industry has ignited a passion for my career like never before. I thoroughly relish every moment spent in the process of filmmaking, and collaborating with others to bring a project to fruition is always exhilarating.
Editing and visual arts have been the gateways that led me into this industry. With over twelve years of experience in painting, I once aspired to be a painter. However, as my understanding of art deepened, I transitioned from static art to dynamic imagery, namely, film and digital media arts.
I have been involved in numerous film and television projects, accumulating extensive experience in directing, editing, and visual arts. These experiences have set me apart within the industry and provided opportunities to participate in larger-scale, commercially funded theatrical film projects. A strong foundation in visual arts, a background in animation, and hands-on experience in the film industry have allowed me to leverage my strengths.
I look forward to creating even more remarkable works through continued learning and exploration in the future.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I believe that the audience’s response from start to finish is something I care deeply about. While I acknowledge the importance of personal expression for artists, film, as an art form, also carries significant commercial aspects. The feedback and opinions of the audience are crucial. This is why I tend to lean towards creating commercial films. I hope that my work can reach a wider audience, rather than being solely for self-appreciation.
My years of experience have taught me that understanding the market and marketing is essential to gaining more viewership and exposure for your work. This is particularly crucial for young artists. Therefore, I highly recommend young filmmakers or artists, like myself, to delve deeper into understanding the market, the preferences and needs of the audience, as well as the current political and social context. This way, we can create works that seamlessly blend self-expression with market demands.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
As a filmmaker, I believe the key to communicating with people outside the industry lies in how I convey my ideas. For those in different fields, it’s not always easy for them to grasp what you’re trying to express. That’s why they often ask me questions like, “What’s your favorite movie?” or “What do you want to convey?” – these are topics of “common ground”. They understand it as a reflection of my artistic attitude, but they may not fully comprehend the creative process.
In reality, for film production, the pre-production phase is quite arduous and lengthy. When you finally reach the shooting stage, it’s considered relatively easier, because at least the project is in motion. However, as you enter the post-production and distribution phases, it becomes a challenging and prolonged process. But those outside the industry don’t understand this. So, when you see a film released in theaters, it has already undergone numerous trials and tribulations, surmounting countless obstacles just to be seen by the audience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/871244199
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tong_rklg/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009411635912
Image Credits
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