How did you get inspired to become a filmmaker?
I’ve always loved cartoon and stop motion since I was little. My mom used to encourage me to draw, hence I started to publish my comic book with a small printer when I was 8, and then I made my first cartoon one year later. It was a story of a balloon. For me, animation is like a illusion show- it’s magical. All your dream, fantasy and crazy thoughts, could be realised in this wonderland.
What is your favorite part about the short film form?
Sometimes making a short film is more difficult then making a long version because you need to tell a story within only few minutes. But it’s also the best part, since it’s not possible to complete the whole story. Why not leave some imagination to the audience? An unexpected impact within just a few minutes-that’s my favorite part about a short film.
What resources do you use as a filmmaker? Music, locations, props, editing, crew, etc.
This is a film I made when I was studying in Taiwan, Shih-Chien University, for my masters degree. Basically I made it all by myself, but luckily I got a lovely composer Ying-Chih and my boyfriend Mick who supported me to finish this film.
What is your next project?
I’m making a series of animation about viruses and fungus. It might sound weird and not so attractive, but the microbiology world is usually unseen to human eye, who can be sure that there’s no other fantastic universe inside?
Which filmmakers, artists or individuals have most influenced your work?
I enjoy works from Kurosawa Akira, Kon Satoshi, Wes Anderson and Jen Svankmajor. They create a crazy fantasy world with no boundaries.
What advice would you give new filmmakers?
My ideas always come to me in an unexpected place- on a stair, on the street. Just be relaxed, filmmaking is long hard work and it’ll never be done if you’re not calm! So don’t forget your passion and never stop learning from other great films.
Check out Annlin Chao’s film “Arctic Fox.”
Also check out her website, www.annlinchao.com and follow Annlin’s career at The Audience Awards.
The Audience Awards is film’s social network connecting audiences to films, filmmakers, film schools and film festivals. The Audience Awards hosts short film competitions where the audience chooses the best films.
