So Yun Um: The Filmmaker Widening the Lens of Digital Storytelling

So Yun Um is a Korean American Film Critic, Film Programmer and Filmmaker, born and based in Los Angeles. Through her website and Youtube, So’s Reel Thoughts, she highlights international, indie, and genre films. In her own work, she explores the intimate stories of marginalized people through her poetic visual language and poignant editing style. So has programmed and has been affiliated with various film festivals like the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, LA Film Fest, AFI FEST and more. Most recently, she has been creating K-pop digital content and working on her documentary feature film called LIQUOR STORE DREAMS, which focuses on second-generation Korean American children of Liquor Store owners in the LA area. We loved chatting with her about how her creativity flourishes, combatting burnout, and how she feels about storytelling online.

On Creativity

How did you decide to pursue film?
I took a film studies course in High School and I really loved it a lot and wanted to start telling my own stories. At that time, I didn’t really see too many Asian American stories on screen so I wasn’t even sure if it would be possible for me to even become a Director. Luckily, I’m thankful of the digital age we’re all living in because it gave a lot of us a platform to tell our individual, nuanced stories that most studios wouldn’t dare produce at that time. 



What is your workflow like?
I like to be very realistic when it comes to starting and finishing a project. Once I get inspiration to do something, I make a list of everything I need to do in order to get to make it happen. Whether it’s making listicles, creating deadlines, making a trello board, or visualizing it in pinterest, I like to reiterate all my tasks to constantly remind myself. 

Also because a lot of my work is collaborative, I love getting throwing ideas around and feedback from my trusted colleagues about my plans. A lot of tasks like creating a film is a huge project which can take years to do, I like to work in baby steps in order not to overwhelm myself and to always create deadlines. Rome wasn’t built in a day and I’m in it for the long haul so I like to give myself time instead of rushing into things.



How do you stay inspired creatively?
I burn out very easily. Balancing work to make money and creative personal projects takes a toll on me. In order to maintain my creativity, I like to try new things and unplug from the world. There’s so much distraction these days that it’s only weighing us all down. Most recently when I felt burnt out, I took a K-pop dance class despite knowing that I don’t have coordination skills. It was challenging in different ways which helped me get out of my own head. At times, it’s just good to take a step back and refocus on yourself and just live life. 



Where did you learn your technical film skills?
When it comes to editing or photoshop, I just had to dive in and test out the water. Videos on YouTube has been a tremendous help. There’s so much free information out there that it’s so easy to start learning the basics to any program. As cliche as it is, practice really does make perfect so keep at it. 

On Liquor Store Babies

What made you decide to create Liquor Store Babies?
I was part of Visual Communication’s Armed with a Camera Fellowship in which we had to make a 5 minutes short film. I made LIQUOR STORE BABIES which went on to premiere at various film festivals and after getting a widely positive reception, I decided to turn it into a feature length documentary called LIQUOR STORE DREAMS. The topic of Korean liquor store owners is so stereotypical and yet, I have never seen the story on screen before so I made it my duty to tell a very specific Korean American story. 



How long did it take to shoot Liquor Store Babies?
Shooting the short, LSB, honestly took maybe a week. I already knew what kind of story and shots I wanted so we were very efficient with our shoot dates. As for the feature-length documentary, LSD, we shot sporadically for 6 months. 



Was it difficult to capture your family on camera for this piece?
I think there are always challenges when working with family. Luckily, it wasn’t that bad for me. My dad’s a natural performer and collaborator who is very open to taking directions. Working with my mom on the other hand was a challenge for sure. It’s hard to get even the closest people to you to act naturally in front of the camera so you just have to ease them into it.



This piece resonated with me so much- did you ever have a fear while creating that it might not resonate with someone else?
I tried not to worry about that too much. I just wanted to tell a story that stayed true to myself and that’s all that mattered. I always have to think that if the story resonates with me, it must also resonant with other people to some capacity. 

What’s next for Liquor Store Dreams?

We’re currently working on post for LIQUOR STORE DREAMS for a 2021 premiere. Hopefully, you will be able to see it around in the film festival circuit and eventually on a streaming website! You could keep up with us on all our socials. 

On Digital Culture

In what ways do you feel digital media and online creation can allow for non white non male creators to thrive?
Unlike the Hollywood system, it does level the playing field so anyone could be a filmmaker, content creator, and artist. No matter who you are, there will always be someone who connects with you story so start creating and uploading it on any platform. 

What advice would you give yourself at age 17?
Stop thinking it’s too late to start, it’s never too late to start. And even if it is, it’s better late than never. The hardest step is the first one just so take the leap, it’ll be worth it. Stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and focus on yourself. 

Follow So’s work at:

https://www.soyunum.com/

https://www.youtube.com/user/ItsReelLove/featured

https://www.instagram.com/liquorstoredreams/