My background in film begins with the experimental filmmaking that I studied under Kevin Jerome Everson. It gave me the license to freely break conventions, joyfully use constraints to be innovative, and passionately explore visual textures. Mix that with a knack for bringing out natural performances from actors, and you’ll get a sense of what my films are like.
As a first generation Filipino American growing up in Richmond, Virgina, my world has always been a mash up of cultures: white, brown, Southern, immigrant, pancit, McDonald’s, English, and Tagalog. I’m interested in the alienation of immigrant experiences, the disconnection and reconnection of people of disparate backgrounds.
Cosmonauts marooned at the edge of space,
Roommates unable to talk about their desires,
An former combat medic in a menial security job.
It’s also the reason why I’ve shot films in 5 languages - Russian, Spanish, French, English, and Pashto.
Most recently I completed Film Independent’s Episodic Directing Lab Intensive. I am a Film Independent Project:involve writer and director. I’ve had a 10 year career as an editor, working in experimental film with Akosua Adoma Owusu, documentaries with Laura Gabbert, animation with Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, and film trailers with Netflix’s Creative Studio.
Me and Scott Prendergast (my Project:Involve mentor)
