The following interview was conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Randall Park, known by most as Agent Jimmy Woo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has stepped into the director’s chair with Shortcomings, an adaptation of Adrian Tomine’s 2007 graphic novel.
The film follows Ben (Justin H. Min), a young and apathetic Asian-American cinephile living in California who begins to grow apart from his long-term girlfriend, Miko (Ally Maki). With the help of his best friend, Alice (Sherry Cola), he attempts to find his away amidst a crippling quarter-life crisis. Directing a screenplay written by Tomine himself, Park’s debut was met with much acclaim after its premieres at both Sundance and Tribeca and is now arriving in theaters amidst a strong wave of late-Summer indies.
Hot off of the festival’s New York premiere, GVN Senior Critic Larry Fried sat down with Park to discuss his influences on Shortcomings, including Noah Baumbach, and what his experiences as an actor have taught him about being a director. You can watch the full interview above or read a transcript below.
Shortcomings is now playing in theaters nationwide, courtesy of Sony Pictures Classic.
Hi, Randall. It’s so cool to be talking with you, man. How are you?
Randall Park: Great to be talking to you. I’m doing good. How are you?
I’m doing well. You know, I was at your Tribeca premiere and it was such a packed house and everybody really loved it. As soon as I entered that room, you could tell that that was an audience that had been waiting for a film like this for a long time.
Park: Oh, wow.
I would just love to hear what that experience was like for you, getting to see that crowd at New York, [which is] where you shot the film?
Park: It was really special. Yeah, I agree. Just hearing the chatter, you know, before and after the movie and, and, and, and feeling the energy. It was really… it was really, really special. Especially to do it in the city where we shot the majority of the movie, you know, and to have some of our crew back and watch the movie for the first time and to have everyone there… we were literally in these streets shooting the movie. So, so it was really cool to, to be back.
So I know that you only recently after your experience with Blockbuster have really started expanding what films you’re watching and like taking in so many suggestions, but going into a directorial debut, were there any directors or any films that were sort of in your mind when you were thinking about what this film visually was going to look like?
Park: Yeah, there were a lot. I’d say in particular Noah Baumbach was a big inspiration, but I already was obsessed with his work before this movie. I just always loved his movies and I think Francis Ha in particular was one that I felt like there were a lot of parallels in terms of character and story arc. I mean, we literally have kind of a bit of an homage to Francis Ha when Ben’s running through the streets, you know? I think there’s this scene where he’s sitting with his DVDs and, I don’t know if most people can catch it, but there’s a Francis Ha DVD on the couch next to him. That was definitely one where I found a lot of inspiration.
For the film fans out there, there’s a lot of really fun Easter eggs. I peeped that House poster in their apartment.
Park: [laughs] Yeah.
Super, super fun. All the funny Criterion jokes are just like…
Park: That’s right.
I truly felt them in my soul. Randall, you’ve worked on sets big and small. You know, you have a lot of experience as an actor, and I’m curious, going into the role of a director, was there anything that you’ve learned on the sets of these movies that you were really adamant that, as a director, you really wanted to translate that onto your own set.
Park: Yeah, definitely. One for sure was just confidence. [laughs] I mean, whether I had it or not to convey confidence from that position is very important, to definitely have a strong vision and to know what you want, but then also be open to collaboration and open to expanding on what you want through the ideas of others. And then clarity. I knew, how important [clarity was] just being an actor, being directed with clarity and simplicity. And then also kindness was a huge part. It just makes the process enjoyable and fun, to make sure that all of our team, you know, not only were great at what they do, but hiring people who are also incredibly kind and gracious and compassionate. That was really important to me and a priority. I think because of that, it made for a very harmonious set. Independent film can be challenging. A lot of unexpected things come up. In times of stress, for this great crew and cast to remember to always make sure to keep it professional and kind. It really made for a great experience.
Well, all of that translates on screen.
Park: Aw, Larry. Thank you, man.
I love this film. I really cannot wait for people to see this film.
Park: Oh my god.
And congratulations. It’s so cool to see you get to translate your abilities to being a director and I can’t wait for people to see it.
Park: Larry, I really appreciate it, man. Thank you so much.
Larry Fried is a filmmaker, writer, and podcaster based in New Jersey. He is the host and creator of the podcast “My Favorite Movie is…,” a podcast dedicated to helping filmmakers make somebody’s next favorite movie. He is also the Visual Content Manager for Special Olympics New Jersey, an organization dedicated to competition and training opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities across the Garden State.