A: Hello Team Haku, thank you for accepting to have a chat with us. We’ve been following your content for the longest time and we think the quality is amazing! We’d like to get to know this amazing team much better today. Could you tell us a bit about yourself? When and where were you born and how was your start with videography?
J: I was born 1973 in Busan, South Korea. I studied History of Art in the University. During those years, I first came across photography through taking photos of artefact in museums. I travelled to many places during those years and I felt as if there must be a better way to record my experiences. It then triggered my interest towards videography. I stayed at various hotels and have seen various clips. I thought they could have been made in a much better way. If I was to make a clip for my client, I thought I could have done it in a client’s point of view. So here I am.
A: And, here you are working for a numerous of hotels and creating inspiring films for them! Well, what was your first paid filmmaking project?
J: My first video project was for a small hotel in Phuket, Thailand.
Make clips which are impressive but extravagant, modest but humble
A: How do you feel about videography? And, how would you describe your own videography style?
J: I do not have a strong background in videography. For me, it wasn’t something that I have been taught in school. However, I did not think that this was a disadvantage. I simply started later than most of other people. So, I thought I had to learn faster and study harder. I built my career constantly watching and learning from what others have done and how they have done it. In a way, I may have learnt it in a hard way but it just came with the experience. My works are rather straightforward, simple and easy to follow. I do appreciate great camera works and effects but for me, it is more about what my client needs than what I can do. If you can call this a style then it could be my style. My friend once told me to make clips which are impressive but extravagant, modest but humble. I liked his advice.
A: We always see the backstage or the amazing videos you create! But, we’d like to know what is going on before that or before you begin filming?
J: I spend a lot of time meeting and actually giving clients chances to inform what their needs are. Most of my clients are satisfied with the fact that they have something to show like everyone else. The largest part of my preparation is to bring purpose and result to their need as well as explaining in its easiest form through the project. Usually clients want to show everything in one long clip and I want to create something shorter but informative. Shorter but informative with context and a story to follow. So most of preparation time is spent for us to understand each other prior to shooting. For hotels, we also spend 2-3 days at the hotel to understand and finding their advantages and disadvantages through experiences.
Many of you in the same field would also agree that when you have a newly purchased effects, you’d use it more than necessary. I also find it in preparation of equipment as well. When I have a new edelkrone equipment, I have tendencies to use it more than other existing equipment. I am look forward to that. Anyhow, I have edelkrones in a separate bag and they are always with me wherever I go.
A: We always say minimal equipment can bring cinematic results. We’re sure our community would love to hear about yours! What’s the equipment you generally bring to a set? Do you ever rent your filmmaking equipment?
J: I usually take my camera, tripod, SliderONE PRO, FlexTILT Head, Motion BOX, profoto, gimbal and a drone. I have not once rented an equipment. This is exactly the reason why I like edelkrone. I have always been thankful to edelkrone for desirable products at an affordable price.
A: We assume you’re also minimal and straightforward while editing. For example, what software do you use for post-production?
J: I use Final Cut Pro.
A: Is there a little piece of advice you’d like to share with other filmmakers out there?
J: I often see very fancy camera and editing techniques but I think it is important to remember the need of your client. We must not forget their needs and should put ourselves in their shoes to think of their concerns. Your client may not be knowledgeable enough to see the techniques but they need to hear compliments from other videographers.
A: These days, there is a countless number of equipment or technologies and a plenty of brands to choose from. What do you think about the future of filmmaking with the technology is advancing so fast?
J: What I have a very much regret that I am not an oil rich billionaire. There are so many equipment available. Availability of the internet and smartphones have had great impact on photos and other media contents. I believe that clips in near future will play a crucial role over texts and still images. It will allow a large growth in individual creators. I think filmmaking will be very much generalized to the public through companies like edelkrone.
A: And, last but not least, what’s your biggest ambition for the future?
J: I am thankful going through the most exciting time of my life with edelkrone. For me, it is not about ambition. It is more about who I want to be. I want to be remembered by my clients as somebody who they can trust. Who could create something to give more opportunities to their business. I don’t exactly dream to be an artist. I just want to grow old but still young at heart excited over new equipment coming out.
