Meet John Liang

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful John Liang. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with John below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have John with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Definitely from my parents.

My father is a doctor and a surgeon and my mother was a symphony orchestra violinist; both these vocations, while very different in practice, require a strong and focused work ethic. Growing up, my parents instilled within me the importance of discipline and patience, which I carried over into my own work as a filmmaker.

Spreading the word about you and/or your brand. The next part of the interview is where we’d love to learn more about you, your story and what you are focused on professionally – whether it’s a business, nonprofit, artistic career etc. Please tell our readers about what you do, what you feel is most exciting or special about it, as well as anything else you’d like folks to know about your brand/art/etc. If relevant, please also tell our readers about anything new (events, product/service launches, expansion, etc)

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I was born and raised in Chicago, and always dreamed of making movies. Growing up, I was inspired by the works of Paul Thomas Anderson, Akira Kurosawa, and Kathryn Bigelow— never outgrowing my love of cinema. Following my passion, I went to film school in New York, and in 2015, I moved to Los Angeles. Four years later in 2019, I released my first feature film, RECOVERY and created my film production company, Lonely Devil Films.

At Lonely Devil Films, we explore modern American life through the lens of genre filmmaking. Our first film RECOVERY, examined military PTSD and opioid addiction through the prism of a psychological thriller. My mother struggled with addiction for many years, but she ultimately died sober, and the film is dedicated to her. It is a film I am extremely proud of.

Our upcoming film, LIFE AND LIMB, examines what American life has become in the midst of a truly unpredictable decade through the story of two fractured families. We intend to cast a Chinese or Chinese American actress to play the lead role of Kate Lee. I am of Chinese descent and would like to curate this role to spotlight a strong female Chinese lead. In filmmaking, I aspire to actively prioritize Asian and female representation via casting and character creation in my upcoming features.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Patience. People skills. Persistence. Without these principles guiding me, navigating the film industry, which is not only competitive, but cutthroat, would have been impossible. To anyone who is looking to bring their passion for filmmaking to life I suggest having a thick skin, not taking things personally and being a seasoned improviser. Having a plan is good, but it is important to be flexible and adaptable. Things on a film set and in the film industry change in a heartbeat and being able to adapt to these changes is invaluable.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?
We’re always on the lookout for inspired creatives to work with at Lonely Devil Films. I’m interested in bringing unique perspectives and experiences to my stories and craft. I’m also actively looking to provide opportunities to Asian filmmakers and creatives in my upcoming films.

The best way for people to reach me and inquire about opportunities at Lonely Devil Films is through our website or Instagram:

@Lonelydevilfilms
lonelydevilfilms.com

Contact Info:

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