A tiny bug tries to find out what it wants to become.

Interview with Writer/Director Grace Nayoon Rhee

Watch Insect Bite here:

WHY DID YOU MAKE YOUR FILM?

This film was made with an intention to portray violence, greediness and sadness that is and has been happening around the world.

IMAGINE I’M A MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE. WHY SHOULD I WATCH THIS FILM?

Hopefully by following the journey of the tiny bug, we all can decide what face we can choose to wear and want to take in as our own action.

HOW DO PERSONAL AND UNIVERSAL THEMES WORK IN YOUR FILM?

This is the first film of mine that was made with a more universal theme. A lot of my other previous films are based on my memories, dreams and emotions.

HOW HAVE THE SCRIPT AND FILM EVOVLED OVER THE COURSE OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION?

The initial idea that started the project was to make a film about the seven deadly sins. On the course of developing the storyline and drawing out the storyboards, the main focus of the film’s message slightly shifted. It became more about the helplessness and a somewhat passive aggressive by-stander choice the main character makes facing against the violence.

WHAT TYPE OF FEEDBACK HAVE YOU RECEIVED SO FAR?

I think a lot of people find it interesting how the film has a bit of an irony where it is a very dark subject, but illustrated like a child’s drawing with a bit of humor as well. The reason why I love to draw in a child-like style is that children have a way of portraying their thoughts in the most raw, direct and unfiltered way and that is how I want to translate my own altered memories, thoughts, philosophies and emotions through my films.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO ACHIEVE BY HAVING YOUR FILM MORE VISIBLE ON WEAREMOVINGSTORIES.COM?

I would like to have a bigger opportunity to showcase this film to a broader audience.

WHO DO YOU NEED TO COME ON BOARD (PRODUCERS, SALES AGENTS, BUYERS, DISTRIBUTORS, FILM FESTIVAL DIRECTORS, JOURNALISTS) TO AMPLIFY THIS FILM’S MESSAGE?

I currently have a distributor, however it would be amazing to have a sales agent, buyers, journalists and especially a producer who could possibly help me produce my next upcoming project.

WHAT TYPE OF IMAPCT AND/OR RECEPTION WOULD YOU LIKE THIS FILM TO HAVE?

Hopefully, it will give me an opportunity to make connections with people and also the opportunity to receive support and funds to continue to produce more films in the future.

WHAT’S THE KEY QUESTION THAT WILL HELP SPARK A DEBATE OR BEGIN A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS FILM?

What kind of choice would you make if you were the tiny bug in this film?

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING ELSE?

Hope you enjoy the film and thank you so much for watching it!

WHAT ARE THE KEY CREATIVES DEVELOPING OR WORKING ON NOW?

I have a short animated film called ‘The Playground’, which will be a stop-motion animated film that is currently in post-production. Also I am in a developing stage for collaborating with a Korean animator to make a film together this year as well.

Interview: January 2016

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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INSECT BITE

LOGLINE: A TINY BUG TRIES TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WANTS TO BECOME.

LENGTH: 2MINS 31SEC

DIRECTOR: GRACE NAYOON RHEE

WRITER: GRACE NAYOON RHEE

GRACE NAYOON RHEE IS A LA BASED KOREAN ANIMATOR/FILMMAKER WHOSE FILMS HAVE BEEN SCREENED IN MAJOR FILM FESTIVALS SUCH AS ANNECY, ZAGREB, HIROSHIMA, OBERHAUSEN, ETC. HER FILMS WERE AWARDED AND EXHIBITED INTERNATIONALLY AS WELL. SHE HAS A MASTER DEGREE IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMATION FROM CALARTS (2013).

GRACE IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON HER NEW ANIMATED FILM ALONGSIDE WITH OTHER PROJECTS IN LOS ANGELES.

LOOKING FOR PRODUCERS, SALES AGENTS, BUYERS, JOURNALISTS AND FUNDERS.