After getting her start from the Hong Kong movie industry titans the Shaw Brothers, Lynn San Wu has taken the skills learned under their tutelage to create her own original projects since. Now, in honor of Women in Horror Month, I talk with her about her early days working with the studio, her own original projects and the upcoming film Hexengeddon.
Me: Hello and thank you for taking the time to do this. First off, how did you get into the genre?
Lynn San Wu: Horror? That’s easy, I did a lot of Horror movie extra work in Hong Kong. Some of that was horror.
Me: Were you always into genre films growing up? What films specifically got you into watching horror movies?
LSW: Yes, I was actually, A lot of Chinese Horror films like Song of Midnight and Ghost of the Mirror. I also loved the old Hammer Horror movies.
Me: When did you get the urge to go into the filmmaking industry?
LSW: I really didn’t have a choice. My Uncle did the lighting for a lot of the studios in Hong Kong. He would take us along and we would end up as extras. They would pay us in food and maybe a few dollars. eventually, I grew from child extra to bit actress and then stunt woman.
Me: When you entered the university for your studies, was there an emphasis on a specific genre of filmmaking or let you go for your own interests?
LSW: Funny you should ask. When I made my way to university The film courses I took were focused on western cinema. A lot of the teachers were wrongly embarrassed by what was happening in the East on film. It was a lot of 1940s and 30’s movies from the UK and the United States, a very little horror.
Me: Having worked with the Shaw Brothers studio, what tools and skills did you acquire working on those that transferred to future film-projects?
LSW: The big skill is speaking up for yourself. Back then things were crazy and very by the seat of your pants. People would work you to exhaustion unless you spoke up. I also learned how to see a movie based on a script. and how to get a feeling for talent. Not just skills but know if a person has a poison personality that could cause issues.
Me: You've also started your own Talent Agent, Novus DeaTalent Agency. How did that come about?
LSW: I came to the United States and tried to find a way to work lightly through my “Retirement” years and helped a friend cast a short and then it ballooned from there. I then started taking in indie writers and helping them find publishing, promotion and move their creations into other media.
Me: What is the goal of the company?
LSW: There is so much talent out there being overlooked and while not as active as an agent as I used to be I work with my current clients to get their creations seen.
Me: As the majority of your projects carry a heavy fantasy bent, is that a genre you enjoy working in?
LSW: I grew up on fantastic stories and that’s always appealed to me. Once I became an adult I started reading not only Chinese folklore and fantasy but myths and fantasy from other cultures.
Me: That brings us to your latest project, "Hexengeddon." What can you tell us about the project?
LSW: It’s an indie feature film, a 15 million dollar budget. It came along in 2017 and it’s had some setbacks but we’re really gaining momentum and a killer cast and crew.
It’s a look at the current situation of modern women and women’s movements through a fantastical lens. Witches in folklore (And the real world in some cases) are always the women who didn’t behave and who had more power than people like. What happens if Witches got who thought things were better to find out al the old hates and prejudices were still there. So they get fed up and fight back.
Plus you get witches on brooms vs. Jet-Fighters.
Me: Where did the inspiration for the film come from?
LSW: The writer was pitching to me everything he had and he brought up a discussion he had with his friends about the different supernatural apocalypse. Each friend picked a different apocalypse, werewolves, unicorns and the like he picked witches. He then for fun wrote a fantastic script. A script I loved.
Me: You have assembled a cast of pretty heavy genre regulars in the film? How did they get attached to the film?
LSW: The script, it is really that good that actors who would look over most indie films have been attracted to this one.
Me: What is the projected schedule to get the finished film out for people to see?
LSW: Filming this summer and out for Halloween next year
Me: What are you working on that you'd like to share with our readers?
LSW: So much, we just put a pilot based on a YA fantasy novel in development. That might sound boring but the world of this novel is so unique. Ting of Lord of the rings only in an alternate world 1800’s united states where Africa colonized most of the south, Europ the Est, China the West and the Native civilizations the central country. The Aztec Empire also never fell and Vikings rule what is now Canada.
Me: Lastly, being that this is Women in Horror Month, what special message do you have for any women out there looking to join the industry in any capacity as you are one yourself? Thank you again for your time!
LSW: Never give up, it's a cliche but it's true. Stick with your goal. Also, Know your value, don’t let anyone tell you you are worth less than anyone. You are special and you are powerful.
This interview ran as part of our month-long Women in Horror Month celebration. Click the banner below to see all the reviews and interviews we've conducted for the event:
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