If you’re being honest with yourself, when you first notice someone it’s a purely visual decision. There’s something about their appearance and the surroundings that captures your attention; whether you connect with them as a friend, romantic interest, or something different, it all begins with your investment in these first moments. A film is the same. It appeals to your senses and entices you to allow the performances of the actors and other factors which tether you emotionally. Producer Jo-Ting Hsu is a master in the art of establishing the components that filmmakers use to capture the attention of audiences. She’s done it time and time again for talented directors across varied genres. These filmmakers recognize in Jo-Ting the same element which attracts her to collaborating with them; a zeal for storytelling wielded by exceptional talent. Originally from China, many American filmmakers are utilizing the skill of this remarkable producer due to her impressive list of emotionally varied unique productions. If there is a “voice” to producing, Jo-Ting Hsu certainly exhibits its impact. The films Você Means You and The Bullfighter are prime examples of her work and its breadth.
Você Means You is a tale of love and skateboarding in Southern California. The film is experiential, relying on sparse music and the sounds of skateboard wheels on concrete to convey the feelings of its main character, a young man who adores his romantic crush from afar. Whether stifled personally or culturally, this young skateboarder’s day will never be the same once he falls and is confronted with potential love. Director Mahyar Mandegar has worked with Jo-Ting as his producer multiple times. Each time, this collaboration has yielded unique and transfixing results. Você Means You found an enthusiastic audience at numerous festivals including the Guadalajara film festival, Mexico City Independent Film Festival, LA’s Rich & Successful Film Festival, and others. Shot on 16MM film, this production has a nostalgic feel reminiscent of the 90’s and skateboard culture’s popularity. Jo-Ting notes, “Probably the biggest challenge of this film was finding actors who could also skateboard well. Casting was essential. Of course, getting good shots required some extra attention as well. Because our actors were also doing tricks, we needed to get close enough to take advantage of this. We were fortunate to find a camera operator who also roller-skates very well, allowing us to get exciting footage. We really had to think creatively to get what Mahyar wanted to capture.”
Drastically different in emotional tone and visual style is Director Giselle Bonilla’s comedy film The Bullfighter, for which Jo-Ting also served as one of the producers. Ricardo Chzvez stars in the title role of this film which also stars Sara Silva (of Amazon’s Primetime Emmy Award–Winning Series The Boys), Art Bonilla (of Steven Spielberg’s Oscar Nominated Film The Fablemans), Karen Maruyama (of the iconic Primetime Emmy Award Winning–Series Better Call Saul), and Gladys Bautista (of Primetime Emmy Award–Winning Series Masters of Sex). An official selection of the New York Latino Film Festival in addition to numerous others, The Bullfighter’s exaggerated dramatic perspective propels its comedy. Sometimes the most crucial part of a producer’s work is overseeing the less glamorized elements that will play into the comedy of various scenes. Jo-Ting confirms this stating, “The bulk of my job was all physical production-related. There were lots of complicated elements in the story, like giving birth in a small swimming pool, gunshot, building a miniature bullfighter scene…etc. These all have to be prepared carefully and thoughtfully to allow the actors and crew a safe environment to create. My greatest reward is when this is provided to them.” She adds, “Even though I saw The Bullfighter several times before seeing it with an audience, the experience of watching it with others is a close second for a big reward to me. They always surprise me with the times they choose to laugh. It’s very much a physical and mental energy I feel coming off of them. It’s a great reminder that what I love to do can also bring so much joy to others.”
Writer : Basil Thomson