Woonjae Park
“ON YOUR RADAR” IS A WEEKLY GRAD FILM NEWS SEGMENT THAT FEATURES A STUDENT PICKED AT RANDOM.
WOONJAE IS CURRENTLY A 4TH YEAR STUDENT AT GRAD FILM. WE ASKED HIM A FEW QUESTIONS AND HERE’S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY:
Where are you from and what is it like there?
I'm from Korea. I enjoyed the dynamic change of four seasons though there wasn't enough diversity. Spring, summer, fall, winter... and boredom were fed to my imagination. I grew up pretty much in my head. I guess that explains why I have a big head.
What or who is inspiring you right now and why?
I like to read the first paragraph and last paragraph of novels. It's such a liberating experience. There are too many books to read and films to watch, and we're all tired of manipulation and repetition. Few are good enough to spend hours of your life with anyway. But I'm still reading last line of Ulysses. "...I asked him with my eyes to ask again yes and then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower and first I put my arms around him yes and drew him down to me so he could feel my breasts all perfume yes and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes."
What has been your most rewarding experience at NYU Tisch Grad Film so far?
Friendship and love. They're not really different, are they? It's hard to explain. I've been always inspired and supported by Alex Rockwell, Barbara Schock and Mick Casale. They're very special to me. Alex taught me to be fearless. Barbara infused me with intelligence as a filmmaker. Mick taught me how to write...really. Also I learned rehearsal techniques from Darren Aronofsky's class. Me and my friend Cenk always shared thoughts and vegetarian burgers after each class. And my friend Natasha Babenko always encouraged me to move forward. Always! There are many people whose qualities I admire. It's hard to mention them all. I was a very sensitive and lonely person before I came to the program. Now I'm addicted to people - but I'm still sensitive.
Visit Woonjae's website here