Derek Ting, writer, director, producer and star of Agent Revelation (now on digital from Quiver Distribution), fills us in on his career.
Now, which came first – the acting or the directing, sir?
I did school plays as a kid starting in 5th grade where I played Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet”. I also made little short videos with my friends on a VHS camcorder. I never thought about acting or directing as a career, I was just having fun. When 9/11 happened, I realized life was short, so I took practical steps to becoming an actor.
Was that always the career goal?
I found being an actor a very passive challenging job. You wait for auditions and roles and then you wait by the phone hoping you got the part. As an East Asian actor, I quickly discovered that getting any decent roles was a lottery ticket, so I started to learn how to edit, make short films, and eventually hired as a producer at CNN in Hong Kong after moving there for just a few months. I was asked to do commercials and movies after a year living in Hong Kong, That’s when I realized becoming Writer Director Actor was the best way to take my career into my own hands.
Have a lot of support in your decision to pursue the craft?
I’m from a middle class background, and my parents quietly encourage me to pursue my dreams. Sometimes my Dad will say, “when are you going to get a real job?” And sometimes he’ll say, “keep your hair long for your next movie.”
The fact that I don’t have to support my parents is a privilege and allows me to pursue my dream.
My wife has been very supportive too. I told her when we first met that I wanted to be an actor, and she didn’t run for the door. Instead she produces for me. How cool is that?
And when did you feel ‘yes! This is working!’?
I think having done 4 features now, 2 with action, sci-fi, shot in different cities around the world: Shanghai, Hong Kong, LA, New York, worked with great actors like Linus Roache(Batman Begins), Michael Dorn (Star Trek: First Contact), and a great stunt team led by Joe Fidler (Netflix’s Punisher) and great Visual effects supervisor, Chad Finnerty (Tron: Legacy), Ben Wilkins (Oscar: Whiplash), Jed M. Dodge (Emmy nominated for Game of Thrones), I think I can finally humbly tell you I feel confident I can handle any situation. I mean I shot for a month in the desert which was freezing cold, sweltering hot, windy and a long drive from civilization each shooting day. Throw me in the deep water, I’ll swim to shore.
Did you study filmmaking?
Speaking of being in the deep end, I have to say when I was a producer at CNN in Hong Kong, I had only made short films with my friends before that. They liked my work, and I was enthusiastic about the job: I’d get in early and leave late. Before I knew it, I started their in-house creative services for marketing and built the editing suites (which is why I hate Tape Decks).
The only formal university course I took was editing at NYU way back. I’ve taken a lot of acting classes too: Cornell, at NYU, Terry Schreiber Studios before working with Jeanne Hartman in LA/HK and Glen Chin for Improv.
Was the idea behind the AGENT films to write yourself your own movie vehicle, something you could potentially star in across several films?
I had made 2 solid films, but I felt you build up a nice base of fans, and when the movies are over, that’s it. So I wanted to start a franchise like George Lucas did. I started small with a pilot feature and a tiny budget, and that led to a sequel from it’s small but decent success (The pilot was licensed by Hulu).
I look at each film I make based on whether I can challenge myself in different aspects. I’m the lead actor in both, but as you’ll see, it’s an ensemble cast in both.
And how does AGENT REVELATION differ from its predecessor?
It’s bigger in budget and scope in every way: 500 Visual Effects, 12 action sequences for Agent Revelation. However, we didn’t have the vast desert to work with, instead it’s a lot of interiors so you really have to light it to make it look good and cinematic. I had a great gaffer Zach Trout which you’ll see, and my cinematographer was Scott Chaffee whom I met on Agent 1 in Arizona. I found those 2 guys who are like superhero crew members. They can wear many hats and are very hard working.
Would you say it’s a better film?
That’s like asking whether you love your son or your daughter more. Both films compliment each other and are children of mine. As I mentioned the scope and budget are different, but the shooting in the desert on Agent 1 is something I don’t think I can return to for some time(because of the harsh conditions). I look at each film more in terms of what I accomplished. Both were daunting. Both faced times when the movie might not have even happened.
Looks like you have a lot of accomplished behind-the-scenes players on the film – beginning with the effects crew. How did you entice such big names into doing a relatively low-budget film?
A 1.5 Million dollar budget is considered low compared to blockbusters. But if you are extremely efficient, you can do a lot. You just have to prioritize that money goes to good people, and not expensive donuts (though our caterer (La Panzano) in LA was fantastic .
I met Julian Sarmiento(Pacific Rim) while working on a project in Beijing with some big Hollywood stars. Julian and I became friends. When I was in LA, I showed him some of the footage and helped introduce me to Chad and Jaimie who run Digital Frontier FX out of Marina Del Rey, California.
I’ve worked with Jed M. Dodge (Emmy nominated for Game of Thrones) for 3 movies, and 2 movies with Ben Wilkins(Oscar for Whiplash) now for sound.
I think veterans like all of those who have worked in the business are sometimes easier to work with because they’re willing and able to take risks on people if they see long term potential. I remember meeting Joe Ross at Action Factory in talking about the first Agent film, and he saw I had done 2 movies and liked that I get things done and then in term, they and the entire stunt team help me make both movies.
The same might be said for the actors- a couple of whom are very, very well known. How did Michael and Kayla get involved?
I have an awesome casting director Mark Tillman-Briggle. We put out a formal breakdown in LA and all of the agents submitted around 5000 actors. We had about 100 actors named star actors for the role of Alastair submitted. While just starting to do casting, my Dad had a heart attack so I had to fly to see him. Fortunately, he’s fine, but there was a lot of just tense waiting. I chatted with my older brother who was flipping through to distract ourselves. He said, “You know who you want? You want Michael Dorn.” You know I was looking for a Steve Jobs, Elon Musk type, and we’ve seen this wise sage character in movies before, and when I saw Michael Dorn, I felt he could not only pull it off, he’d bring a different perspective and presence.
Kayla Ewell was the first person I looked at for the character of Bell, and I watched her audition online. I was like she’s very pretty and acts very naturally. The role of Billy that was written for a guy, and I saw many men who were great and could play the role easily. But, again, I felt we had seen this character before. Kayla had the range to play quirky and goofy and did it brilliantly. I think because of her looks, it’s hard to see her that way, but I totally saw it in her personality.
That’s also the power of being a writer director, in that I can tailor roles for actors. Adaptability has been the number one reason I finish films and hit milestones.
Did the pandemic mess up any more ambitious release plans for the movie you might have had?
The movie is shot in 4K and mastered in 5.1, so it looks and sounds great in theatres. Quiver Distribution is releasing Viggo Mortensen’s movie a month after mine, and then a Gary Oldman movie. When I signed with Quiver Distribution, there was a good possibility of theatrical, which is required of Premium Video on Demand Status(which Agent Revelation has), but I don’t think in January or for a while things will get better and safer. I don’t want people to risk their lives to watch it. Maybe if people really love the movie, and things get better later next year, maybe we’d do a few screenings or who knows. Maybe if people really love it and things are better, they’ll run it then wide.
Careerwise, where do you see yourself in ten years?
I’m happy to tell you I’m writing Agent 3 because after we screened Agent Revelation for investors, they greenlit part 3(though of course the success of part 2 will help make 3 even better). I will pour my heart into that movie, and that’s all I’m really focused on. I want people to know when they watch Agent Revelation, every ounce of energy I had went into the film. I’m not really thinking too hard about my future. I’ll let it come to me.