Featured image of Aaron Chen.  Photo Credit: Joshua Duncan

We chat to Henry and Aaron about A LIFE IN QUESTIONS - WISDOM SCHOOL WITH AARON CHEN.

What inspired you to create this production?

Henry: Working with Aaron was the primary incentive for me, we've been collaborators for 5 years and taking the step up with him into the international sphere was something I was so excited to do. Working with him to make an esoteric and subtle satirical comment on the daftness of cult of celebrity, particularly when it comes to the 'famous people who aren't actual teachers' educational series Masterclass, was additionally an exciting prospect.

Aaron: We love comedian carrot top and his use of props in comedy and his funny red hair. 

What challenges did you face in creating this production?

Henry: I really wanted all of my heads of department to be the same age as Aaron and myself, that is 30 or under as I wanted this to be an opportunity to let young people take charge of a production on an international stage. Working to find the right crew was a long process but a rewarding one. Also this was a production not finalised and shot off a script but one that utilised on-the-fly documentary tactics, so creating the hybrid style as we went, particularly in the edit was something I had to pour myself into and be open to new discoveries from all angles. Aaron and our crew and editors were incredible at creating lightning and I always had to make sure I was nimble and tuned into the greater goal enough to bottle it. 

Aaron:  Our wives!

What is one piece of advice you would you give to aspiring filmmakers?

Henry: Make things on your own steam without trying to sell them anywhere to find your voice, take work when it becomes available of course but never stop making your own material on your own dime. Do the Ira Glass thing of closing the gap between what you like and what you're like... do it by asserting yourself to yourself by making things. This way when the big show comes along you'll know down to the ground how you'd approach the job and what otherwise-impossible-to-find-elsewhere qualities you'll bring to it. Don't make the mistake of being immediately institutionalised, every production should be bespoke.

Aaron: If you can make a Tik Tok, you can make a feature film. Peter Jackson's first movie was 12 seconds long and 3 inches wide. 

What are you hoping audiences will take away from watching this film?

Henry: Firstly I hope this production helps viewers see that Aaron Chen is a genius, a genuine national treasure. Though as a work of entertainment I want everyone to have full belly laughs, my career and personal obsession is creating original and dynamic screen comedy because I want people to be happy and surprised and also experience the thing I love the most in the world: laughing really fucking hard. They should know we broke our minds trying to come up with something totally dynamic and crazy and that even though the production is about talking we went on a meditation retreat with no talking so that together we could attune our minds to be perfectly in sync.

Aaron: Leave only footsteps, take only memories. Viewers should know that we allowed a member of the team to work knowing full well he had chicken-pox and we regret this so much.

Final Thoughts?

Henry: Yeah, the movie Donnie Darko is actually quite mind blowing and something dat sticks wid u for quite a while after watching it.

Aaron: Our wives!