Directing Jobs for New Filmmakers with Gorby Shih

Show notes

Gorby Shih is a director and producer whose work includes "Killer Maid" for Tencent Pictures, which is being adapted into a TV series for Legendary Entertainment; and two drama series for app ReelShort. Gorby has his BA in Film & Television Production from USC (2014) and his MFA in Creative Producing from Columbia University (2024).
Today we’re getting into different ways to land attention on your work and directing jobs, how the market in China has changed over the years and what pieces you should have in your portfolio to be a sought-after director. Let’s jump into the interview.

Breakdown

1. 2:37Directing vertical content: business model, story structure differences, company players in the game
2. 11:40Is digital media just a stepping stone?
3. 20:20What should a director have on his or her reel to land these jobs?
4. 22:00Going back to film school + becoming a director vs. creative exec vs. producer
5. 25:46Making a short that led to signing with UTA and moving to Beijing to direct
6. 31:27Directing his first feature for Tencent in 14 days (“Killer Maid”).
7. 37:20Gorby’s origin story + how represents
8. 40:00What are people doing who have left the industry?
9. 43:00Script “Sinuous”
10. 48:12How accolades affect receptivity to your script or new project
11. 50:05The best way to “network”
12. 1:01:35TIME CAPSULE

Keep Up With Gorby

IG: @gorbacevmofoshih
REEL:
https://vimeo.com/951351677/c15853b64a?share=copy
WEBSITE: www.gorbyshih.com