Original-Cin Q&A: Fresh off Fresh Off The Boat, Randall Park on his Directorial Debut, Shortcomings

By Bonnie Laufer

Comedian Randall Park’s work in front of the camera speaks for itself. From his starring role on the hit sitcom Fresh off The Boat, working alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in Young Rock and his film work with pal Ali Wong in, Always Be My Maybe, he is one of Hollywood’s best known young faces.

Now he’s ventured behind the camera with his directorial debut Shortcomings, an edgy dramedy about a young wannabe filmmaker with plenty of issues, including his Japanese-American identity.  The film is based on the 2007 graphic novel by Adrian Tomine, who also wrote the script.

Our Bonnie Laufer spoke with Randall Park about getting behind the camera and why this particular story spoke to him.

CLICK HERE to read Liam Lacey’s review of Shortcomings.

Justin H. Min and Sherry Cola in Randall Park’s Shortcomings.

Shortcomings opens  August 4 across North America.

ORIGINAL-CIN: I had a lot  to unpack with this film because, I’ve got to tell you, these characters are not very likable. When you first read this graphic novel about 16 years ago, what initially sparked your interest?

RANDALL PARK:  The thing that sparked my interest was how real it felt. For me especially when I first read the graphic novel, I was around the same age as these characters. It just felt like such an accurate portrayal of the lives of me and my friends at that time, for better and for worse, you know?

I saw so much of myself in each of the characters, and I saw so much of my friends in these characters. Everything from the locations, where it took place and the conversations that the characters were having.  It all felt so real and was something that I hadn't seen in TV or film. Seeing it in the graphic novel was definitely a very special experience for me.

O-C: I think the characters are very real and relatable no matter who you are. The lead character Ben, played really well by Justin H. Min (The Umbrella Academy) is very opinionated and for the most part a jerk. Was he the character you most related to?

Shortcomings director Randall Park

PARK: (Laughs) WelI, I would say not that much, but definitely a little bit, and definitely when I was younger, a little more, but not that much.

I definitely have friends who are almost exactly like him.  So I completely understood the character and  my hope with audience's who see the film  is that they know some people like him because he's so honest. My hope is that if you don't like him at the very least you understand him.

O-C: Aside from directing the series finale of your hit series, Fresh off the Boat, you hadn’t really directed before.  So when you presented this film at this year’s Sundance Film Festival were you scared out of your mind?

PARK: Yeah, pretty much!  I mean, it was a long time coming and it was a story that, again, I felt so passionate about and we put so much work into it. Not  just me, but everybody involved was very dedicated to this project.

So to unveil it for the first time was an out of body experience. I was filled with so much anxiety at that screening at Sundance, I almost didn't want to be there. But I sat through it and we got a great response and a standing ovation at the end. It was very special.

O-C: The casting in the film is spot on. From Justin to Sherry Cola, and Ally Maki, their chemistry is natural. There have been so many stand out performances by Asian-American actors over the last few years getting well-deserved recognition. This must be something that must make you very happy because I’ve got to say Fresh off The Boat needs to be included.

PARK: I feel very excited with all of these projects. Beef, Ali Wong’s brilliant series being another. I feel like we’re entering a period where the stories are becoming a lot more varied and even a little more challenging in a good way. I think Shortcomings fits that category where  these people aren't perfect but they're there. They are dealing with real life stuff and so it is really exciting where we're at and where we're headed.

O-C: We know you so well for what you’ve done in front of the camera, but getting the chance to work with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on a sitcom had to have been a career highlight.

PARK: Yeah, he's great. I love him. He's really such a sweet and generous guy. It's so fun to just sit with him for a few weeks and knock out these fun moments and just play. It truly was a career high.

O-C: But for you now, its directing in the forefront.  Is this something we will be seeing more of from you or do you still want to mix it up?

PARK: I think I want to do both. Once the strike is over, I’ll start up again and figure out what I'm going to direct next. I've been directing for a while now in different contexts. But directing a feature film is a whole other beast and I really  got along with that beast.

O-C: How different was it directing a series finale of a very successful sitcom and then turning to film?  What did you learn directing the show that you took with you?

PARK: Directing the series  finale of Fresh Off the Boat was my first time directing a TV show. We had done so many seasons I felt very comfortable with the crew and cast. There was so much support  and I took that with me into directing Shortcomings.

Fostering an inclusive, supportive and  nurturing environment was very important to me. I wanted to create  a set  where we all felt ownership of this.  On this project, not just behind the camera but in front of the camera, everybody felt very committed, both to telling the story but also to each other and making sure that everyone was kind and professional. 

A good trusting vibe is super important and I learned that working on the show.

O-C Was it difficult getting Adrian Tomine the creator of the Shortcomings graphic novel on board when you first approached him to turn it into a film?

PARK: It was something that I had to pitch to him.  A group of producers were meeting with numerous directors, and then I decided to throw my hat in the ring, especially knowing that I didn't have a feature film under my belt.

I was pretty nervous.  I had to really show him  how passionate I was about this story.  I wouldn't say it was easy, but I put a lot of work into that pitch and it felt like the right thing to do.

I was so enamored with his work and this story in particular and felt so connected to it I felt that I had a shot.  So once I was able to show how much the story meant to me, he was like, “You're the one. Let’s do this.” 

I still trip out over it, because I first read that book back in 2007 so it was a dream coming true.

O-C What was his reaction to the film? 

PARK: He totally loves the film. Getting his support was really important  because, again, I'm just such a fan.  I wanted to do right by him and the book, but also I wanted to make a movie that reflected my sensibilities as well and the sensibilities of everyone who was involved.

It was a very collaborative experience and because of that, I think we came up with a pretty nice movie.