Today we’d like to introduce you to August Wang.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My passion for filmmaking and photography starts with my exceptionally crafty mom, Sue, who gave me a 35mm disposable Kodak camera when I was 10-years-old. From then on, there was rarely a moment I didn’t have a camera or video recorder on deck. Sue was the art department who supplied all the costumes for my photo shoots, and my younger siblings were my models. After directing and photographing my family for years, I was ready to widen my creative circle.
Working as a filmmaker, however, was never an option in my family. I was encouraged to choose something practical, and was an Economics major in college. Jump ahead several years, and I was working a corporate job and felt lifeless and the only antidote was a solo trip throughout Asia.
I quickly found myself in the heart of the Philippines with just a bag and my Canon 70D camera. I was eating longganisa when a middle-aged rickshaw driver introduced himself and asked where I was from. “California,” I said. He smiled and offered to show me a waterfall, but first he needed to pick up an umbrella. I accepted and climbed into the rickshaw. Soon, we came to a halt in front of a small, dilapidated building. I followed after him and stepped through the doorway into the darkness.
Inside, I met his wife and their three kids. The 6’x6’ bedroom was crowded, but wisely arranged. As I scanned the room, my desire to stare at a waterfall waned and, instead, I was overcome by a desire to help them however I could. Aside from offering money (I insisted on a generous tip in addition to the fare), I wanted to give something more meaningful. With my camera, I began taking pictures of them—the kids, the wife, the couple, the entire family. They stood there staring at me, unsure of what to do. I told the man that in addition to the fare for the ride, I would also send them those photos. Before I could finish my sentence, he was hugging me in understanding and appreciation. He said he only had two photos of his family and that my photos would be treasured indefinitely.
In that moment, I realized that a group snapshot that people back home may treat as casual and everyday meant something entirely different to this family. I understood the staggering impact media can have on other people, and knew the next step was for me to further my understanding of visual media. I quit my day job and began my journey as a professional filmmaker.
Please tell us about your art. What do you do / make / create? How? Why? What’s the message or inspiration, what do you hope people take away from it? What should we know about your artwork?
My passion for people, stories, and creative expression drives my artistic practice, and I work in a striking range of subjects and genres—whether it be street, portrait, landscape, or food photography, I’m all in. For example, I worked on a 4-year photo project using a mix of digital and traditional film to preserve the legacy and integrity of Chinatown in San Francisco. It’s so much more than shops selling gimmicky toys to tourists. To this day, Chinatown is a place for new Chinese immigrants to find jobs, housing, and a sense of belonging. (When they arrive, most don’t speak fluent English.) Since the first tech industry boom, many areas of Chinatown have evolved and—this may surprise some—it’s actually one of the last few neighborhoods in San Francisco that hasn’t been completely gentrified.
There are dozens of unheard stories out there that deserve the public’s attention. I also want to fill cultural voids and provide a platform for and voice to people who’ve been marginalized by traditional media. My hunger for capturing other people’s stories and my passion for translating experiences into memorable and actionable memories are the reasons why I love what I do.
My goal is to leverage my creative skills and interests in photography, video, and augmented reality to positively impact other people’s lives. I’m the founder and Creative Director of a boutique marketing and creative content agency, Petite Films. As the Creative Director, I see a project from inception to completion, and depending on the size of the project I’ll take on any of the following roles, sometimes all: producer, camera operator, director, and editor.
In addition to providing beautiful imagery, the videos I create support a range of subjects and topics—from products to crowdfunding, from live performances to testimonials, and everything in between. This year, I’m ready to reach beyond commercial work and expand into narrative and documentaries. Check out my Insta @petitefilms for sneak peeks and updates on my other projects.
Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
As much as art is for pleasure, it’s also a vehicle for powerful and direct social, political, and economic change—storytelling as a tool for peace and greater equity, and a means to end racism, bigotry, and all other forms of hate. Living in today’s volatile political climate, artists have a great sense of urgency to educate the world about what’s really going on, and provide unique and novel ways to evaluate supposed truths and discern fact from fiction.
Personally, I feel a responsibility to raise awareness, challenge ideas, and have fun while I’m doing it, working with talented artists to bring more stories to life. Recently, I started filming skits that get under the surface of issues occuring in tech, relationships, and national political issues. This type of work is completely new to me, but I’m enjoying it 100%. Check out my YouTube to see more of what I’m up to.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
I’ve found Instagram to be an incredible platform to meet and collaborate with fellow artists. As odd as it sounds, just sliding into their DMs and being genuine and authentic is often the best way to make a connection. You never know, a friendly meeting might even turn into a date…
I’ve also found tremendous success through attending events I find on Facebook and Eventbrite. You might be surprised by the amount of niche happenings that are going on locally where you can meet like-minded people.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Thank you! Check out my site at petitefilms.co for recent work. You can also peep my everyday at @petite.wang or drop me a line about future projects at [email protected]. Really, the best way to support my work is to share it with your friends, and if you like something or something resonates with you, let me know, let your community know. Creators support one another!
Contact Info:
- Website: petitefilms.co
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petite.wang/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/petitefilms/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/petitefilms
- Other: https://vimeo.com/petitefilms
Image Credit:
the r&b artist Miguel, Rapper, Tory Lanez
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