So that the producers have the maximum information about you, who are you?

I am May Liu, the director and lead cast of the movie "Lost In 24". Besides my involvement in the film industry, I am also an accomplished oil painter and have hosted the "May We Talk Show" on SuperstarTV888.

 

Throughout my career, I have achieved notable milestones, including founding the Miss Economic World Pageant in 2020 and serving as the President of the Superstar Art Foundation since 2019. Additionally, I have been recognized as a jury member of the Film Finance Award at Cannes in 2012 and held the position of Vice-chair at the 2018 US-China International Film Festival in Texas.

 

My dedication to the arts and humanitarian endeavors has earned me the esteemed honor of being appointed the Noble Chivalry Rank of Art & Humanity Consul by the Imperial Order of Culture and Peace.

 

In terms of my filmography, my work has been highly regarded. For instance, "Shadow Day" was selected as a "Top 7 must-see" film at the Berlin Film Festival in 2014, and I received the "Best Screenplay" award for the film "Blooming Sisters". As a film producer, I have contributed to the financing of notable movies such as "The Revenant" and "Escape Plan 2". Additionally, I have produced independent films like "Shadow Days" (one of the top 7 Chinese movies at the Berlin Film Festival 2014), "Fake Fiction" (released in China in 2014), and "Inside Out" (released in China in 2016). I have also worked as a screenwriter for "Aegean Love".

 

My artistic and philanthropic endeavors have further enhanced my reputation. In January 2022, my NFT oil painting titled "Roaring Tiger 2022" was showcased on the LED screen at Times Square in New York and was transformed into an art coin issued by the Superstar Art Foundation for non-profit purposes. Additionally, my painting book "2021 Artwork Collection" was published on Amazon in January 2022. I have also made philanthropic contributions, such as donating my oil painting "F1 Monaco" in Monaco in May 2022 to support Ukraine, and donating my oil painting "Portrait of HRH Prince Emmanuel of Savoy" in New York in December 2022 to support the Savoy Foundation's efforts in assisting children.

 

Overall, my diverse accomplishments in the film industry, artistry, and philanthropy have shaped my multifaceted career.

 

How many years have you been making movies?

I have been doing producer role since 2014, and involved 3 screenplay writting, but this is my first time as director. 

 

What was your first experience making movies? Did you study at a film school or did you learn on your own?

My journey into the world of filmmaking began through movie financing while I was working as an investment banker. I had the opportunity to invest in the project "Fake Fiction," which marked my initial involvement in the film industry. This experience ignited my passion for filmmaking, prompting me to fund several other movies and eventually collaborate on major productions like "The Revenant" and "Escape Plan 2." Working alongside seasoned film professionals in these projects was a truly enjoyable and enlightening experience, allowing me to acquire knowledge through hands-on involvement. Throughout my filmmaking endeavors, I have been fortunate to receive valuable advice from industry veterans like my former producer, Keith Collea, for which I am immensely grateful.

 

What budget did you have?

"Lost In 24" was a low-budget movie, filmed within just one week, with a budget of less than $100,000. To optimize our resources, we utilized footage from external sources and employed AI tools during the editing process, which helped to reduce filming costs. As the director, cast, and editor, I personally did not take a paycheck for my involvement in this film, as it was created for the purpose of my foundation's humanitarian efforts. However, we did allocate some funds towards marketing and promotion, including participation in the Cannes Film Festival.

 

Is it a self-financed project?

Yes. 

 

Any anecdote that you can tell us about the filming?

Filming presented several challenges, such as working with a young actress and handling sensitive scenes like violence and rape. However, I took great care to ensure her comfort while still delivering the story effectively. I was impressed with her performance. Additionally, the intense fight scene between the police and the kidnapper turned out to be a standout moment, adding excitement to the film. Despite facing time constraints due to preparing for the Cannes Film Festival, we encountered a setback when our initial investor withdrew support. Undeterred, we decided to proceed with self-funding and even adjusted our filming location from Colorado to Texas to reduce costs. Additionally, we faced a hurdle when an actor dropped out during production.

 

If you had unlimited budget. Which actor and actress would you like to work with?

If I had unlimited budget, I would like to invite Sharon Stone or Jennifer Lopez to be the mother, and Kristen Stewart or Zendaya to be the daughter, Vin Diseal to be the kidnapper,  Keanu Reeves to be the doctor, Jason Statham or Will Smith to be the police officer.  That will be an interesting combination, I think. 

 

Your favorite movie?

War Horse, Avatar, Titanic, Kill Bill

 

Tell us 3 filmmakers that you like.

Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, Quentin Tarantino, 

 

What is the scene that has impacted you the most?

The scenes that struck me the most in the movies are the iconic moment in Titanic where Jack and Rose stand on the ship's front, and the poignant scene in War Horse where the boy, now a soldier, reunites with his horse but is unable to see anymore. These scenes serve as a reminder to cherish what you have and not wait until it's lost.

 

If you could do a remake of a movie, what would it be?

I would remake this movie “Lost In 24” if I will be given more budget and more time, I can do a better job with this one.  I like the story. 

 

Did you have light designs or did you shoot with the same light as the location? Can you explain the process of working with a cinematographer?

We had two lights for the indoor shooting, with additional lights in the room, we did not use lights when we do outdoor shooting. 

 

Did you have any problems when shooting?

Yes, we have, as I mentioned earlier, we were given limited time, budget, and problem with some actor.

 

And in terms of sound? Neighbors, flushing, cars?

We encountered minimal issues during the production, although I did enhance the sound during the editing process and utilized AI tools to improve the voice.

 

How was the producer-director relationship?

It was good. 

 

And working with actors? Tell us about this process, how do you work with the actors?

The experience was truly intriguing to me as each person involved possessed only fragments of the overall story. This led to diverse perspectives, valuable insights, and added brilliance to the movie, particularly in the form of exhilarating action scenes. Overall, it served as a valuable learning experience for me.

 

Do you have any other project in progress?

Yes, I have other project in preparation we are in the fund raising process, some are independent some are bigger budget movies with casts  attached.