WeXL Weekly

This episode is Part 1 of the two-part series of our podcast interview with the cast and crew of the narrative feature film JUNHO, an official selection of CAAMfest 2021. This episode was recorded in person right after the production wrapped in San Francisco in December 2019. Travel back in time with our podcast guests with writer/director David Boo, actor Wojun Jo, and producer Rebecca Teresia as they speak about their experience making the film. Then listen to Part 2 and hear how the world changed for these filmmakers. 

JUNHO is about a young man running from his previous life as a member of the Changbi theater troupe. After sexual assault revelations surface, the troupe is not only dismantled but blacklisted from the community. Although he is just a bystander, the titular character Junho is overwhelmed by his complicity through silence, especially because of his close friendship with one of the victims. In an attempt at a fresh start, Junho moves to San Francisco, but he soon realizes that distance is no cure for the pain and stifling guilt that he feels inside.

David Boo is a Korean American Writer/Director, born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised between the United States and South Korea. With an engineering background, David moved to Korea to study Film at Dongguk University. During his time there, David wrote, directed, and edited five short films and participated in multiple independent productions. Along with other filmmakers in the Bay Area, David formed a group called the Bay Area Film Collective. Its mission is to develop and nurture a variety of independent projects in the Bay Area. With the help of the collective and his Korean colleagues, David began developing his first feature, JUNHO. David's primary career goal is to direct a feature film with Asian American emphasis for a major production company.

Rebecca Teresia is a Finnish-born Actress/Producer with considerable experience in Television and Film. Rebecca is best known for her work in drama, horror, and action films. In addition to an extensive background in international business (MBA), she continues to tell remarkable stories while establishing herself as a leader and mentor to other aspiring filmmakers. While living in Hawaii, Rebecca developed an earnest curiosity and appreciation for Korean culture. Her interest led to an opportunity to produce her first Korean-origin film, which has since furthered her knowledge of the Korean film scene.

Wonjun Jo was a member of Mokhwa, a theater troupe exposed by the #MeToo movement. As a result of the scandal, everyone associated with the troupe (regardless of involvement) was blacklisted by the industry and society as a whole, forcing everyone to make radical career changes. Won Jun Jo being one of them. Like so many other bystanders who looked away from institutional abuse, Won Jun was deeply troubled by his inaction. Wonjun wanted to take on the role of Junho to illustrate the lives of the neglected and bring their stories to the forefront in a closed society to prevent future tragedy.

WeXL founder and CEO Arabella DeLucco hosts WeXL Weekly, a podcast that encompasses WeXL's mission to empower and unite through passion, purpose, and story. Listen in to learn the inner workings and journeys of creators and creative individuals from all over the world—experience how stories unite us. Together, We eXceL. To support our work, please go to WeXL.org.

Hallie Blakeslee is a writer from Southern Idaho. Having struggled with low vision and Autism Spectrum Disorder her entire life, Hallie's dream is to write TV shows that reflect her own unique experiences. Check out this episode to learn more about WeXL's commitment to neurodiversity as we launch our 2021 Excellence In Residence Fellowship program. Hallie is one of our candidates and a former WeXL Pathways intern. 

WeXL founder and CEO Arabella DeLucco hosts WeXL Weekly, a podcast that encompasses WeXL's mission to empower and unite through passion, purpose, and story. Listen in to learn the inner workings and journeys of creators and creative individuals from all over the world—experience how stories unite us. Together, We eXceL. To support our work, please go to WeXL.org.

Our guests, Reena Dutt and Michalyn "Mikie" Steiner-Killian talk about their experience working together as Asian American artists and the new short narrative film they're producing, FOUND. The movie is based on Mikie's experience as an adoptee from Korea. Find out what it was like growing up Asian American and why they feel compelled to tell their stories. WeXL is proud to announce our support of FOUND as an Executive Producer. 

Reena Dutt (Writer/Director) is a city girl with a country soul who believes in creating a conscience, on and off stage. Directing Credits: Film/TV: “Good Trouble” (Disney|FreeForm, Directing Shadow), “Too Many Bodies” (Music and Dance film), "Snapshot!", "3 Puffs of Gold". Awards/Honors: 2019 South Asian Film Festival of America Audience Award (Full list of 11+ awards for “Too Many Bodies” available on request), NewFilmmakers On Location Finalist. In theatre, she has directed and assistant directed in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco with most notable works at The Geffen Playhouse, Sacred Fools, The Vagrancy, Playground LA and SF, and East West Players. As a producer, her films have been seen at Sundance, Los Angeles Film Festival, Outfest, Frameline, Inside Out, Whistler, Cucalorous, and NBCUniversal. She has produced for John Legend, Lulu Wang, Justin Lin’s Youtube Network, and Evite.com. Fellowships and Awards: 2020 Drama League NY Directing Fellowship Semifinalist, 2016 SFFilm KRF Fellowship Recipient, 2014 Project Involve at Film Independent, 2012 Finalist NewFilmmakers: On Location Competition. Unions/Affiliations: Lincoln Center Directors Lab, Directors Lab West (Associate Producer), SFFilm, Film Independent’s Project Involve, IFP, Cinefemme.

Michalyn "Mikie" Steiner-Killian (actor/producer for FOUND) is a choreographer, performer, and educator in ballet, jazz, and musical theatre. Recent choreography credits include Mamma Mia, The Music Man, Seussical the Musical at Mainstage Theatre and The Pirates of Penzance, Some Enchanted Evening, and Return to the Forbidden Planet at Stageworks Northwest Theatre. Her last acting roles were Helen in The Trojan Women (2020) and Corie Bratter in Barefoot in the Park (2019) at Stageworks Northwest Theatre. Michalyn studied theatre arts at Portland State University and has been choreographing shows since 1999. Michalyn is a Korean adoptee who finds joy in connecting her inherent passion for the arts to discover that her biological mom was also a performer. After traveling extensively, Michalyn now resides in the small town she grew up in, just north of Portland. She feels it is vital to contribute to the arts in her hometown as it directly affects the culture and community where she raises her two children.

WeXL founder and CEO Arabella DeLucco hosts WeXL Weekly, a podcast that encompasses WeXL's mission to empower and unite through passion, purpose, and story. Listen in to learn the inner workings and journeys of creators and creative individuals from all over the world—experience how stories unite us. Together, We eXceL. To support our work, please go to WeXL.org.

Writer/director/producer GUILLERMO GÓMEZ grew up in Watsonville, CA, and has been living in Sunnyvale since 2002. A part-time video editor and avid TV watcher, he has developed a keen eye for directing and an immaculate sense of timing. Since graduating from DeAnza College in 2005 with an AA degree in film/TV, he has worked on documentaries, event videos, music videos, and a long list of short films. Growing up with Asbergers, he found that he was different than others and hoped to express that unique perspective through his storytelling. His directorial credits include THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT, POSTER BOY, and THE CROW AND THE SQUIRREL. He is currently working on the animated short A FISHY'S TALE.

Check out this episode to learn more about WeXL's commitment to neurodiversity as we launch our 2021 Excellence In Residence Fellowship program. Guillermo is one of our candidates.

WeXL founder and CEO Arabella DeLucco hosts WeXL Weekly, a podcast that encompasses WeXL's mission to empower and unite through passion, purpose, and story. Listen in to learn the inner workings and journeys of creators and creative individuals from all over the world—experience how stories unite us. Together, We eXceL. To support our work, please go to WeXL.org.