Jun Li Knows All That Glitters
While many people like to minimize the contributions of films, they are in fact indisputable. For many of us, the memories of childhood and watching our favorite movies with family are moments that will always comfort us. Film and television have become the family hearth. Beyond their entertainment value, these stories offer the possibility to empathize and even motivate us. By witnessing the struggles of others, we can make our own world and THE world a better place. All That Glitters is a film that displays the story of a woman struggling to overcome personal obstacles; in so doing, it prompts us to demand more of ourselves to make a better life. As the camera operator/Steadicam for this acclaimed film, Jun Li was the most direct source of presenting the action and images for audiences to understand the story. A Steadicam operator doesn’t often receive the attention of the public; luckily, that’s not a motivating factor for Jun who got into film to pursue his creative bent. He remarks, “Most people not involved in the film production may not be aware of the position called camera operator. However, this is one of the most important roles in the motion picture and television industry. My job is not simply to do what I’ve been told by director and cinematographer. Based on the script and story, they will describe a direction or a concept of their vision then I will use my ability to make it happen on the camera. It’s so much more than composition and framing, it’s catching the moment. It’s based in intuition that comes from my years of aesthetic cultivation and set experience.”
All That Glitters is an underdog story at its best. The central character [Helen] was a happy confident little girl until being forced at ten-years old to wear a back brace 24–7 as a result of scoliosis. Present day finds Helen in her twenties as a talented copywriter. Her teen years molded Helen’s personality into a woman of timid insecurity, one which allows her handsome coworker [Jerry] to take the glory for her fine work. Judy is the feisty wheelchair bound boss determined to reset Helen’s professional and personal course to lay claim to her success and talent. Judy has one promotion to hand out and wants to give it to Helen. But, unless Helen can dazzle the agency owner with her true talents, its will be impossible to get Helen the promotion. Helen has to figure out how to take the spotlight off of Jerry, put it on herself, and survive the glare of it all.
Director Lincheng Yang (as Timon Yang) has an inclination towards the utilization of Steadicams for her films in order to establish the perspective she wants to communicate. Cinematographer Siwen Zuo suggested Yang obtain Steadicam operator Jun Li based on his prior experience working with Li. Beyond his skill, Jun is a member of both the Society of Camera Operators (SOC) and Steadicam Operator Association (SOA), he is known in the industry for his in depth communication with everyone involved in the production. It’s his own personal methodology used to obtain insight into the story. Jun explains, “I’ll go over references of specific camera movements with the cinematographer and director to understand what they’re looking for and then come up with my view of this aesthetic. I’ll talk with the actors about their position and pace, letting my 2nd AC make multiple reference mark for them. You want the movements of the camera to be organic and smooth; it requires a lot of communication to make this ‘dance’ appear effortless.”
Starring Madison Greenlund as Helen Noah and Sierra Anne Murphy (of Bumblebee, the Transformer film distributed by Paramount Pictures) as a young Helen, All That Glitters is a film that addresses a number of issues. Most significantly, the theme here is that everyone should have the chance to be recognized for their unique and exceptional contributions. For its part, All That Glitters has received numerous accolades including: Best Narrative Short Film at CineCina, Best Cinematography winner at the Los Angeles Film Awards, Best Director and Best Short film at NXT UP, as well as appearances as an Official Selection at the Elijah Wells iGen Film Festival and The Film Collective.
