An MBA's Starring Role in Moviemaking

5 p.m. -- I meet Juan at his office, where we watch the cinematography reels of two directors of photography, including one named Goh. Later, Goh comes in to meet me in person. We talk about his shooting style and agree to go on a preliminary test shoot tomorrow at 7 a.m. at Boat Quay.

My initial gut feeling on Goh is positive, but I know he'll be expensive. I try my best to build a rapport with him so that the financial negotiations will be easier. I remember that I will need a BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement) from negotiations class.

6:30 p.m. -- I grab dinner on the way home. Michelle calls to tell me I'm late.

7 p.m. -- We start rehearsals with the female and male leads. I'm thrilled that we cast them. They're really working well together. This is the most fun I'm having today.

9 p.m. -- Michelle and I take a break. We run through the day and update each other on the new preliminary shooting schedule, shooting locations, cast, funding, and camera crew. I'm nervous that we still don't have a DP or a confirmed supporting actress because it's only three weeks from the start of shooting. We plan our strategies for tomorrow.

10 p.m. -- I call Bin Li in Sydney. We discuss the script, and he seems excited about coming on board as an editor. I can already tell we will work well together.

11 p.m. -- I revisit my director's notes, hoping that I will have enough time to put my shots on a storyboard. Before I go to bed, I listen to music and talk on the phone with a couple of friends.

"TON OF FUN."  My MBA degree has had a leading role in my new career as a filmmaker. The classes from Stanford that have been the most relevant are entrepreneurship, negotiations, organizational dynamics, and marketing.

The creative side is a ton of fun. I get to write stories, cast them, scout locations, work on art, set, and costume design, choose the music score, work with actors in rehearsals, and plan storyboards and my shoots with the director of photography. After preproduction, we shoot and edit the film, then market and distribute it.

If you have any questions, please contact me at lianne@liannehuangfilms.com or visit my Web site

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