Ah Young Shin, London International Screenwriting and Film Festival Short Screenplay Official Selection

LISFF Short Screenplay Official Selection: A Ghost is White by Ah Young Shin

- Can you please tell us about you and your daily life?

Hi, My name is Ah-Young and I am a South Korean writer and director that is currently based in London. I graduated from Royal College of Art last year and now am freelancing in multiple roles.

- When and how did you get into writing/filmmaking?

I’ve always wanted to write and make films ever since I was really little, but it took me a while to actually start making things. Like a lot of writers, I tend to be inspired by things that are personal to me and it definitely took some time to experiment and find a way to use those things in my work and also feel comfortable with sharing them with other people.

I was able to create stories a lot more during my graduate studies, and the films that I have co-created with some of my classmates have been going to a couple of festivals - like Aesthetica and London Short Film Festival. It’s a really exciting time!

- How often do you write/create ideas? Do you have a working routine? And what inspires you to create?

I don’t have a working routine, the way I write or create works tends to be quite sporadic. Usually what I would do is write down any ideas I have onto my notes app regularly - and as those accumulate they come to naturally have connections with each other. I would also sometimes do a rabbit hole research session in relation to those strands as well. If those become solid enough to create a story, I start writing.

- How does it feel to have your work recognised?

It’s amazing! I think it is always surprising and gratifying when people respond to things you have been making for yourself. It also gives me the confidence to keep doing what I am doing. 

- What's the best and most challenging thing about writing a Screenplay?

Trusting the process and also not being too concerned about how perfect things will be on the first draft.

-  How did you develop the idea for your LISP-selected script? Is there a story behind your story? And, how long have you been working on it?

A Ghost is White was conceived as part of the Immersive Enquiries unit during my graduate studies. By that time, I had been around White City for well over a year but had only recently learned about its colonialist past. This had a big impact on me, and I wanted to tell a story rooted in this place. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of site-specific storytelling, so when my project partner Zoe and I began brainstorming for the unit, we decided to focus on White City as our subject.

Initially, we considered creating a web-based Alternate Reality Game (ARG) centered on a fictional artist persona. This character would delve into the history of White City to make sense of their paranormal experiences there, drawing inspiration from the site-specific legend of the Hammersmith Ghost. However, as the concept evolved, we decided to incorporate our own identities and shifted the medium to an experimental documentary film.

As I wrote the script, I wanted the film to convey the idea that the events of the past inevitably shape our present and future, reflecting how history often repeats itself. I wanted the theme to be embedded not only in the story but also literally through having effects on how the film looks. The changes in colour, damages in the footage and the appearance of glitches throughout the script came from that idea.

- Can you please give us a few tips about writing a Screenplay?

What was a good thing to have in mind for me was to just make what I want and there will be an audience for it somewhere.

- What's the best thing and the most challenging thing about competitions and festivals?

I guess it can be one of the most cliche things to say about competitions but definitely not taking rejection too personally.

- Lastly, do you recommend the writers submit to LISP?

Yes! As much as I love filmmaking, I have a special place in my heart for festivals or competitions that have a focus on screenwriting or storytelling. I am excited to meet everyone on the day of the event.