Anderson .Paak’s directorial debut: A family affair in ‘K-Pops!’
A new chapter in Anderson .Paak’s career
During the depths of the pandemic, musician Anderson .Paak found a unique way to bond with his son, Soul Rasheed, by helping him start a YouTube channel. This father-son collaboration has now evolved into something much bigger: a feature film. “K-Pops!”, .Paak’s directorial debut, is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The plot: A journey of rediscovery
The film follows BJ (.Paak), a washed-up musician trying to reclaim his path to stardom. He lands a gig with a house band in Seoul for a K-Pop competition show, only to discover that his long-lost son, Tae Young (Rasheed), is also pursuing a music career. This unexpected reunion sets the stage for a heartwarming and humorous exploration of family, ambition, and the universal language of music.
Watch the trailer for “K-Pops!”
The inspiration behind the camera
Discovering a passion for directing
Reflecting on his journey to directing, .Paak shared that his love for filmmaking began in his youth. “I have a lot of siblings, and we would just watch movies and imitate them. My oldest sister and I would make mini home movies, just imitating what we saw,” he recalls. His high school elective in film editing further fueled this passion.
However, it was his collaboration with Silk Sonic that reignited his interest in directing. Watching Bruno Mars take the lead on directing their music videos inspired .Paak to pursue his own projects. “I saw how hands-on Bruno was with all his visuals, and I was like, ‘Dude, I need to do my own stuff.'”
A quarantine project turned feature film
The pandemic lockdown provided the perfect opportunity for .Paak to dive into filmmaking. His son’s interest in becoming a YouTuber led them to create skits together, which rekindled .Paak’s love for video editing. “I was staying up all late, editing his videos. It just got me wanting to write a script,” he explains. This creative spark eventually led to the genesis of “K-Pops!”
Crafting the story
The influence of K-Pop
The idea for the film’s plot emerged from .Paak’s observations during quarantine. “My whole house was obsessed with K-Pop, with BTS and groups like that,” he notes. Feeling like the odd man out, he decided to explore this cultural phenomenon. “I was like, ‘I need to see what this is all about. I’m a musician too. I could probably link up with BTS.'”
This curiosity, combined with his desire to connect with his children, inspired him to write a story that bridges generational and cultural gaps.
Collaborating on the screenplay
.Paak co-wrote the screenplay with Khaila Amazan, a talented writer who brought structure and storytelling expertise to the project. “It was one of the hardest things I ever did. I learned so much,” .Paak admits. Their collaboration resulted in a script that balanced .Paak’s vision for dialogue and pacing with Amazan’s narrative skills.
The process was intense, involving constant revisions and refinements. “Up until we were filming, I was still changing stuff and trying to make it better,” .Paak says. This dedication to the craft ultimately enriched the story and deepened his understanding of the characters.
A family affair
Guiding his son on set
Before filming began, .Paak made sure his son was fully committed to the project. “I just kept asking him, ‘You still want to do this, right?'” he recalls. Rasheed’s enthusiasm and dedication reassured .Paak that they were on the right path.
On set, .Paak prioritized his son’s comfort and well-being. “I was just making sure he was comfortable and checking up on him,” he says. This supportive approach helped create a positive and collaborative environment, allowing both father and son to thrive.
The road to TIFF
A milestone achievement
Having “K-Pops!” premiere at TIFF is a significant milestone for .Paak. “I was so nervous about even submitting. I’ve never even really been to any movie festivals,” he confesses. The acceptance of his film into such a prestigious festival is a testament to his hard work and creative vision.
For cinema and music enthusiasts, “K-Pops!” offers a unique blend of heartfelt storytelling and vibrant musical performances. It’s a film that celebrates the power of music to bring people together, transcending cultural and generational boundaries.
Watch the trailer for “K-Pops!”
Final thoughts
Anderson .Paak’s journey from musician to filmmaker is a testament to the power of creativity and the importance of following one’s passions. “K-Pops!” is not just a film; it’s a labor of love that showcases the bond between a father and his son, set against the backdrop of the dynamic world of K-Pop. As .Paak continues to explore new artistic avenues, his fans can look forward to more innovative and heartfelt projects in the future.