Lan Freedman

charlieuniformtango

1) What was your first professionally directed work and when was it?
I started directing in the summer of 2015 – it was a job for Service King and Firehouse. Before that I was unprofessionally directing many holiday party videos at tango.

2) How did you get into directing? 
I went to film school here in Texas and did multiple internships and apprenticeships in California including Kodak. I got great exposure at places like the Cannes Film Festival and even did script reading at Artisan Entertainment. My goal was always to be a director. After working at Tango as a production and post assistant, I worked my way up taking on bigger and bigger roles and even contemplating a career as an editor for a bit, but realizing in the end that directing was my passion. I got my chance in 2015 and never looked back.

3) What is your most recent project? 
I’m currently directing several projects at Tango. At the start of the year I had a blast directing a Super Bowl spot for the Texas Rangers starring another Tango director, Jeremy Bartel. I also got to direct a series of content pieces for Google and YouTube that debuted at Sundance and then rolled out at SXSW challenging the way we tell stories at :06, :15 :30 and longer lengths.

4) What is the best part of being a director? 
There are lots of great things. Each shoot is a different dynamic so it’s always inspiring and feels fresh. Also, the friendships and relationships formed with intense work schedules and creative collaboration are hard to beat. You meet some incredible people on both sides of the camera.

5) What is the worst part of being a director? 
When you’re more than ten miles from the nearest Jimmy John’s – and onset anxiety – clammy palms.

6) What is your current career focus: commercials and branded content, TV movies? Do you plan to specialize in a particular genre—comedy, drama, visual effects, etc.? 
I’m a comedy and dialogue guy. Definitely interested in other projects and even recently did something for a non-profit foundation that was a serious subject and it was incredibly rewarding, but if I get to choose – I’m making people laugh. Hopefully!

7) Have you a mentor and if so, who is that person (or persons) and what has been the lesson learned from that mentoring which resonates with you? 
I love Mentos – especially the multi-colored ones… Just kidding. I’ve learned a lot working with great DP’s like Mark Fisher. The biggest lesson is just – don’t panic. There are inevitably things that go wrong in any production. There’s always a way to make it work – and sometimes you end up with something better than you thought or planned.

8) Who is your favorite director and why? 
Andrei Tarkovsky is my favorite director – a bit obscure, he did the original Solaris and Nostalgia – his cinematography and pacing are hard to beat.

9) What is your favorite movie? Your favorite television/online program? Your favorite commercial or branded content? 
My favorite movie is definitely Dr. Strangelove. TV would have to be Arrested Development. My fave commercial right now is Halo Top “Eat The Ice Cream”.

10) Tell us about your background (i.e., where did you grow up? Past jobs?)
Originally a psychology major, Lan intended on a career as a therapist, but decided he’d rather work out his issues in the full light of day as a director.

He went to film school at UNT, where he sold one of his student films to Universal. He’s worked as script reader for Artisan Entertainment, and as a script writer at Funimation.

He has travelled to the Cannes Film Festival five times. Lan has directed for clients such as Google, Ted’s Pain Cream, 7-Eleven, American Airlines, Orkin, Texas Rangers, Dewar’s, Leap Frog, and Raising Canes. Lan has dedicated himself to his art for years. You can tell by how much he has neglected his fitness, fashion, and personal hygiene. 

Contact

Mary Alice Butler, charlieunformtango

Click here to contact via email