My life as me

an autobiographical portrait

of Kenneth Y. Law, 2008

The meaning of life is to make a difference, and that is what I aspire to do, in any way possible; by any means necessary.  Having lived some 12 years of my life in the United States, I have developed a wide array of skills and perspectives.  I’ve learned to value my roots and take nothing for granted.

For as long as I remember I’ve always wanted to be in show business.  I was ushered into the world of entertainment at an early age by television programs and feature films both local (Hong Kong) and from abroad (Japan, US, Europe...).  As I mature, I decided that the most logical way for me to make a difference was to give back to the industry that has brought me so much joy and helped me discover who I was meant to be.

This revelation led me onto a long and winded path towards acquiring the skills and insights necessary for me to succeed in the entertainment industry.  Along the way, I achieved a bachelor's degree in Cinema Studies, which equipped me with not only a critical, but furthermore, an analytical eye for the art of film and the cinema going experience.  By studying various genres of film, I’ve learned to analyze the cultural, political, and artistic value of entertainment to people’s lives and as a commercial enterprise.

At one point during my studies, I realized that I was no longer satisfied with just sitting on the sidelines watching and analyzing others work.  I proceeded to turn my focus onto absorbing as much hands-on production experiences as I possibly can.  I enrolled myself in a Film/Video production certificate program and learned many of the basics in production work from camera operation to set management; from lighting to continuity; and from scene direction to post-production.  With certificate in hand and my university diploma in sight, I ventured into the world of video production determined to make a name for myself.

Location. Location. Location.  A great many wise men and women have learned from experience, that often, opportunities depend heavily on the environment in which you find yourself.  I dare not claim to be as wise, or as experienced, but from what I’ve learned so far, there’s a lot of truth to that.  With graduation a few years away and my mind set on completing the degree I’ve started, I was delighted when I learned the news of my employment by my school’s Sports Video department.  Long have I been interested in sports, and with the amount of hands-on camera time I was set to gain with the position, it really was a match made in heaven.  However...

After several years working as a camera operator and doing many odd jobs for the sports video department, I’ve grown tiresome of the monotony, the repetitiveness and ultimately the low wages of the job.  In order to create a spark and some extra income, I diversified into freelance work advertising myself online as a videographer.  At first, the going was tough.  The only freelance jobs I was able to get was editing work referred to me by my boss at sports video and even more sports related work for a different company.  Little by little, however, offers for different types of video work begin to surface.  Advertising agencies, privet parties, local corporations and such started knocking on my door and once again, life seems grand and the future shines brightly ahead.

At that time, my ex-fiancée, now wife has gotten involve with an organization called Team in Training, a group initiated by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society that participate in marathons, triathlons and bike races raising money for cancer research while helping cover medical costs for patients in need of assistance.  As she gives up her body and soul to compete in triathlons for such a noble cause, I feel a sort of calling to do my part with the talents I posses.  I volunteered to produce commemorative videos for the teams so that team members, their loved ones and sponsors can relive their experiences before, during and after the races. Though I received no financial benefit from my act of charity, I did gain invaluable practice on my technical skills as a filmmaker.  I was content, comfortable and getting married.

Maybe it was newly married life, maybe it was the fickle nature of freelance work, or maybe it’s the static complacency permeating the atmosphere in sports video.  Suddenly, I felt trapped in a life that was no longer my own, a path that leads to nowhere.  All I can see in front of me was a family I can’t support, a career less stable then a two-legged chair and a job with no prospect of change.  Change is exactly what I needed and it is for that reason that I decided to uproot my newly formed family and move back to Hong Kong after so many years.  I needed a place that reminds me why I am who I am; do what I do; did what I did.  This place from which I entered this world shall be the place where my aspirations are realized.  This place from which I’ve learned life’s purpose shall be the place where I shall begin this new chapter of mine.  As this part of my life in the US temporarily came to an end, I can take comfort in the fact that the sun will continue to rise from the east; so too shall I.

In the following year and a half of my life since my emphatic return from voluntary exile, many things has come to pass.  My American wife has joined me in Hong Kong.  I took a job as a creative director in an I.T. company and got my hands dirty with the business world of deceit, fierce competition and limitless potential.  While my ultimate goal of a life in the entertainment industry remained unchanged, the path towards that goal has taken a sudden and unexpected turn in the direction of entrepreneurship.

With the world rapidly changing, our everyday existence is slowly by surely infiltrated by technology.  In many ways, our life is affected for the better, but in other ways, it has gotten more cluttered and less productive.  I’ve learned first hand that there is a need for simplicity and increasing demand of quality content amidst the chaos that is the current state of the information age.  As a consumer, I’ve experienced the best and the worst information technology has to offer and it is from that starting point that I’ve set out my new path towards the entertainment industry as a developer of new media services that help people and businesses connect through quality content.

Yes, I know this is a pretty strange departure for someone wanting to be a filmmaker.  But such is the mystery of life.  When inspiration strikes, it can strike in any form, sometimes when least expected.  I believe that creativity shouldn’t be bound by artificial constraints such as industry, gender or race.  The people with the most impact on the world are those who can see past their own narrow experience and apply their many talents and ideas.  I hope that what I’m doing now will one day be inspiration for others to do their part to make the world a better place for all.

Tomorrow will be yesterday the day after tomorrow, so what you do today is shaping the history of the future.  As I turn another page in the story of my life, I can proudly say that I’m moving forward.  But stay tuned, it’s not over yet; not even close.

As you may have realized, I am a storyteller, through and through.  Even on what was suppose to be a brief description of myself, I can’t help but turn it into an autobiography of sorts.  I’m willing to do anything that will bring me closer to my ultimate goal of becoming a filmmaker.  I’m confident that starting my own company is a step in the right direction.  I know that the road ahead is going to be much harder than the road I left behind, but I’m prepared to dedicate myself to the tasks at hand, whatever they maybe.  Now that you know who I am, let me show you what I can do.  Perhaps Hong Kong is finally the right place for a dreamer like me to take wings and fly.  I WILL achieve my goal, in any way possible; by any means necessary.

If you’ve gotten this far, I must thank you for your indulgence and apologize for being so verbose.  Take care.