"Everything Everywhere All at Once" Jonathan Wang Producer Couldn't have made it anywhere other than A24 [Director's Interview Vol.309]

It did not work for anything other than A24.

Q: When Daniels creates something, do you ever think, ``Maybe the audience won't understand this?'' Also, what kind of discussions do you have with director Daniels as a producer at times like this?

Wang: They're great collaborators, but they're also different people, so if I need to convince them of something, I approach each of them individually. Daniel Kwan wants to hear everything, so I explain everything to him so he can understand. On the other hand, Daniel Scheinert is the type of person who reveals things little by little during the process, and you can't convince him unless he gets to the point where he understands, ``That's right.'' What these two have in common is that when they say, ``That's impossible,'' they end up thinking, ``If that's the case, I definitely want to make it happen.'' (laughs) It's not that they have a mean personality, but that they accept the word ``it's impossible'' as a ``challenge.'' I end up thinking that I'll make it work somehow (lol).

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Q: All of your films with Daniels were made with A24, but do you think the films you've made with them so far could have been made with a film company other than A24? What is the difference between A24 and other film companies?

Wang: I don't think it would have been possible with any other film company other than A24. Once A24 says yes to a project, we maintain a stance of taking a step back so as not to get in the way. Of course, there is a time to listen to their opinions, but their position is that of a fan of this movie. They express their opinions because they want to support this movie. Even if we disagree, they trust us with the message, ``You are filmmakers, so we trust your opinions.'' I don't think this kind of relationship would be possible at other film companies.

A24 also balances a fine sense of talent discovery with fearless investment. That's also different from others. I think it takes a great deal of courage to discover talent, raise funds for that talent, and let it work freely without being suppressed. If you want to have a lush garden, you have to let nature take its course and let it grow organically. By doing so, something better will grow, whether it's a garden, the land, or a movie. You should never force yourself on anyone, and A24 will never do anything like that.

It's all about "making quality movies"