photo essay – michael arnold…

michael arnold’s youtube page(link)

i met michael arnold through craigslist a a few months more than a year ago. i was looking for job opportunities to fill my time outside of my teaching position at cdi, and he had put up an ad for a script editor. it was a natural fit for me since i enjoy editing and wanted more experience related to film.

a few emails later, i joined his club on facebook and worked as a continuity supervisor on one of his short films gus’ turn. a few months later, he texted me wanting to know if i wanted to be assistant director for his next short, karma. i accepted as quick as i could.

in between locations, locals would stop michael asking him if he ever starred in a korean television series called surprise. a lot of people recognized him for his work on that show. in addition to having the most foreigner credits in korean television media, michael worked as a casting director helping companies find models and actors.

when it came time for michael to head back to canada, kbs, the biggest broadcasting network in korea, did a special on him. the korean government gave him permanent residency — an honorary f5 visa in recognition for his many cultural contributions.

i had the honor of being michael’s photographer for some headshots his agent wanted. i wanted to do an urban set of photographs. michael wanted to bring his suits. he had three of them. we walked through insa-dong, a tourist spot near anguk station near the nakwon music shopping center. the heat kept us sweating, but michael didn’t complain despite being overdressed.

i don’t know what the numbers are — how many films, shows, commercials he’s played a role in. he hopes to get work back in north america. “i’m going to be famous,” he told me. it’s something i’ve heard myself say — it’s the dream, but not for fame’s sake.

we have stories to tell. “i’m going to be sad,” michael said. “you might not be here when i come back.” his dreams are to bring funding back with him to make a feature film about the country that adopted him. who knows, michael. maybe next time, i’ll be the director asking you for help.