You might not know it, but you’re more familiar with Phutsachi Pipat’s, or Koo’s, work than you expect.
The Thai director has made some of the most memorable video content in recent years. The ‘Win Leow’ Health Promotion Board series of ads? That’s Koo. The Mediacorp thriller The Intruder? Koo. Those really cool, action-packed (and one delightfully surreal Alice In Wonderland-inspired) Central Narcotics Bureau videos? Also Koo.
In the world of production, he’s an in-demand director, and he’s worked with some of the largest brands out there, including Sony, Unilever, Pepsi, Yeo’s and Suzuki.
When we spoke to him about his approach to filmmaking, he says, “Making films is like making love.” There was a pause as we wondered if he was serious or joking. It turns out that it’s both. And we see this aspect when Koo is at work as well. He takes filmmaking seriously, but understands that there has to be an element of play and chaos involved as well, to allow creativity to flourish.
He explains, “It’s relationship between me as the filmmaker, and the audience. Without good foreplay, or the set up of a story, you can’t get a good…pay off. It’s not a good film if only you’re happy. Your partner, or audience, must be satisfied too.”
Thankfully, he continues, “We need to understand our audience. I do what I can to make them feel my story and my message, not just understand it.” It’s fitting that one of Koo’s favourite quote is by Charlie Chaplin, “Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up but a comedy in long-shot.”
Koo is well-travelled, and it shows when you sit down for a conversation with him. He was born in Thailand, is a Singaporean Permanent Resident and has done filmmaking work in Pakistan, Thailand, Australia, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, China and beyond.
He does what he does due to an innate love for filmmaking. When we asked what inspired him to get into filmmaking, he replies, “Just by watching film, that’s it. It hooked me in. And I find that the act of filmmaking is fascinating. The process itself comes with its own drama really, and the director is in the middle of it all.” Hearing him say that, and seeing his face come alive, you get the sense that Koo is inspired by everything happening around him, and his role as a director is to redirect all of that into something compelling for the screen.
Nevertheless, he doesn’t undercut the hustle and hard work that comes with becoming a director. “If you want to be a filmmaker, you have to start today. Use whatever means you have at your disposal to tell a story. Take out your smartphone and film something. Share it with friends and family. Be adventurous – get yourself out there and test the water. Write a script and read it out loud to somebody. Practice how you tell a story.”
