Thuan Tran: Keeping it real

From supporting emerging creatives through his collective OnLunchBreak (OLB) to crafting honest and insightful films for both international and local clients, m ss ng p eces director Thuan Tran is committed to telling real human stories and invoking social change. 

While his commercial career has seen him create work for clients from StockX to Adidas, his concise and impactful personal projects thrive in the online ecosystem. His latest short, Lucky Ones, touches on the superstitious, sometimes odd, things people believe in. 

The things that are honoured and celebrated in our communities are often not represented enough in advertising and film.

Tran launched OnLunchBreak (OLB) over a decade ago, which promotes and showcases unseen talents in marginalised communities, empowering the next generation of creative voices. We caught up with the director to discuss his inspirations, the future of the industry, and the 21st-century authenticity zeitgeist. 

Above: Thuan Tran on set 

What was your journey into directing? 

I used to film myself painting graffiti, and quickly realised I wasn’t the best at painting, but I loved the filming and editing! Eventually, I started shooting music videos as a DoP for a few years. I was a bit in over my head at the time because of my inexperience, so I loved collaboration with real DoPs and quickly learned that my strength was actually in directing.

What drives you as a director, and what are your favourite projects?

Naturally, most of my favourite projects are passion projects, particularly Lucky Ones and Lunar New Year. As far as client work, I really enjoyed working on films for BBC x Yankees, Stock X, and Nike x Bodega. 

My urge is to create art that makes people feel seen. The things that are honoured and celebrated in our communities are often not represented enough in advertising and film. These are the stories I want to tell. For instance, there weren’t many references I was able to look at while creating Lucky Ones. As I was doing visual research, it dawned on me that I would be creating some of the first imagery that immortalises and honours these traditions and our culture as a whole.

Trusting your gut (whether it's the original vision or something you came up with 5 minutes ago)… this skill is the most vital to have on set!

How did your community OnLunchBreak evolve? 

I think OLB started on its own… it started as my circle of creative best friends - we all supported each other and became our own support system. I felt like, when I started as a videographer, it was hard to find community— I really didn’t see people that looked like me in the space. It was very gate-kept and elitist. As soon as I started getting the freedom and ability to bring on my own team I would bring my friends who make me feel comfort in times of stress or anxiety. 

Over time, as we all advanced in our personal fields, we began taking the collective a bit more seriously. Today we collaborate with other artists, branding ourselves as a collaboration HUB where we work with new talent as well as our contemporaries.  I can’t say what impact we’ve had specifically, but we do pride ourselves on the information and tools we share with our community. 

 I think this is the general census of both youth and older audiences… they value genuine stories about real people.

What are the most important skills for a director to have? 

For me I think it's communication and collaboration - I’m still learning a lot, but the main thing I’ve realised is these two things are always the common factor. Directing for me comes down to saying yes or no to things like options or ideas from your department heads. Communicating with them every step of the way will allow the team to better curate these options for you. 

I think everyone is kinda tired of the polished, celebrity-driven pop culture we have become so used to.

After communication and collaboration, I would say trust your gut. Oftentimes you are inundated with options or different ways to view things, but trusting your gut (whether it's the original vision or something you came up with 5 minutes ago)… this skill is the most vital to have on set!

Do you think the role of a director is changing?

I don't think it's changing, there are just more tools available and different types of processes to work with today. I also believe there are several kinds of directors… some who direct/DP and some who are creative geniuses but never touch the camera.

I am blessed to pursue a creative career and the industry evolving around me is simply something I will have to adapt to.

There are also lots of new advancements in technology that have changed the process a bit. With that said, I think that in the future directors will continue to pursue genuine stories even more in order to stand out.

Why do you think authenticity is becoming increasingly important to audiences today?

I think everyone is kinda tired of the polished, celebrity-driven pop culture we have become so used to… Personally, I connect way more with real stories about people in my community, knowing that support and exposure are going to the right people. I think this is the general census of both youth and older audiences… they value genuine stories about real people.

I think that in the future directors will continue to pursue genuine stories even more in order to stand out.