I’m thrilled to share that I received my Australia 408 Entertainment Working Visa yesterday!
This milestone marks a turning point: Melodies of the Abyss is officially set in motion. With this visa in hand, I can now work on-site in Australia—immersing myself fully in the creative process and collaborating closely with our talented team. The potential of this project is immense, and I can’t wait to see how it evolves through our collective efforts. I’m ready to bring every ounce of passion and precision to ensure Melodies of the Abyss becomes a truly groundbreaking work of art.
The Backstory: A Twist in the Tale
Inspired by a true event that shocked the world in the ’90s, I wrote a screenplay I initially planned to shoot in the United States. The story had weight, urgency, and emotional depth—and I believed it belonged on American soil. I reached out to several producers in LA, and to my surprise, they were genuinely interested. The momentum was building.
But then came the reality check.
My mentors in Hollywood reminded me that, as a non–US citizen, I’d need an O-1 Entertainment Visa to legally shoot in the States. Despite my background and body of work, the O-1 process is notoriously slow and unpredictable. At that moment, it felt like the end of the world. The dream of filming in the US—of walking those streets with a camera and a crew—vanished just like that.
Of course, some Chinese producers in LA casually suggested shooting without the visa. But that’s a story for another blog.
One of my mentors then suggested Australia. The 408 Entertainment Visa, he said, was a more accessible option. He introduced me to a few friends there, and suddenly, the horizon shifted. A new possibility emerged.
But with it came a new challenge: while LA had sponsors and financial backing, Australia did not—at least not yet.
And then came Max.
Max Wei Haihan, a longtime friend who runs a production company in Australia, read the script and loved it. Without hesitation, he decided to produce the film. That moment reminded me that sometimes, when one door slams shut, another opens quietly—just wide enough for a dream to slip through.
Now, here we are. A story born from a global tragedy, nurtured across continents, and brought to life by a team that believes in its power. The journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been real. And that, to me, is everything.
For more information on "Melodies of the Abyess"
IMDb: https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt32658354/filmmakers
Officail HP: https://www.melodiesoftheabyss.com/
Official IG: @melodies_of_the_abyss
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About me:
IMDb - IMDb.me/sam
INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/iwatasam/
#MelodiesOfTheAbyss #Filmmaking #ShortFilm #PreProduction #FilmProductionAustralia #workingvisa
