International action performer, accomplished all-around filmmaker, multi-lingual Korean Australian (who also happens to make an epic vegan burger bowl), currently residing in Los Angeles, California
1. Tell us your name, where you were born, and your first memory you have from where you began!
DAVID WILL NO....
born in Melbourne, Australia where I grew up. The earliest memory... that of course is a difficult one as it is proven that human memory is absolutely flawed! Did you remember it? ...or did you make it up based upon the life and experiences that you have had ...or a story you once heard from your parents?
One early memory I had was when our German Sheapard, named "Honey" was hit by a car. I would have been around 2 or 3 years old. I remember she was alive, but covered in blood. I also remember a time when we went to pick up my sister from Kindergarten. I climbed over the huge Kindergarten gate. As an adult I went back to visit it and it was only hip height!
2. What were the overlaying cultural themes in your family? How did that align or differ to the communities you were surrounded by?
Australian, but we did spend a lot of time with my Korean grandparents as they lived close by and my parents taught martial arts at night. I think my experience was unique. Still to this day, the only half-Korean half-Australian people I've met are my siblings. There were many aspects of my family culture I assumed were Korean, however, when I lived in Korea as an adult, I realized that it was not Korean culture, but "martial arts" culture that I grew up with.
3. What did you like least about where you grew up? What did you like most?
My initial reaction to this question is that I don't think along those lines. I experience the world and accept that life isn't always a bed of roses. I appreciate that all my experiences have carved me into the person I am today.
*editor's note: Robin Marchment, David's mother, was the first ever female blackbelt in Australia, and remains amongst the highest ranking females in the world. Ke-Hyung No, David's father, was responsible for establishing Taekwondo in Australia in 1965.
4. What was the first big idea you ever had? Did it come to fruition in some sense?
Big idea... hmmm... such a broad question. When I was in high school I designed a self-scoring taekwondo body protector. I had heard they had tried with electronic sensors, but had failed. I was studying fluid dynamics in physics at the time, so I figured, you could use air cells in the front and air flow meters at the back of the protector. I went to apply for a patent, but I would have had to create a prototype, which as a high school student wasn't really practical. I did nothing about it. About a decade later, someone actually designed the same sort of system!
5. Who influenced your taste in expression as a child? How so?
"Taste in expression" wow, interesting questions! I'm not sure, how to answer this one. I guess like everyone else, first you receive influences from your parents. My love of film and filmmaking came from my good friend Brent Houghton who cast me in his film school graduation film. Various friends have influenced my music tastes. I was a dancer and a martial artist, which infuences my movement expressions. My thoughts and philosophies of life are a result of a combination of everything.
6. What was the first full album you purchased/found and couldn’t get enough of? What did it make you feel? Twin cassette decks were popular when I was young. When I first got into music collections, it was AC/DC, metallica, Dio, etc (probably from my cousin). My first vinyl album was probably Jean Michel Jarre (who was a pioneer of New Age Electronica). My first CD was Def Leopard Hysteria. However, I have collected a huge range of music. Classical, many OSTs from movies, Pink Floyd, Korean kpop & hiphop.... as a filmmaker, music is a part of the process, so I am continually trying to take in all types of music.
7. What hobbies, sports, events, arts, were you drawn to before the age of 10? Do you feel like you’re still interacting with these same genres in your current time in life? Do you miss any of them?
Ha! I was driven in many directions. I played the piano. I did ballet. I competed in tennis, badminton, basketball, gymnastics, and of course judo and taekwondo which has been consistently in my life. My first ever computer was the Commodore64, and my interest in computers, and technology has also been a constant, and video editing and VFX have been necessary tools for my filmmaking. Recently I have returned back to making music, playing the piano a bit and teaching myself how to play the guitar as well as singing (its a Korean thing I guess!).
8. Who was your first best friend? What is your most vivid memory of your friendship?
My best friend was infact my cousin. We here the same age and our families did many things together. We did martial arts together, we ended up going to the same school... they actually bought our old house. We both had strict Korean fathers and we experienced Korean/martial arts culture in the backdrop of Australian culture. We watched a Japanese show called "Monkey" (Monkey Magic) that was dubbed into English and we would make up fight scenes in the backyard. We were close. Unfortunately, a while ago, on the day of my birthday, I received a phone call... he had had a tragic acident and had passed away.
9. Where do you go to find your peace?
Hmm.. time alone is always good. Music is good. Nature is good.
10. What is a lifelong goal you can’t wait to start? What is it about it that brings you to life?
I have written many screenplays and have directed a couple of projects. I guess I find these projects my creative expression. I can imbue them with my observations of life. I find directing the culmination of all the other areas of filmmaking (producing, editing, acting, camerawork etc) that I have learnt over the years. I guess I've already got a taste for directing, but doing it on a much bigger scale would be the goal. Indy filmmaking is about compromise (no time and no money), so getting to direct on a project without these restrictions would be the ultimate goal!
11. Where do you wish to travel to that you have never been? Why?
In Year 8 geography, I was assigned the country of Peru to do a presentation on. I haven't been there yet.... yet!
12. How do you connect best with other people?
Personal connection? Social or business connection? I do like learning more about people. Understanding the people around you on more than a superficial level is important. I've spent a great deal of time travelling the world and working and living everywhere, so the people in my life are spread across the globe. Social media has been initially great to keep in touch, but I also feel cautious about the negative effects that social media has brought on society. Feeding people a home cooked meal is a great way to connect. Exercising together and sharing my martial arts knowledge is another way. I guess these questions are deliberately broad... its a test of how I interpret the question! I see what you're doing!^^
13. Favorite song of the moment?
I'm learning Pink Floyd's "Wish you were here" on the guitar at the moment. An oldie but a goodie!
Still from film 'The Debt Collector' with fellow stunt performers Michael Lehr and Mark Musashi
14. What are you most proud of at this exact moment in time?
Proud... its such a hard question. It sort of infers advertising the achiements that bring you deep pleasure about yourself. I guess I'm a little shy in sharing these things publically. Maybe my health, my commitment to learning everything I can in all directions, maybe its as simple as trying to treat others well. Maybe more recently in this covid lockdown, its cooking more at home and making healthy tasty meals for other people.
15. What is the thing you are most shy about? What is the worst that could happen if you did it?
The biggest thing I've related shyness to is receiving compliments... its obviously a great feeling (when its genuine) but also can sometimes make me feel uncomfortable.
16. What are the qualities that you value most in a friend today?
Truth... as in truth of their character. So many people try to project a different version of themselves. Also loyalty. If friends aren't loyal to each other, I guess they aren't really friends.
Also honor. This one sounds like something from the middle ages, but when people are "unreliable" or "fickle" they reveal a lack of honor. What can I say, I was raised in a martial arts world!
Finally trust and honesty. If you trust that a friend wants the best for you, hopefully you can trust their honesty- even if it means looking at yourself.
17. How do you find your calm in tumultuous times?
Music... exercise... setting goals and getting productive or creative.
18. What is your current greatest fear?
Fear... again, I don't approach life in that way. I see how fear makes good people do bad things to each other, and so I do my best to be fearless. Fear is the unpleasant feeling about something that has not happened yet. In dealing with the future, we can only strive towards good outcomes and and take measures to guard against bad ones. However, the fear of things we have no control over is a wasted negative energy. Fear management is an important aspect of stuntwork. There are things I've had to do that were potentially life threatening, but I used logic and precautions to mitigate the chance of dying!
19. What is your current greatest strength?
Mental strength. Whether that be to always seek out a solution to a problem... or to equally have a warm and compassionate heart AND a tough no bullsh*t one. To not allow emotion to cloud judgement. In low times, find self-motivation to keep myself positive and productive. Also, not to "hate" your enemies.
20. What brings you the most joy?
Teaching people and seeing them grow. Every person is a new puzzle and finding the right key to learning is often different for each person. Martial arts especially is not only the teaching of physical skills, but also a way of preparing the mind for what we encounter in our lives.
21. How does your current line of work support your core values?
Acting and stuntwork puts all the physical and mental discipline I've learnt from martial arts into application. Being a filmmaker has allowed me to express my core values in the stories I tell. It is a way to teach a greater audience. Bruce Lee thought the same way.
22. What advice would you give your 10 year old self? What advice would your 10 year old self give you?
Being unique is not a handicap... it is an advantage. Don't doubt yourself - the world is small and you are big enough to conquer it if you wish to.
23. What projects are you working on now that you are most excited about? Why are they so valuable to you ?
Learning guitar! Because music touches your soul, and is a little more portable than a piano! Also helping a friend with a short film and have a role on another upcoming project. I also started a webseries called "CRASH ZONE STUNT SHOW" where we crash test equipment for stunts and action sports. The first epsiodes were surprisingly popular. I've had different brands asking us to do videos on their products and so I'm currently planning the next bunch of videos.
24. Who would you have coffee with dead or alive? Why?
Too many people! The person who is funding my next feature film. Maybe family because we are so spread out across the world and family connection is important. Anyone that inspires and guides you on this journey called life... YOU! Why are you in Coppenhagen?!
25. Who do you find most inspiring at this current time in your life?
Some of my big brothers in the film industry here in the US. I feel I have just returned to LA after being lost in Seoul for 8 years. I watch their successes and know that I'll be travelling along a similar path. I feel that mentorship is so important in life and in particular the film industry. You need good mentors that have gone before you... and hopefully you can be a good mentor to the people coming after you. This thinking maybe more prevalent in Asian societies, but I see the relevance here as well.
Hair and Makeup trailer on 'Altered Carbon' with fellow stunt performer Michelle Lee and Richard Morgan, author of the 'Altered Carbon' book series.
26. Do you have a morning or night routine? If so, why are they important to you?
I try to make the bed in the morning. I try to do the dishes as soon as I've used them. My life can get chaotic, so leaving things undone will only lead to more chaos!
27. How do you best honor yourself?
I guess to believe in myself and trust in my own abilities.
28. What is the craziest thing you want to do?
I think wingsuit flying would be pretty invigorating!
29. What is your favorite meal to cook when you need something fast, and when you are ready to invest in the kitchen?
Lately i've been making an extra effort to eat clean, so one of my favorite meals is my vegan burger in a bowl!
30. What is your favorite question to ask others?
"How are you?" Its such a simple thing and we say it often. However, when we hear it asked, we often don't answer it truthfully - because no one likes a complainer or we don't want to appear weak. When I ask this question, I look for the answer, whether it is spoken or not.
31. What are your favorite travel tips?
That would depend on where you travel to! In general, try to learn some of the language and the cutlure. I think the more people travel, the more they realize the world doesn't revolve around their own little cosmos. If everyone traveled more, and they experienced what it is like to be the fish out of water.. there would be more tolerance of others, and perhaps more appreciation of what you have.
32. And of course, what is your go-to travel snack?
Again, depends of the country, climate, situation etc.
33. What's your most memorable travel experience?
Working in a remote South African village on the east coast. These people had no television, or electricity. They sang and danced for entertainment. They had hardly seen a Caucasian, and had never seen an Asian (I took a Korean film crew there!). They have no comprehension of what a Louis Vitton bag or a BMW is, yet they were the happiest people I've ever met. This of course contrasted heavily to Johannesburg which was probably the most fear gripped city I've been to.
34. What sort of presence does Social media have in your life? In the entertainment industry, social media has become one of those necessary evils.. Fans like to follow you.. and people who wish to hire you will often check your socials. For someone who works in the public sphere, I am actually quite a shy guy. I like to keep my private life private, so I am careful about what I post. However, it has been a great tool for me to get to know the people in the local industry and for them to get to know me. I've seen people unhealthily obsessed by Social Media. Personally, I turn off all my social media notifications, and only check them when I'm not focusing on something else. I think engaging with your phone on your own terms is important. If I'm meeting with someone, I rather give them my full attention and not have the distraction of my phone demanding mine.
35. How have you spent your time during the global COVID lockdown?
Taught myself how to use 3D VFX software. Edited CRASH ZONE episodes. Exercised at home, and more recently I've started training a small group at a nearby park. Gained a couple of qualifications (one in stunt safety and one in COVID compliance). Training motorcycle skills. I have also been fortunate to have worked on a video game and several film projects under strict covid19 guidelines.
David currently resides in Los Angeles, California. He can be found on:
IMDb: @davidwillno IG: @davidwillno YouTube: @davidwillno
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