September 25 2011

Jason Ho is no stranger to the camera or couches. The Minneapolis based writer/director has been working on films since the third grade (which he believes was age 8 or 9 depending on what month he started). His latest film, Couch In Motion, focuses on a teenage boy helping his mother with a ‘little moving project.’ Ho admits the story is definitely inspired from his personal experiences. “My mother is a hardcore antiquer, so I grew up visiting garage and rummage sales alike, always helping redecorate and doing the heavy lifting. Let’s just say, it was always an interesting experience.”

Ho graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN before receiving a full scholarship to Columbia College to study film. Ho ended up leaving Columbia after his first year. “It just wasn’t for me, I needed to get out there and start making things, learn on my own.” He moved to Japan and cut his teeth shooting various commercial work and music videos for several years. During the early part of 2007, he moved back to the states and started working on short films. His short, Puncture Wound, has appeared in several festivals around the country including the New York Cinevision Festival, The San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival and the Vancouver Film Festival. His other upcoming short film, The Pony Collector, will also be making an appearance at the Asian Pacific American Film Festival, later this fall, in Washington D.C. Ho is currently a director at Pixel Farm Digital Studios and an instructor at The Art Institutes International Minnesota.

Ho is a big believer in teamwork. “It’s all about collaboration. With every shoot I’m on, I always learn something new, and that’s how it should be. I recently worked with a stunt coordinator on Couch In Motion, and it totally opened up my brain to new territories I’ve never even thought of.” Ho is currently in the final editing stages of his film and is excited for it’s debut at the IMS Film Showcase. “I think what IMS is doing is great. It’s awesome to see artists and creators alike supporting each other.” Ho has also prompted that the design community should be ready for some ‘high-action design’ when watching his film. “I’ve got two words for you: Stunt Couch.”

Jason Ho’s Couch In Motion will appear at International Market Square’s Film Showcase: Thursday, September 29th, at 7:00pm. Free admission.