Please tell us about the projects you worked on before making ‘RAM’. How did you start, and how did you learn to make films?
I started writing screenplays in middle school and even completed a feature-length script for Batman 5, that I was able to pitch to Warner Bros. (Clearly that film didn’t get made.) Years later, filmmaking became my career after I moved to Los Angeles, where I began producing and co-writing films and commercials with Gerardo Maravilla and Steven Yee. Our first two short films gained some festival attention, and eventually, I produced my first solo project, Winter. The positive reception to Winter inspired me to continue creating my own work, leading to the first season of my series, Pretty Dudes. The series has since grown into an expansive IP with a passionate fanbase.
Tell us about ‘RAM’. How do you describe it?
RAM (Like the Verb) is an exploration of self-representation, performative identity, and the blurred line between pride and shame. I originally created the character of Ram for the second season of Pretty Dudes, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season had to be scrapped. I wanted to preserve this vibrant, multifaceted, and hilarious character—portrayed brilliantly by Charlit Dae—so I decided to center Ram within his own short film.
Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.
I have a deep admiration for Robert Townsend, who has directed films across all genres—from dramas to mockumentaries, musicals, and even the highest-grossing stand-up comedy concert film. Vincent Minelli, too, is a gold standard for me, especially his marriage of lush visuals and engaging storytelling. Among those who I count as my “future contemporaries,” Jordan Peele, Ava DuVernay, Ryan Coogler, and Barry Jenkins have each made visceral, poetic, and essential films. Their work—including such films as Nope, Origin, Black Panther, and Moonlight—has had a profound, metaphysical impact on me. I aspire to create art that inspires the same kind of personal transformation.
If you were given a good budget, what would be your ideal project?
I want to create a heartfelt, comedic exploration of homophobia in the Black Christian community, especially focusing on how self-proclaimed allies often remain silent and thus complicit when faced with homophobic preachers and sermons. The budget for the church lady hats alone would cost more than some of my previous projects put together!
Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?
One of the best ways to keep a production on schedule is by building a reliable team that can be trusted to handle their responsibilities. This trust extends to everyone—cast and crew alike. Production meetings and blocking rehearsals are beneficial. It takes the right mix of skill and trust for a project to stay on time.
What was the hardest part of making ‘RAM’.
The most challenging aspect of making RAM was utilizing example-based synthesis technology for rotoscoping. This process required meticulous attention to detail, as I blended transitions between keyframes to create a fluid, seamless moving image. The work was incredibly time-consuming and so demanding on my computer that it took several years to complete.
If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?
Currently, I'm hard at work on the next chapter of Pretty Dudes, a standalone season subtitled The 626. This new chapter isn’t a conventional continuation but rather an intentional restructuring of the show as a thematic anthology series. It’s set in the same universe with a few shared characters, but it now focuses on the diverse and evolving stories of queer lives intersecting with various identities.
The 626 centers on a group of queer Asian American and Filipinx friends in the San Gabriel Valley as they navigate cultural and societal expectations throughout significant celebrations over the year. Each episode spotlights a specific event or celebration, paired with a unique storytelling device—from a Lunar New Year farce to a Pride-themed homage to Rashomon. Check out my website chancecalloway.com to stay updated on all of my various projects.
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