CSI Director Duane Clark Lauds Korean Enthusiasm

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Duane Clark, who won the Best Producer Award at the Seoul Drama Awards (SDAs), was pleasantly surprised when he realized that the "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (CSI) series was so popular in Korea.

"This is my first time in Asia. I knew the series was popular around the world but I didn't realize how big it was in Korea specifically. Now I understand", he said during an interview with The Korea Times. Clark is one of the five directors who take part in the making of each season.

When asked how he felt about his win, Clark laughed and held up his trophy.

"It's fantastic. It's very special to win an award that has no politics attached to it", he said.
Clark started with fantasy and science fiction works like "Highlander" and "Stargate" as a director, and also on the legal-drama show "The Practice".

"I then began doing `CSI: Las Vegas' and `CSI: Miami' and I ended up doing a lot of them. Then I got a reputation for that", he explained.

Why does he think CSI is so popular around the world?

"The show has a very cinematic look. Jerry Bruckheimer had this idea that he called featured television, which is basically the idea that television could look as good as a movie. (We use) very long lenses and the lighting is generally back lit. (Another reason) is that the pace is very quick. You don't have to sit there and wait. Just before the commercial break, there will always be danger and suspense, or mini cliffhangers", the director said.

Clark's next work is a medical drama called "Three Rivers", which covers the emotionally complex lives of organ donors. The show stars Daniel Henney, who Clark describes as "a very nice guy".

For aspiring directors, Clark had a message: Simple and straightforward.

"Be sure you love what you do and you want to do this, because it's a very difficult and, quite frankly, nasty business. I think people are in love with the dream of entertainment, but there's a difference in dreams and reality", he said.

"For me, I don't like to fail. I gave myself a goal and I refuse to fail. So I keep trying".