Exploring the themes of life after death and technological dystopias, Yuen Hsieh introduces us to Digital Afterlife Agency, an organization made to bring clients to a digital afterlife where they can continue living perpetually in virtual reality. The director talks to us about his inspirations, creative process, and views of the future.

Greetings Yuen, can you please introduce yourself? Where are you from? How long have you been directing videos?

☆ Hello, my name is YUEN HSIEH, and I am a director / visual artist / DJ who was born in Taiwan, and educated in London. I went to Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art. Growing up in a multicultural environment, I have always been fascinated by the way different cultures and modern technology influence art and creativity. As a visual artist, I am passionate about using technology to create a dialogue and understanding between what and what is from different backgrounds and to challenge stereotypes and biases. I've been working as a video director for the past decade. It's been an amazing journey so far, and I've had the opportunity to work on some really cool projects with incredible people.
( //ᗒ ワ ᗕ )

Can you please walk us through your creative process?

☆ My creative process is like taking a psychedelic trip. I start by getting in the zone, putting on some music ♫｡.:･♪ , and letting my mind wander. As I start to sketch out ideas, I feel like I'm diving deeper and deeper into my subconscious, unlocking new levels of creativity with new ideas. As I move into the next phase of my process, it's like I'm taking a psychedelic journey through my own imagination. However, when you work as a team, you have the ability to collaborate and bounce ideas off of one another. I will just simply draw something in my mind even if it is just a very simple drawing. This often leads to more innovative and dynamic solutions than you could achieve working alone.

A team brings together people from different backgrounds and experiences, which allows for a more diverse range of perspectives and ideas. Ultimately, the importance of teamwork for a director cannot be overstated. It's not just about leading a team, but about fostering a sense of community and collaboration that allows everyone to bring their best work to the table. By valuing your team and working together to achieve your goals. ♡

Your current video project 「DIGITAL AFTERLIFE AGENCY, touches on the subject of life after death and technological dystopias. What inspired you to explore these topics?

☆ﾟExploring the subject of life after death and technological dystopias in my current video project, 「DIGITAL AFTERLIFE AGENCY」 was inspired by the true event when I was living in Shanghai during COVID-19. Everything was deeply connected to our phone and the QR code restricted which area you could go to or not. Well, I have to say, the past three years have been a rollercoaster of emotions for me. There were moments of anxiety and stress, especially when I was worried about my mom's situation getting worse (Cancer) or losing my opportunities. But I also tried to find ways to stay positive and keep my spirits up. I was desperate to get away from my anxiety by looking into my inner self and having a sense of clarity and purpose in life. I am an atheist and base my beliefs on scientific evidence and rational inquiry. I reject the concept of a higher power on philosophical or moral grounds. Religion is a complex and multifaceted topic that has been the subject of much discussion and debate throughout history. So, I came up with an idea for an organization for the hope which is called 「DIGITAL AFTERLIFE AGENCY」.

I start to explore the possible fictional world of the authority who takes control of all the data from citizens. They are just like slaves consumed by the authority to gain profit even when they die. (o^▽^o)
Ultimately, I wanted to explore these complex and thought-provoking topics through my video art and to challenge viewers to consider the implications of our ever-evolving relationship with technology and privacy. In the age of technology, how it challenges traditional notions of life, death, and existence. By exploring themes of life after death and technological dystopias, I hope to spark a conversation and encourage viewers to reflect on what kind of future we want to create for ourselves and for future generations.
(⭑•͈ 𓎟 •͈ )

In Digital Afterlife Agency, people can basically pursue their dream life after death. In a way, this is already happening while we are alive, with people being able to do this online and in the metaverse. As well as data extraction and companies taking advantage of this using it to control the population. Do you think your film can also be a depiction of our present?

♡ Yeah, it is also a depiction of our present for sure and this is the concept of 「DIGITAL AFTERLIFE AGENCY」below.「DIGITAL AFTERLIFE AGENCY」 is an organization to assist clients to extend their lives in virtual reality after their death. All the applicants need to sign the agreement with 「DIGITAL AFTERLIFE AGENCY」to allow them to access your social media, emails, photos on your phone, and any digital trace on the internet. SAM (Simulated Adaptive Matrix) is an AI created by Chris Redfield that will collect all your data within 24 hours. SAM will learn from it to create an afterlife report and it allows you to choose your life again to fulfill your regret or to pursue your dream perpetually.

Dr. Alexander Roland Isaacs is the researcher and creator of the Digital Afterlife Project in SHIYA ENTERPRISE. The story is told by Dr. Alexander as Codename Prototype0101 after his car accident. He does record his Scientific Video Journal every day to document the process of the project and daily life. This is the first audio recording to tell us what happened exactly that night after his accident. This is a wake-up call to all the members who devote their lives to this company. 。.:☆*:·'(*⌒―⌒*)))

★ This DAA (Digital Afterlife Agency) program is developed for military purposes, allowing the soldiers and their families to start a new life eternally thanks for your selfless dedication. We can’t choose our sexuality, race, and parents when we are alive, but we still have a second chance to live in the afterlife and obey our free will. Immortality is a long-standing issue from religion, mythology, and future technology. It is also the reason SHIYA ENTERPRISE invested a lot of time and funding into this project. It is a digital family tree that allows scientists and researchers to study afterlife sociology. However, Dr. Alexander found out about the conspiracy of DAA (Digital Afterlife Agency) and tried to resign as the creator of SHIYA ENTERPRISE.

Where are you currently exhibiting your work?

In Osaka, Japan. 「DIGITAL AFTERLIFE AGENCY」 might be part of the Sónar Festival program in Barcelona this summer. It is the 30th anniversary of the Sónar Festival and should be really sick.٩(✪ꀾ⍟༶)و

Is this exploration of critical themes, such as companies taking people's data and dystopian narratives, reflect the way you view the world? Do you think that is the direction we are leaning towards?

There is a cyber afterlife business in Taiwan that allows you to send funerals, and paper handcraft so-called “Hell Money”. You could purchase a luxury apartment, the latest iPhone, and even followers for a loved one in the afterlife. I was inspired by this Taiwanese tradition and want to bring this idea further to the cyber afterlife. Population aging is increasingly becoming a social issue in many other countries including Taiwan.
Personally, I don’t want to waste social resources if I am old and so overwhelmed with sickness. This is where Digital Afterlife Agency comes from to propose personalizing euthanasia experiences and offer cyber afterlife options with a professional team. They are like a manager to customize your lifestyle in the cyber afterlife as a VIP if you join our “DAA Elite”.

★ You could have unlimited access to our services without waiting. “The digital afterlife economy closes the gap between the haves and have-nots.”
★ Join now to get your 30% discount. ★ ♡҉٩(*´︶`*)۶҉
★ Many people today are increasingly aware of the potential negative effects of technology on society, and these concerns are reflected in the themes explored in the 「DIGITAL AFTERLIFE AGENCY」 project. While it's difficult to predict the exact direction that society will take in the future, it's clear that technology will continue to play an increasingly important role in our lives, and it's important that we remain aware of its potential impacts, both positive and negative.

What was the aesthetic inspiration behind the style of the film? How was the production process?

ヾI was deeply influenced by the tutor Anthony Duane & Fiona Raby from the Royal College of Art when I was studying in London. Video is a medium for me to pose a question with Design Fiction, Critical Design, and Speculative Design. I wrapped up a video game project at the end of last year as creative director. It is my first time working in the game industry and I would like to explore the possibility of the game and unreal engine. Such as an immersive experience to meet your cyber afterlife loved one. I try to cooperate with video games to recreate my vision of the cyber afterlife.

An immersive game experience for the audience to blur the boundaries of reality and fiction. The endless propaganda by corporations and the government on the street and all over the news is just like the life we live now full of consumerism. I collaborated with the Japanese experimental metal band called VMO to compose the music for 「DIGITAL AFTERLIFE AGENCY. Special thanks to English producer Alex Johnston as sound designer for combining music and dialogue to create a complete and cohesive audio experience. ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ

We can see video game-like visuals. Is this stylistic decision linked to the fact that in this afterlife humans are also playing characters choosing their life, like in a video game?

)ミ☆Yes, the video game-like visuals in 「DIGITAL AFTERLIFE AGENCY」are a deliberate stylistic choice that is linked to the project's exploration of the idea of humans playing characters in a digital afterlife. Using video game aesthetics and interactive elements, the project seeks to create an immersive and engaging experience that simulates the feeling of entering a virtual world. This is meant to reflect the idea that in a digital afterlife, humans may be able to assume different identities and play different roles, much like in a video game.

At the same time, the use of video game-like visuals also serves to create a sense of detachment and otherworldliness that is meant to reflect the project's exploration of technological dystopias and the potential dangers of a world that is increasingly reliant on digital technologies. Overall, the stylistic decision to use video game-like visuals is an integral part of the project's exploration of the complex and multifaceted issues surrounding the idea of a 「「DIGITAL AFTERLIFE AGENCY」, and is meant to create a thought-provoking and visually striking experience for viewers. . (ᵒ̤̑ ₀̑ ᵒ̤̑) ✰

Did you use AI in any stage of the production of the film?

꙳⸌☆⸍꙳ I co-write the suicide note with ChatGPT and use AI to generate the kid voice for the main character. Your voice will not be the same as your age when you die and that’s why his voice is a child’s. lıllılı.ıllı.ılılıı

Are you planning on making part two? Maybe expanding the story of Digital Afterlife Agency?

⭒*.✩.*⭒This sounds really fun and I would love to expand the story for sure.
（´○｀）～ゝ

What do you hope people take away from your project?

As a visual artist, my hope for the 「DIGITAL AFTERLIFE AGENCY」project is to encourage people to reflect on the ways in which technology is changing the way we live and die. Through this project, I hope to raise awareness about the growing role of technology in our lives and inspire viewers to consider the ethical and philosophical implications of this trend. I believe that the Digital Afterlife Agency is a provocative and imaginative exploration of what it means to be human in the age of technology, and my hope is that it will spark conversation and dialogue about these important issues.

Ultimately, I hope that viewers will be inspired to think critically about the ways in which technology is shaping our lives and to consider the impact that our digital footprints will have on our legacies after we are gone. By encouraging reflection and dialogue, I believe that this project has the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the ongoing conversation about the role of technology in society. {•••♥˚₊*(ˊo̶̶̷̤ .̫ o̴̶̷̤ˋ)*₊˚

Are you working on any new exciting projects? What is coming up for you in the future?

Well, right now I'm working on a few different projects that I'm really excited about. I want to take a bit of time on it and keep it pure. So, let’s see how it goes in the end. (≧▽≦)/