Check Out Zhaoyi “Jeff” Chen’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zhaoyi “Jeff” Chen.

Hi Zhaoyi “Jeff”, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am originated from mainland China, northern side of it. I spent my first 18 yrs in mainland China going through its education system. After finishing the college entrance examination, I received an offer from the School of Communication at Hong Kong Baptist University. I love film. During my long and exhausting 18 years of Asian-style schooling, I still found time to write a paper about cinema and even made a humorous short film about Pepsi with friends. My parents did not oppose my decision, so I accepted the offer and declined the others.

From 2017 to 2024, I studied and worked in Hong Kong. I went through many different experiences—moments of joy, highlights, and low points. I witnessed the diversity of society, and my thoughts became more mature and rational. I learned to look at issues from different perspectives, but paradoxically, this also made me feel more lonely. Most people tend to embrace only those similar to themselves and exclude people in a broader sense; the distance between people is at once so near and yet so far.

I tried different industries and endured many setbacks. Many of my classmates gave up on this field, but I still hope to continue in the film industry, because the world needs good, rational voices, and even more so, high-quality, meaningful works to counteract the brainrot content that negatively influences people. Therefore, after working for two years, I still decided to apply for graduate study in the United States—and I was fortunate enough to come to Chapman.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
After I enrolled at HKBU, things were far from smooth. My first year was filled with odd experiences, especially with some eccentric roommates, though I still had a lot of fun that year. My second year turned out to be one of the best years of my life so far. Then came the third year, when I lived through the 2019 Hong Kong protests. I’m not here to blame anyone, and it’s not something I can talk about too much either, but the protests suspended our first semester starting October 2019. After just one week into the second semester, COVID hit.

That semester was supposed to be the highlight of my studies—I had enrolled in all of my favorite classes: Advanced Cinematography, Screen Acting, Art Directing, and TV Production. It was devastating when I was informed that all of these would now be taught online. How can anyone truly learn cinematography by looking at slides at home, 3,000 kilometers away from school? Out of frustration, I chose not to attend most online sessions and instead threw myself into different internships. Getting good grades was easy back then since grading standards had become so loose, but I couldn’t see the point.

I was constantly at odds—with my family, with my school, and even with myself. In the end, I couldn’t graduate in my fourth year because I failed to complete my thesis project, partly due to COVID lockdowns and partly because I was not in a good mental state. Luckily, I had some amazing friends who helped me push through and finally finish the project in my fifth year.

But even then, challenges never stopped coming. Two weeks before shooting, sudden lockdowns in Beijing and Shanghai prevented my camera and lighting crew, as well as my lead actor, from reaching the city we had planned to shoot in. I spent three hours every day coaching my lead actor (also a close friend) to immerse him in the character, right up until the lockdown policy was announced. Against all odds, we still made it happen. I was incredibly proud of my friends and the work we pulled off, but I wasn’t satisfied. The short film could have been ten times better than what we ended up with.

After that, I couldn’t bear staying there any longer, so I decided to work in Hong Kong. I tried everything—photographer, freelance editor/videographer, assistant cameraman, even insurance agent. I learnt Cantonese, I was much more immersed in the local culture, I made some money, but I also made painful mistakes. Once, our drone was shot down, and we had to pay the client $5,000. Yet through all of this, I realized something important: I still wanted to be a creator. I still loved film. Even if this pursuit was what had led me into hardship, I couldn’t abandon it.

So, in my spare time, I began studying English and prepared for the TOEFL exam. The pressure was overwhelming, both from my parents and from my own heart—I couldn’t afford another failure. This pressure deepened my depression. Although I was eventually admitted to graduate school, I hadn’t truly recovered. I was grateful for everything I was born with, but I also resented the weight of the expectations they brought me.

Fortunately, I found a way out. I finally followed a friend’s advice: I sat down and had a heartfelt conversation with my parents, and another one with my close friends. Both ended in tears, but they untangled the knots in my heart. And so here I stand today—alive, intact, and with a heart that may be scarred, but is stronger than ever.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an intern right now at INE entertainment, and also a 2yr MFA Producing student at chapman dodge college. At my internship, I work as a development intern and I collect data, do researches and pitch decks to pitch my proposal and ideas around the topics set by our clients. I’m good at judging a script’s strengths and weaknesses and at pinpointing what’s missing and where the logic breaks down. I’m also skilled at proposing original ideas that break conventional thinking. What I’m proudest of is my ability to synthesize different concepts, my taste in screenplays/films/TV, my logical thinking, my passion, and my sincerity. I do things slow, but I made things perfect. I don’t like the way some people communicate here—I don’t do fake laughs, I won’t pretend to befriend someone—but if we do become friends, I’ll treat you with complete sincerity.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
When I was a child, I was introverted, cautious, observant, and had a certain degree of self-awareness. My long-time hobbies have been playing basketball, watching movies, and playing video games. My parents asked me to learn some other skills, but none of them ever became true hobbies.

I still remember the first 3D movie I watched in a cinema—Avatar. That film can be said to have sparked my love for cinema. I was deeply impressed and soon began devouring all kinds of science fiction movies, eventually watching nearly all of the highly rated ones. I’ve always been drawn to stories that are both grand in scope and delicate in detail.

Back in school, I also loved reading. I read a large number of science fiction works, including most of Isaac Asimov’s books and those of Iain Banks, as well as some classics. These days, however, I read far less, which I find regrettable.

I also enjoy traveling. I’ve been to parts of Europe, Asia, Australia, and the United States. My years of studying and living in Hong Kong, as well as my exchange experience in the Netherlands, gave me exposure to many different cultures. These experiences have made me more open-minded toward diversity.

That said, I still consider myself not very outgoing. I’m not a fan of small talk, and when it comes to topics I’m passionate about, I find it hard to stop talking. This is something I hope to improve about myself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcsoberin9t?igsh=ZWo4amE2aWthdXhq&utm_source=qr
• LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dodgejeffc