Rising Stars: Meet Chris Hung of West Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Hung.

Hi Chris, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey as an artist began long before I started working in Hollywood. I was born in Hong Kong and moved to New York with my family when I was 10 years old. Growing up, I was always fascinated by art, animation, movies, and cars here in America. I never imagined that these interests would eventually come together and shape my career.

At 22, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my passion for digital art and animation. Over the years, I had the opportunity to work on some incredible projects and collaborate with many talented artists from around the world.

I’ve spent nearly two decades at Sony Pictures Imageworks, working as a digital artist and lighting supervisor on major Hollywood productions, including Spider-Man: Into/Across the Spider-Verse, Marvel Universe like the Spider-Man Franchise, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, and the latest award-winning piece, KPop Demon Hunters.

Working in the film industry has taught me so much about storytelling, technology, and the importance of collaboration. But I’ve always wanted to create something of my own.

That dream eventually became The DRIVER, an original animated comic series inspired by my love for automotive culture and Japanese manga. By combining cinematic animation and augmented reality technology, I wanted to create an experience where readers could watch the illustrations come alive through their smartphones.

Building The DRIVER has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. Unlike working on a major Hollywood production, creating something independently means being involved in almost every aspect of the process, from storytelling and artwork to production, manufacturing, marketing, and business development.

Along the way, I also founded Ani Art Studios, with the vision of bringing traditional and digital art together through animation, technology, and collectible experiences.

More recently, I’ve been developing a new collaboration with Horacio Pagani called Pagani × Hung – The Living Art. The project combines traditional oil painting with cinematic digital animation, inspired by the philosophy that Art and Science are one.

After spending so many years creating digital images, I wanted to return to traditional painting while bringing everything I’ve learned from technology and filmmaking along with me. To me, innovation shouldn’t replace traditional art. It should help carry it forward.

Looking back, my journey has never followed a straight path. I’ve experienced challenges, setbacks, and moments of uncertainty, but I’ve always believed in continuing to learn and moving forward.

Today, I’m grateful to be able to work on projects I’m passionate about, meet inspiring people, and share my creativity with others.

As an artist, I hope to continue creating meaningful work that connects people through art, storytelling, and technology.

My philosophy is simple: We Drive Art Forward.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of my biggest challenges was turning The DRIVER from an idea into something real.

My original dream was to bring The DRIVER to life as an animated movie or television series. I spent years knocking on doors, pitching the concept, and trying to find the right opportunities in the entertainment industry. Unfortunately, nothing ever materialized. It was frustrating, especially after putting so much time and passion into something I truly believed in.

But I never gave up. Instead of waiting for someone else to give me an opportunity, I started looking for a different way to tell my story without sacrificing my original vision.

That’s when I began exploring how art and technology could work together. By combining traditional comic book storytelling with cinematic animation and augmented reality, I found a way to bring The DRIVER to life independently, allowing readers to experience the story in a completely different way.

In 2020, we successfully launched our first crowdfunding campaign, which became a major turning point for the project. It proved that there was an audience who believed in what we were creating and gave us the confidence to keep moving forward.

Today, The DRIVER continues to grow beyond the original comic series. We’re expanding its universe through new stories, animated content, collectibles, and collaborations with brands in the automotive industry.

Looking back, I’m actually grateful that things didn’t happen the way I originally planned. Those challenges pushed me to think differently and discover a creative direction I might never have explored otherwise.

Sometimes, when one door doesn’t open, you have to build your own.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I consider myself both an artist and a storyteller, but I’ve always been fascinated by the creative process beyond the artwork itself. I enjoy exploring how an idea can evolve into something people can see, touch, collect, and experience.

One of my greatest strengths is understanding both the creative and technical sides of production. Throughout my career in Hollywood, I’ve contributed to the color and lighting of award-winning productions such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and KPop Demon Hunters. Most recently, I’ve taken on the role of Cinematography Lighting Supervisor for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. These experiences have strengthened my understanding of visual storytelling, cinematography, and the importance of every detail in creating a compelling image.

I’m particularly passionate about automotive and its culture. To me, cars are much more than machines. They represent art, engineering, personal expression, and the emotions we experience through motion. This passion has allowed me to connect with talented designers, manufacturers, and creators from different parts of the world.

What I’m most proud of isn’t necessarily a particular film or project, but the relationships I’ve built throughout my journey. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside extraordinary people, learn from their experiences, and develop friendships that go far beyond business.

I think what sets me apart is my curiosity and willingness to explore unfamiliar territory. I’m not afraid to learn something new, experiment with different creative approaches, or challenge myself outside my comfort zone. I enjoy connecting ideas from different industries and finding opportunities where they might come together.

At the end of the day, I don’t want to limit myself to being known for one particular skill or profession. I want to continue growing as an artist, creating meaningful experiences, and hopefully inspiring others to pursue their own ideas.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice to anyone starting out is to stay curious, keep learning, and never stop creating. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or take a different path from what you originally planned. Sometimes the unexpected opportunities turn out to be the most rewarding ones.

One thing I wish I had understood earlier is that talent alone isn’t enough. Hard work, patience, consistency, and the relationships you build along the way are just as important. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, learn from those with more experience, and always be willing to share what you’ve learned with others.

I also believe it’s important to develop your own creative identity. It’s easy to follow trends, especially with how quickly technology is changing today. But technology is just a tool. What makes your work special is your imagination, your experiences, and the personal perspective you bring to it.

Most importantly, don’t wait for everything to be perfect before getting started. I’ve spent years learning that sometimes you have to create your own opportunities rather than waiting for someone to give you one.

Success doesn’t always happen the way you expect, and it rarely happens overnight. Stay passionate about what you do, be patient with yourself, and enjoy the journey.

Keep moving forward, but never forget what inspired you to begin.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thedriver.com
• Instagram: thisisthedriver
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisisthedriver
• Twitter: thisisthedriver
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thisisthedriver