Life & Work with Jacqueline Chan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Chan.

Hi Jacqueline, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a filmmaker, cinematographer, born and raised in San Francisco and based in Los Angeles. I’d say my journey into filmmaking started rather late. I entered undergrad on a pre-med track with the full intention of fulfilling my Cristina Yang fantasy of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon. (I had a huge Grey’s Anatomy phase in high school). By chance, I had enrolled in an introductory film class—taught by the phenomenal Michael Trigilio—to fulfill a General Ed requirement, and by the end of the class, I had switched my major to Visual Arts. From then on, my interest in film and filmmaking flourished, although not in the most conventional sense. My eyes were open to beyond the “classics” to the French New Wave and arthouse films from all around the world. And most importantly, I was introduced to films from Hong Kong. For the first time, I never knew I could be so proud of my family’s cultural background. From then on, I knew that I wanted to create images that my community and I can be proud of.

After graduating from undergrad, I thought I wanted to be a director and enrolled in UCLA’s MFA Directing program. However, I soon realized that I missed the proximity to the images being created to the process when I was making and experimenting with my tiny projects in undergrad. While I eventually graduated with an MFA in Directing, I quickly switched my focus to cinematography and began shooting classmates’ projects. At UCLA, I was incredibly fortunate to meet and work with so many wonderful and diverse filmmakers; filmmakers who are unapologetic in their unique voice. It’s been a privilege to be in their cohort and be a sort of conduit for their vision. It was a glimpse of what the industry could and hopefully will be.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Growing up, I was never proud to be Asian-American. So much of that has changed. Yet, I’m still trying to find my place as a female Asian-American cinematographer in this industry. I’m 5’1”, petite, and look like I’m still in high school. Besides worrying about my abilities being doubted on set, I’m also constantly combatting my nagging self-criticism and self-doubt. I know, not an unfamiliar struggle for creatives. However, I am incredibly lucky to have found friends and collaborators that keep me in check. I’m also still trying to balance and navigate a career while always being dedicated to the integrity of the image. Not in an aesthetic sense but more like in an ethical sense. There’s so much content these days. But not everything has a positive impact on the community. I’m still working on how to decipher that.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m focusing on being a narrative cinematographer, but I also often work as a 1st AC and colorist. I’m most proud of the projects I have been able to be a collaborator as a cinematographer. A majority of which are about and lead by BIPOC filmmakers. That I can be a part of such rich stories is truly humbling. I hope that I can continue to lend my skills to fellow BIPOC storytellers to create emotionally compelling and universally resonant stories.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory takes place on one Christmas morning. Most of my family members are gathered around our tree, waiting for my grandmother to come out before we unwrap our presents. My grandmother, wearing a familiar-looking wrap, comes out saying in Cantonese “Look! How pretty this is! It even velcros!” It isn’t until she comes closer that we notice the same Disney cartoon characters as seen on the Christmas tree skirt underneath our presents. She was wearing the Christmas tree skirt as a shawl!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jacquelinechandp.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackie.undertheinfluence/