Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Hoang
Hi Jennifer, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi! I am a comedy writer-director based in Los Angeles. Although my own projects’ focus is on comedy, I also work as a Script Supervisor and Assistant Director for projects of all genres–sometimes it’s nice to switch things up and find inspiration in different spaces! In middle school, I was super drawn to acting, then quickly discovered that there’s a whole other world on the other side of the camera and began exploring. From directing my sister in our homemade music videos to making parodies with friends in our 8th grade English class, I always enjoyed getting to be creative with other people by my side. Although I experimented with writing more dramatic pieces in high school, I found my way back to creating comedic stories in college when I studied Film at Columbia University. There, I was lucky enough to have found such likeminded and talented collaborators and friends who helped me bring two silly ideas turned short films to life, and we had the time of our lives making them. After moving to LA last summer, I was at The CW network for a year working in Program Planning & Acquisitions and helped out on short film sets in my free time. Currently, I am working on a feature length screenplay and a couple short scripts, which I’m hoping to direct next year.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
If there was one response that I received the most when I told people I wanted to work in the film industry, it’d have to be “Wow, good luck, it’s not going to be easy.” All my industry peers would have to agree. It has definitely not been a smooth road, but I’m not sure if I ever wanted it to be because the bumps along the way have been my most educational moments. Creative struggles come in all forms, from having to create a shoot around a tiny budget to crew members dropping out last minute. This past year, the 2023 strikes left a lingering effect on the entire industry, making it extremely difficult to find creative work in LA, but it’s been amazing seeing how the community sticks together and helps each other keep our creative juices flowing.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a writer-director with a focus on comedy. Outside of my own projects, I work as a Script Supervisor and Assistant Director on short and feature-length films. In addition to the creative side of the industry, I have experience working on the corporate side, specifically in program planning, acquisitions, and development at places such as The CW Network, NBCUniversal, Big Beach Films, and Janet Yang Productions. These experiences have provided me with ample knowledge of the industry itself, which is immensely valuable as I now approach it as a creative. I have always been drawn to comedic stories that are sometimes philosophical, sometimes simply entertaining, and always personal. The specific experiences I’ve had as a Vietnamese writer-director, the unique point of view and storytelling voice I possess, I have not yet been able to find in the already existing stories. My goal is to be another source of relatability in the mix by creating memorable characters, images, and sounds.
How do you think about happiness?
I’m the happiest when I’m surrounded by creative minds and I get to consume or make art. Although my specialty is film and television, I love everything from music to theater and visual arts. It’s incredible seeing/hearing the products of our human imagination, and I love supporting my fellow creatives and their journeys, especially because I got to grow up in such an art-filled environment. Art is not only escapist, it’s also incredibly stirring.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jennnnhoang
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@goodquestionproductions
Image Credits
Grace Yoon, Lucy Chen, Anu Chaturvedi
