Conversations with Ana Peralta Chong

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Peralta Chong.

Hi Ana, 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?
I’m originally from cd. Obregon, Sonora. I immigrated to Phoenix, Arizona when I was five and I remember learning how to speak English through cinema. My family also learned how to culturally adapt by watching movies. Going to Blockbuster and Hollywood Video was a tradition I cherished as a kid.

When I was in high school in Arizona, I competed in film. I traveled to Florida, California, and I even won an honorable mention from the White House film festival in 2015. I was offered a trip to Costa Rica to film a commercial, but due to my immigration status I could not go.

Graduating high school was one of the scariest moments of my life because in Arizona DACA (Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals) recipients didn’t get in state tuition and I didn’t qualify for internal scholarships country-wide. Since school was not an option, I moved to LA and interned at a record label.

I started shooting and editing videos for local artists in L.A. and then started producing and directing for independent artists. That led me to start my own production company called ‘moremilieu’ and through it, I have built a small network of creatives. Building a portfolio, I started emailing and reaching out to video commissioners to try and land a video with a budget. Dirty Hit gave me an amazing opportunity and I have directed + produced five videos for them through my production company. I then landed a video through MotherWolf.

I have only been directing and producing for a year, I am only 24 years old. Every day I am thankful that I’ve built a foundation to explore this and pursue it. I want to find my flavor as a director and latch onto what elements in my videos make me different. My dream is to win an Oscar, I know it sounds ridiculous but I have to. I already have a dress, and I envision it so clearly in my head. It’s going to take a long time and I’ll have to continue to perfect my craft, but I know I have a lot to say and tell. My story is very unique and feels as though my existence is going to waste if I do not tell it correctly through cinema.

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?
There have been MULTIPLE struggles. Biggest is the immigration system in the United States and having to find a balance of being a creative with the circumstance I’m under. A struggle is having to work ten times harder than the average American only to get half of the result and move at half the pace.

Also being a woman of course. Not as heavy as the first, but in this industry women are not taken into consideration enough. I remember there was a guy I was excited to work with and he left me hanging outside of his house and ditched the project when I went over to plan it out. Later that week, I found out he had other intentions. I don’t think men have to deal with these types of situations as much.

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 a female director.

I’m most proud of my art directing and being able to build a world or theme from scratch. I love combining colors and love how a good color palette in a video makes me feel. I value that I’m influenced by visuals that are experimental and twist them into my own traditional take.

Also, I specialize in people. Weird thing to say – but realistically that’s the key to success. Being willing to understand people and know how to treat and communicate with them.

I’m proud to be married to my amazing husband Jakob Dybdahl.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Everyone is important. Regardless of where they are from, what they do, what they look like. Life is easier when you make everyone feel important and you only do that by believing they are.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.anaperaltachong.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anaperaltachong/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/moremilieu/