Today we’d like to introduce you to Neptune Lee.
Hi Neptune, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
So I’m going to start this off by saying that I’m a bit of a late bloomer and a perpetual, incorrigable dabbler. Looking back, I kind of laugh at myself because somehow I never saw myself as an artist or having a creative career, even though the majority of my hobbies and interests growing up were art-related. I was usually more concerned with sports or just hanging out with my friends.
It wasn’t until the middle of college when I first even considered doing something creative as a career. I had done photography on and off as a hobby since taking film classes as a kid and decided to take up an internship at a music and entertainment label, InRage Entertainment, as their artist, photographer, and editor. They were a small company, so they let me have a lot of creative responsibility in terms of art directing shoots and doing what I wanted with the edits. This opened my eyes to the avenues of my creativity. I started doing more photoshoots, which led to editing, which led to video editing, which led to graphic design somehow. In my 3rd year, I eventually decided to major in film. After changing my mind about my major about 15 times, lol.
When I left school, I was still kind of lost. I knew I wanted to do something that was interesting and not routine, but I struggled to commit to anything. I’ve been out of school for about four years, and I have only recently chosen a somewhat specific path. In that time, I’ve been a photographer, a video editor, a writer, a graphic designer, an art director, a cinematographer, a director, and I’ll hopefully get the chance to be more! The thing about being a creative is that it’s all about doing it. Even if it comes out ugly, even if you don’t have all the resources you want, you just have to make it, and if it sucks, make it again. I got to where I am today by just being open to projects and talking shop at events, and following my interests wherever they take me.
At the moment I’m following photography, editing, and art direction pretty closely, but who knows!
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?
My absolute biggest challenge has been 1. Myself because I’m a noncommittal dabbler with no common sense (that sounds harsh but it’s true!) and 2. The internship system. I have a lot of beef with the internship system because … not everyone that wants to work in film, photography, and art is still in school or can even afford it. Not everyone has a car! That’s a big one. I wanted to be a production designer without a license …. Which is why I’m kind of hard on myself in terms of common sense; because sure, I wasn’t 100% sure I wanted to commit to film, but I didn’t really do enough research on the industry to set myself up for success. So, I would say do your research on career paths, not that you have to follow them, but to just have the knowledge for your next steps.
Although it’s definitely been a struggle finding solid work in the freelance space, I wouldn’t knock the path I’ve been on. I found my own ways around the system by finding cool projects online and creating my own, growing out of my shell and building a network, and sharpening my skills in my free time. Don’t get me wrong, I get frustrated as hell as a freelancer in a turbulent industry, but it’s taught me a lot about independence and problem-solving.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My Instagram bio says I’m a photographer and art director. I do other things, but that’s the gist of it for now. If I were to briefly describe my style, it would be punk??? But also cinematic??? Honestly, I don’t know. There’s a lot of color and wide angle lenses, and dreamy vibes. I mostly do my photography for myself and my friends, but from time to time I’ll shoot an album cover or promo for a musician! Despite photography probably being what I’m most skilled at, I am vehemently saving it as a hobby. There’s just some art I want to keep for myself!
On the professional side, I do art direction and editing for music videos and short films. I’m crossing my fingers for a feature one day! I love creating rooms and living-in spaces. Things with detail and life and color. My favorite work was when I art directed for my friend Jess Peeters. We designed and set up a bunch of rooms in a Buddhist monastery, and I was able to bring a bunch of my family’s china to set. It was one of my favorite visuals I’ve created.
I don’t really like to say what’s unique about me because I feel like so much of art and creativity is inspired by others. We’re ultimately just an amalgamation of ideas and special interests. What I will say is that I feel that my palettes are bold because of the colors of the 90s, my sets are detailed because I grew up in maximalist homes, and my concepts are wild because I dream every night.
Any big plans?
My plan for the future is one word: focus! I have a terrible habit of taking on too many projects and having too many ideas to the point that nothing gets done because I’m too busy. I’ve decided to focus on photography, art direction, and editing. I’ve decided to focus on getting some sort of stability going despite my desire to work as a production crew member (wish me luck). I’ve decided to focus on committing to myself and my work.
Hopefully what that looks like is me getting some of these short films I’ve written produced and made at some point this year, as well as strengthening my creative concepts and finding ways to bring them to life.
The biggest change in my life recently is the fact that I’ve gotten my license so I’m crossing my fingers that that’ll open some more doors in terms of set work or actual adult jobs haha.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://neptunearthouse.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neptunearthouse/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCekguQKwyOwBKKbFuc4ft6g
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@neptunearthouse?lang=en
Image Credits
Rocky Avalos (model, styling), Charlie Capp (model, styling), Candex Seokyi Louie (model, styling), Rain Rykiel Bernal (model, styling), Violet (model), Liezel Dignos (model, styling)
