Today we’d like to introduce you to Po-En Wang.
Hi Po-En, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Emotions and feelings are something I have long been fascinated about but struggled to convey when interacting with people. Although wearing emotions on my sleeve is not a norm in my culture, a professor helped me break through this barrier. That is when I felt the power of visual storytelling for the first time. I learned that a tool combined with effective storytelling could express a person’s emotions. I then was at the point of no return…
During my junior year in college, I was fortunate to meet Professor Hsun-Chun Chuang, who taught me 3D Animation class. Through his class, I learned that humor is a healthy way to connect and arouse audiences. An assignment I did, entitled “True Color,” describes a soul-searching experience of a “reverse centaur” who struggles to understand who he is – a horse or a human. In fact, “who I am” is something I have long been searching for, and this question inspired this short film. In the end, the story unveils he is none of them but a bird. The surprising ending certainly earned a lot of laughter, but in the meantime, it also provoked a sense of belonging where one sees his value in life. From this assignment, I gained an understanding that a story can be told in many ways, and animation presented in a comic way could ensure effective and non-stop emotional connections with the audience.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My parents didn’t want me to become an artist; they wanted me to become an engineer, so I had to go behind their backs to do art. When they discovered I changed my major from architecture to animation, I had already been making art for half a year. We had such a huge fight. Ultimately, I didn’t change my path; they were mad at me for a while.
I continued to study animation and finished my thesis. When my parents finally saw my thesis work, they were convinced. They agreed that I have potential and supported me ever since.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a 3D Generalist with a specialty in animation. I do 3D Modeling, 3D Shading, Texturing, Rigging, and Animation. For animation, I do both Character Animation and Product Showcase Animation.
I love making characters come to life. My proudest work is my personal short film, “Hawaiian Pizza’s Revenge.” I produce every aspect of it except music. I think my whimsical and comedic style makes me different from others.
I like to design characters that look a bit dumb and funny. After designing and finishing the 3D models, I HAVE TO make them move because who wouldn’t want to see funny things actually come to life?
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I love diving into the world of cinema. When I was a kid, I was really shy; I didn’t like to go out because I had a hard time making friends. When my parents got me a Blockbuster membership, I found my paradise in the cinema. I always enjoyed watching films made by talented filmmakers. I felt like it was a language I understood and knew how to speak.
Pricing:
- $350/day
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thebrandonwang.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebrandonwang
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/thebrandonwang
Image Credits
Po-En Wang
