Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Chiu.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2002, I left the music industry and had no idea what else I wanted to do. I ended up getting a job at Trader Joe’s. After 8 months of working there, an agent approached me to come audition for a role. Having no idea what to expect I went in to audition for Young and the Restless and ended up booking it. And it kept going. My first few years of acting were so insanely unbelievable.
To be honest, I had no desire to be an actor. I know. Everyone reading this is going to hate me. But for every peak, there’s a valley. After an initial good run, I encountered years of struggling, mixing with the wrong crowds, losing myself, etc.
I was trying to find my ground. One day, my mentor approached me and told me to get my act together. Being compassionately strict, he suggested I add another layer of experience and venture into producing and writing. Since I’ve had experience as a music producer it came naturally.
For the next several years I found myself in interesting projects and situations. Good and bad. But it didn’t matter. I knew I had to get my feet wet. Gaining experience in running a film set was what that gave me. But I knew I had more to learn. I just didn’t know where to look and was tired.
So in 2015, I had it. Struggling with my own ego issues, feeling jaded, and not caring for my health I decided to take a hiatus from the industry. Really it was to leave it completely.
For the next few years, again I was trying to find what I wanted to do next in life. I tried everything. I ended up working gig economy jobs and hated it. I was at a dead end.
In 2018, my wife and I welcomed a baby boy. What a shift in my life that created. I finally found my purpose in my life. But I still needed a direction for work. At the end of 2018, I felt the need to be back in entertainment.
I booked my first role in January 2019 on a series called S.W.A.T. On set, I was reminded of everything I loved about this industry. Later that year, I began producing again but still felt there was something missing.
In 2020, the pandemic hit and again I felt like everything was taken away. But, in reality, it gave me the opportunity to do some things I really wanted to do. Such as writing and directing. I wrote and directed 5 shorts that year. Also, I was able to connect with many other creatives on social media because we all had time now. I ended up connecting with two veteran producers that were able to mentor me during the pandemic. Finally finding the missing pieces.
In 2022, I launched my own production company called Films 325. We focus on supporting new filmmakers through a lens of diversity and a culture of empowerment developing and producing in an extremely caring manner. We also help finance projects that are fully packaged.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Well, mentioning in the storyline above there were many obstacles and struggles.
Most of them were just me getting in the way.
My process has been to learn to let go and be in the present while learning to be kind and compassionate no matter who it might be.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Films 325 was founded upon the freedom and creativity I experienced during the pandemic. It felt like I was a kid again. I was able to just sit down and create. Having no pressures and just being able to let go.
This company is an extension of that.
The number 325 is a special number I’ve had in my heart that reminds me of my childhood. If you look at our logo it hopefully expresses that.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love LA.
Period.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Films325.com
- Instagram: @heyrichardchiu
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Films325
- Twitter: @richardchiu
