April Peng shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning April, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I’ve recently picked up salsa as a hobby that has absolutely changed my life! There is something about the music, the spinning and the atmosphere of it all that makes me reconnect with my inner child. Especially as a writer, I am often locked in my room all day tap tap tapping away on my laptop, so it had been wonderful getting out and moving my body. I highly recommend!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a writer and consultant. I have a consultancy where I help aspiring students workshop their personal statements and portfolio samples in order get into their dream school. This has been a huge passion of mine as I love getting to know each client and helping them craft their story. Each and every one of us is unique and we are all bursting with life stories, but sometimes it is hard to see our own. My job is to help you tell your story in the strongest way possible to guarantee your highest chances of applicant success. I have worked with clients applying to the top film schools, AFI, USC, NYU as well as top dental schools. If you’re interested, check out my website for more info.
On the writing side, I take on projects for companies in film/tv and the digital space. I am also currently working on a novel. Words are my weapon of choice, so to speak.
What makes me unique is that I have lived three lives in three different countries. China, UK and USA. I have met people from all walks of life and have an in depth understanding of the human experience. So much of screenwriting is about encapsulating a moment in time – reflecting the culture and those who exist within the culture. I love to write authentic stories about spunky Asian women who, much like myself, are fighting for their place in the world.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a pretty shy kid. As an only child I was often left to play by myself and would fill up the time by talking out loud to myself and acting out stories. I would also often lock myself away in my room for weeks reading or editing videos. Nowadays I identify as nothing short of an extrovert. I see the importance to first experience life, before I can then write about it.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I started writing about it. Everything that I have ever been ashamed of growing up has turned into art in some way. My unique life experience have often left me feeling incredibly lonely, but now it makes me employable and makes my stories special. I am currently writing a novel about the greatest loves of my twenties, documenting every heart flutter and heartbreak I have endured for the same reason. My pain has not been in vain.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
That your dream job will fix everything. Life is hard. It is important to build long lasting foundations in every aspect. Career is just one part of the pie, it will not sustain you forever. I used to put very little value in hobbies, community and even the idea of having a family but now that has all changed. Those are all equally, if not more, important.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
My AFI graduation thesis got into Tribeca and I attended the film festival expecting to feel fulfilled as a filmmaker, but I wasn’t. I took a few days off work and flew across the country expecting it to be one of the most significant moments in my career. Don’t get me wrong, it was wonderful to meet other filmmakers and see their beautiful creations, the staff and people were all lovely but I realised in that moment that getting awards and recognition for your work, amazing as it all is, isn’t nearly as special as the process of creating it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aprilpeng.com
- Instagram: aprilpeng_screenwriter
