Today we’d like to introduce you to Chueh-Hui Huang.
Hi Chueh-Hui, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a film editor based in Los Angeles, originally from Taipei, Taiwan. I graduated from the University of Southern California Film and TV Production MFA program and have traveled across the world to create films.
Before coming to Los Angeles, I spent years working in commercial production. However, my passion for narrative storytelling eventually led me down a new path. During my time at USC, I discovered a deep affinity for the art of editing. I found immense joy in the creative process of shaping emotions and scenes using visual elements and sound. Since then, I’ve edited a wide range of projects, including narrative films, documentaries, music videos, and animations, each presenting unique creative challenges and opportunities.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My career path has been anything but straightforward. It’s been seven years since I shifted from my undergraduate economics major, navigating through various roles and cultural shifts in the filmmaking industry. All the hard work has been aimed at reaching Hollywood and mastering professional film and television filmmaking.
One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the cultural differences and understanding the film business since moving to Los Angeles. Thankfully, over the past three years, as I’ve taken courses, made more films, and engaged with fellow filmmakers, I’ve gained valuable experience. Now, not only am I fluent in the language of the film industry, but I also bring a fresh perspective as a Taiwanese filmmaker, not solely influenced by American experiences.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a film editor, especially working on films that contain cultural inclusion and authentic representation. I would make sure I’m collaborating with a team that cares and puts in as much effort as they can to make this happen. During the editing process, my inquisitive nature drives me to continually seek out knowledge and resources until I find a suitable angle to depict the story. I’m not afraid of thinking outside of the box, asking questions from different perspectives, and brainstorming the best creative solutions with the team. I never become complacent with my work and am always open to discussion or improvement.
Furthermore, I maintain a strong connection with my intuition and inner emotions. I draw upon my personal life experiences to connect with the story and its characters, helping me discern the subtext of each scene and determine the appropriate editing style and pacing throughout the film.
I’m currently working on a feature film called The Boy Named Stone, depicting a young Yi ethnic artist who lives and paints in an abandoned factory in Chengdu, China. The artist’s situation became extremely difficult when the Pandemic hit, and the government tried to take back the now-famous factory covered in large-scale paintings. It was a fascinating experience to learn about the world of Yi people, their culture, their lifestyle, and their worldview. While editing, I paid detailed attention to the characters’ gestures when they speak, the emotions they express, and the environments they are surrounded by. Once I’m in the character’s shoes, the universally shared human emotions and relationships are the stories that I’m searching for and shaping.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I love surf skating in my free time. I enjoy the speed and the liberating feeling on the board. Recently, I started skating on the pump track. It’s a whole new challenge to control my body balance and rhythm. I have wounds and bruises all over my body, but I could skate further after I fell each time. It’s all worth it!
I also love acrylic painting, photography, hiking, exploring new restaurants, cooking, traveling, and going to museums or galleries.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://andreahuangfilm.wixsite.com/chuehhui
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chueh-hui-huang-film/
- Instagram: @andreamerxlife
