Life & Work with Liang-Chun Lin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Liang-Chun Lin. 

Hi Liang-Chun, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Starting 2013, I worked as a TV/Film script supervisor and assistant director in Taiwan and sometimes China. As much as I enjoyed it, my desire of being creative drove me to California in 2018 for the graduate school of film production in Chapman University. During the school years, I met the most talented working partners and learned from the very inspiring professors. I found my passion in genre films and further improved myself professionally as an assistant directors. 

After earning my MFA in 2021, I was accepted into the DGA AD trainee program and now looking forward to learn from the best ADs in this industry, while developing my own feature films, GRANDMA’S BIKINI as well as WHO KILLS THE WATERMELON. 

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?
I had a really rough time during 2016-2017. Working 16-18 hours every day and the stressful environment had burnt me out. I lost my passion and felt the need to step away from the industry. I took about 6 months to reconsider my career, but only to find out how hard it is for me to abandon my passion in TV and film. After settling this internal battle, I am now more determined than ever to keep going. Hoping not just to improve myself, but also help change the industry, I moved to California to learn the union system and find a work-life balanced. I am looking forward to sharpen my leadership and share all I learn with my fellow Taiwanese filmmakers. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Having directed more than 10 short films, I am now confident in my ability of developing characters and finding a clear perspective for each story or scene. I like to re-examine all my decisions as a director and make sure I present my character to the most intimate level, from cinematography, sound design, set design to every single line on my script. 

This practice can be seen in my latest short films: A DIRE STRAIT, a thriller short based on the Chinese postpartum tradition and STILL ROLLING, a reflection on my career struggle in my rookie years. A Dire Strait just recently won The Grand Jury Award from Dances With Film festival 2022, and Still Rolling was shown in multiple major Asian film festivals across the U.S. during 2021-2022. Most of my works explores the identity issues of Asian women as well as people boundaries. Whenever suitable, I also try to blend a comedic tone into all my works, whether it’s horror or thriller, or heavy drama. The best absurdity comes from the nature of characters. 

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
This might sound ridiculous, but I really like this city being packed with filmmakers and artists. I found a lot of joy and excitement being surrounded by like-minded people and knowing we are going through very similar journey in our lives. It took me a while to get used to seeing Final Draft and Movie Magic everywhere in the coffee shop and hearing every other table talking about filmmaking or pitching ideas, but it just feels amazing when filmmaking becomes the most ordinary occupation in town and no longer triggers a thousand questions. I LOVE having the same job as everybody! And whenever you meet someone in the same industry, you can further chat on what departments and what type of creative they do, what are they working on lately. Isn’t that beautiful???

My least favorite thing about this city is probably same as many others: TRAFFIC! 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.liangchunlin.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liangchun8066/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonia8066
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LiangLin8066

Image Credits
Meng-Ting Lee
Suno Chen
Davis Chang