Today we’d like to introduce you to Simone Chen.
Simone, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I come from Chaozhou City in Guangdong Province, China. It’s a small and traditional city with a slow pace of life. People here speak Chaozhou dialect, and the neighborhood is friendly. If you chat with someone on the street, you might discover connections like their sister being classmates with your cousin. Strangers easily connect through shared acquaintances. The city is renowned in China for its delicious food, especially Chaozhou beef hot pot and preserved snacks. Though it’s an old-fashioned city where discussions about feminism and LGBTQ are rare, I still miss it. My hometown is a warm place.
Since childhood, I loved watching movies. I can’t recall my first movie, but I grew up with Harry Potter, and J.K. Rowling’s books and movies accompanied my entire childhood. In college, I got my first tattoo, the Deathly Hallows symbol. Back then, I explored a website called Funshion, where I found numerous movies—copyright status unknown, but they were complete, and that’s what mattered. The movie “A Clockwork Orange” opened my eyes to the vast possibilities of cinema. My middle school years were filled with guessing trains, “Requiem for a Dream,” “The Truman Show,” and listening to Radiohead, Nirvana, and Green Day. I thought I was the coolest kid in middle school.
I cherish a childhood friend with whom I shared the excitement of discovering cool movies and niche music. Even now, I appreciate Fengxing.com, where I discovered many classic films, influencing me significantly. Films subtly shaped me, but it never occurred to me that I could become a filmmaker until I considered changing my major in my final year of college. In graduate school, I studied film and TV.
I started taking photos with a camera in middle school, and my first camera was an Olympus, accompanied by a light-leaking film camera. Street photography became my passion, capturing everyday life and lovely moments. In Chaozhou and Guangzhou, I strolled with my camera, chatting with locals, occasionally taking candid shots. Writing this, memories of Chaozhou’s archway street shops flood my mind. Once, while shooting a handcraft store, the owner scolded me, thinking I was a clueless tourist. Later, I bought a Sony A7M2, delving into more portraits and street scenes. During my time at SCAD, I bought a Pentax K1000, igniting my interest in black-and-white film photography. Interestingly, I obtained another K1000 from an elderly couple in Forsyth Park, Savannah, after helping them with a photo.
I pursued my undergraduate degree in Journalism in Guangzhou, a big city. My initial dream was to become a news reporter, inspired by “The Newsroom” and the movie “Spotlight.” However, theoretical knowledge dominated my studies, and practical opportunities were scarce. My interest shifted towards film during my involvement in the Guangzhou Documentary Festival. Serving as a student ambassador, I promoted documentaries, translated for foreign filmmakers, and became a photographer. Despite the exhaustion, the experience was joyful and enlightening, sparking my desire to create films.
In my senior year, I began preparing to apply for foreign film graduate programs. I directed and produced my first script, “A Friend,” depicting the strained friendship between two high school boys due to bullying. The story drew inspiration from the end of my childhood friendship, a deep and impactful experience. Despite challenges during filming, the support of friends and alumni made it possible. The chaotic process forged strong bonds among us.
I also filmed a documentary about local bands in Chaozhou, featuring Six Jia Fan, a folk/rock band singing in Chaozhou dialect, and Extreme Day, a unique heavy metal band in the region. These projects remain unfinished, but they hold fond memories. Since then, I’ve been working as a producer, specializing in short films, narratives, music videos, and advertisements. I find joy in projects that touch people’s hearts, believing that a compelling story is the essence of filmmaking.
My role involves crew coordination, casting, fundraising, facilitating communication between departments and directors, ensuring smooth shoots, and overseeing post-production. Despite challenges, I enjoy the dynamic nature of on-set experiences. Recently, I shot my thesis using 16mm film titled Yo, Yoyo. The project was challenging but rewarding, with multiple locations and unforeseen issues. Coordinating and problem-solving as the main producer was demanding, but the shared struggles brought the team closer. This is the essence of filmmaking—artists coming together to turn dreams into reality, making bigger dreams as one.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Since childhood, I’ve been a somewhat unconventional and studious student. I wasn’t the typical obedient girl in the eyes of teachers; my personality is straightforward playful, and my attention easily wanders. However, despite these traits, my grades have consistently ranked in the upper-middle range of my class, keeping me out of any trouble. My academic performance was commendable during primary and middle school. Later, I enrolled in a highly competitive, prestigious high school, surrounded by exceptionally high-achieving students. The school prohibited students from bringing phones and engaging in romantic relationships. A friend and I were reprimanded by the headmaster for sharing an umbrella, deemed to have an excessively close male-female relationship, resulting in the confiscation of our student cards. This period of high school life was vastly different from the American high school experience, with intense academic pressure and instances of students developing depression due to familial and academic stress, leading to tragic incidents of suicide. I, too, faced significant academic pressure during high school, but I secretly brought a phone to school to cope. Watching favorite movies, reading novels, and drawing became my daily means of stress relief. Perhaps, in a way, art made me a stronger person. In the three-plus years of my filmmaking experience, I encountered numerous challenges and learned many lessons. I mentioned my first film, A Friend, which I shot without prior knowledge of filmmaking. With the guidance of my teachers, we refined the script bit by bit. I independently assembled the entire crew, comparing prices at various rental houses for equipment. I also raised funds for the film, a cumbersome task requiring personal financial investment. During the shoot, our producer unexpectedly left, and we had to calmly communicate and strategize solutions with the team to complete the project successfully. On the last afternoon of shooting, I had a vivid dream that the film needed reshooting continuously, with the producer causing disruptions. Waking up, I realized it was just a dream, relieving the tension. Filmmaking requires robust psychological resilience, organizational and communication skills, and the ability to problem-solve under pressure. Through this process, I transformed into a more formidable individual.
After living in China for 20 years, I moved to a foreign country for studies and work, a colossal shift requiring adaptation to new lifestyles, cultures, and languages. As an Asian minority in the melting pot of the United States, I keenly felt the superiority complex and subtle discrimination from some white individuals. As a female Asian filmmaker, I occasionally encountered discourteous behavior from certain males during work, along with numerous instances of disrespect and verbal harassment throughout my years of study and work. Dealing with the resulting negative emotions became my personal responsibility. However, these challenges and obstacles strengthened my determination to become an outstanding filmmaker. I aspire to be a resilient female producer who stands against injustice and supports fellow women in the industry. I also aim to be an Asian filmmaker who instills pride and cultural confidence in the Asian community with unique creativity. These identities, despite presenting difficulties, make me unique and empower me.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
This is my website: https://sites.google.com/view/simonechen/home?pli=1 My brief bio: Simone Chen is an accomplished producer and photographer hailing from China. She earned her BA in journalism and is currently completing her MFA in Film & TV at the
Savannah College of Art and Design. During her time in Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival, she served as the Ambassador, showcasing her dedication to the world of film. Simone has also made her mark as a producer with her film “Peekaboo,” which garnered acclaim by winning the Best Student Film award at the Los Angeles Cinematography.
Awards. Her focus lies in producing, photography, and artistic creation. Simone’s passion lies in crafting films that delve into the depths of inner emotions.
Simone Chen has consistently demonstrated her prowess as a producer and assistant director, playing an integral role in the success of multiple award-winning films. “Peekaboo,” under her production guidance, received accolades such as Best Romantic Short at the Independent Shorts Awards and Best Student Film at the Los Angeles Cinematography AWARDS. Similarly, “Green” achieved recognition at the Berlin Indie Film Festival for Best Student Director and earned dual honors at the Los Angeles Cinematography AWARDS for Best Student Film Cinematography and Best Student Director, all thanks to Simone’s impactful contributions. Her role as a producer extended to “Yo, yoyo,” “Vessel,” and “Doorway,” with the latter achieving finalist status at LIFF-SWEDEN 2023 and semi-finalist at the Benelux International Film Festival 2023. Simone’s projects have not only garnered official selections at prestigious film festivals like Chandler International Film Festival and Winter Film Awards International Film Festival 2024 but have also excelled with awards such as Best Student Film at the 2022 Tokyo International Monthly Film for “You Asked Me What Is In My Mind.” Notably, Simone served as an assistant director for “The End of Summer,” which received recognition at various film festivals, including the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival and the Hollywood Shorts Fest, where it won the Best Original Score. Simone Chen’s outstanding contributions as a line producer have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the success of these films.
In October and November 2023, I worked on my thesis film, “Yo, yoyo,” as a producer, director, and editor. Alongside my director and editor, we dedicated considerable time and effort to the project, choosing to shoot on 16mm film. Initially, we utilized our own savings to cover pre-production and filming expenses. Currently, we are in the post-production and fundraising stages with the ambitious goal of submitting the film to international festivals such as Cannes and Sundance. The story revolves around Yoyo, a non-speaking teenager who, after losing his parents in childhood, chooses not to speak. Attending a public trust-building class, Yoyo encounters Aliana. As they navigate the intricate game of establishing a connection, Yoyo’s aspirations blur the lines between illusion and reality in his quest for love. We spent over half a year in pre-production, arranging props, scouting locations, casting, and assembling a crew. During filming, we encountered various challenges, including securing seven different locations. Despite obstacles, we successfully obtained permits for the locations before shooting. As a producer, I played the role of mediator, resolving communication issues between the director’s team, the cinematography and lighting team, and the location owners, ensuring a smooth shooting process. Our shared goal is to achieve a dream and collaboratively create a piece of art, requiring the full cooperation of an entire team.
During my first group project in the film production course at SCAD, I ventured into producing and discovered that I excelled in this role. My outgoing and communicative personality, coupled with problem-solving skills, made me an effective mediator. Previous experiences as a class leader and leader of student organizations honed my financial acumen. Thus, after coming to the United States, I found a new purpose in becoming the best female producer in the film industry. I aim to create films that tell touching stories, prioritizing compelling narratives over flashy effects and A-list actors. As a writer and cinematographer, my keen eye for beauty and talent, combined with leadership skills, sets me apart in the industry.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
My favorite thing about LA is definitely the art scene, movie theaters, and the diverse cuisine. I love going to the Academy Museum for film screenings; the first time I visited, I spent a whopping 6 hours exploring. If I had the time, I would definitely go there every day, haha. I also enjoy live music shows, attending numerous concerts and small gigs. Experiencing music live is my favorite form of entertainment. Having a drink, dancing along with friends, and enjoying the music create some of my happiest memories. I have a penchant for exploring various Asian cuisines, given my Chinese palate, and I also love discovering delicious dishes from around the world. LA is never short of fantastic places to eat and have fun. As for dislikes, the traffic here can be a bit challenging. Driving is often congested, and the distances to desired destinations can be far, making the daily commute quite time-consuming.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/simonechen/home?pli=1
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pangggglggggg/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonechen-18b971225/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNZ5f2Jxe3SrXQkeFrxxNVg
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerofpang/
Image Credits
Simone Chen
