Today we’d like to introduce you to Xuechen Zhu.
Hi Xuechen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised up in a small city in China, called Wuhu. My favorite thing in my childhood was watching TV. I think that affected me a lot and that was the beginning of my interest in the film and TV industry. In order to avoid watching TV, my mom would take the TV cable away when she was not at home, but I found thousands of ways to watch TV secretly under her avoidance. When I got to college, I chose a major related to this industry, but not film and TV. I found I didn’t like the major at all and I didn’t like what most people do when they graduate from my major, I tried my best to get into Chapman University, which is one the best film schools in the US. That’s like the official start of the career. I’m glad I go on this career path at the end and I really like what I do now. After getting into grad school, I kept trying to gain experience in the industry, try all the kinds of things I could edit with, gain my skills at editing, and know more about the story and people to make myself a better editor who can tell a better story.
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?
It’s not. I am a journalism major student before, I found an internship at a media company, which is one of the biggest media companies in China, and most of my alumni will go to work in a company like that after graduation. But after I worked there, I found I didn’t like what I would do. I wish I could switch my career, then there is an exchange program to a film school. I attended that; I wish I could know more about film, know more about the world outside my major. I took an editing class there, and the professor of that class was super nice, he graduated from a US school, and at that time, I had a seed planted in my mind maybe there was another way, I could change; I could go to the country where has the best film industry to take a look. So I started to apply for film schools in the US, and that took me over a year to prepare, the good thing is I made it. After I started studying in the US, I definitely felt I liked the film, I want it to be my job in the future. But I know I can’t just join the student projects; I need to work inside the industry. I tried to find a job when I was in my third year in grad school; I sent hundreds of emails and reached out to people to learn about their stories, after two months I finally got a job, that company is making shows for big TV stations, like ABC, CBS, NBC, I’m glad I got out of my comfort zone and working hard to get the job to be closer to my dream.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a film editor based in L.A. I graduated from Chapman University, Dodge College, majoring in film production, and editing emphasis. I have edited short films, feature films, advertisements, documentaries, and digital content as well. I have edited ads with over 1 million viewers online, and award-winning short films and feature films. I specialize in different kinds of editing, but the narrative especially.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I’m glad I got selected by one of the most famous film festivals in China. I attended their training camp in China, in that training camp, we needed to pair up with directors, cinematographers, and producers to make a short film within a week, including shooting the film, editing, and finishing all the things. At that training camp, I met my mentor, his name is Xiang Ye, he is one the most famous editor in the industry now. I got his mentor not only for editing but also for his personality and how to get along with people; as one of the most famous guys in the industry, he is never arrogant or conceited. On the totally opposite, he is really humble and takes care of other people’s emotions. And I can feel his pure love for film and his enthusiasm for the industry. I wish I could be a person like him, keep my pure love for my career, and love the people around me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://xuzhu6.wixsite.com/my-site-4
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolezhuxuechen/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xuechen-zhu-99a58a190/
