Today we’d like to introduce you to Helen Chan.
Helen, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am from Hong Kong and I came to Atlanta three years ago to complete my Bachelor’s degree in TV production. After graduation, I worked as a Production Designer in the film industry in Atlanta for a year. Now, I am back at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) for my Master’s in Film Directing. Since I was a child, I have been exposed to different forms of art like painting, sculpture, music, dance and film. I was a quiet and shy child. I was not articulate and Art was my platform to express myself.
During my teenage years, I dreamed of becoming a singer. I aspired to influence through music. That was till I got into College. I realized this dream was not meant for me, and I decided to let go of it for the better. Upon my college graduation, I had no idea what career I wanted to pursue. I did not have a dream or passion. Circumstantially, I was given the opportunity to get into Production Design. Within a year, I changed so much that even I was amazed. I started to unlock my creativity, became less complement and gained confidence in my Art. I found my sense of belonging since I met a lot of crazy talented people who inspired and hooked me into the film world. I was fascinated by how the stories I helped tell, inspired and resonated with people. This urges me to step up to have my voice heard. I want to tell my own stories. Therefore, I decided to re-embrace my childhood dream and aspire to be a Music Video Director.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course not! It has been a crazy road and I am wow-ed. It’s like a roller coaster ride. Every time I go down, I learn more about myself. The downslope shapes and prepares me to go higher the next time. Self-doubt is a major struggle, and it still hits me up from time to time. Since I have just got into film, I always feel behind compared to my classmates. I doubt if I will be good enough and wish I had found my passion for the film earlier. I doubt if this is the right path, as I am afraid that I will fail in my dream again. To deal with it, I always remind myself that self-doubt is only going to hinder me from getting better. Amazing things come when I believe in myself.
Please tell us about your work.
I am an Artist. I am a Production Designer who works in films, commercials and music videos. I am an Editor who makes eccentric photo edits to entertain and inspire. I am a Music Video Director who tells stories through visuals and music. I used to feel insecure about being unsettled and indecisive. People always told me to choose one career and focus on it. Now, I always wonder, “Why can’t I do them all?” I don’t want to limit myself. I will create my own job and career. I will establish myself as an Artist who expresses herself and influences people through different kinds of Art forms.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
So far, my proudest moment is when I was invited by my SCAD professor Quinn Orear to do production design for our school’s TV pilot. It was the biggest production I’ve worked on as a major crew member, the Head of the Art Department. I cast away my self-doubt and proved to myself that I could do more than I thought. The pilot was a success, and I am looking forward to more challenges ahead.
Contact Info:
- Website: Production Design: https://helensmkasu.wixsite.com/website
- Website: Directing: https://vimeo.com/hellun
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hell_lunnn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellun519
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