We recently connected with Byron Chang and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Byron, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.
As a film editor, encountering creative blocks is a common and normal part of the editing process. The journey from raw footage to a polished film is rarely straightforward. There are times when I am overwhelmed with an abundance of footage, and other times when I have to work with very limited material. Each scenario presents its own set of challenges and requires a flexible and adaptive approach to storytelling. To overcome the creative blocks, I often take a break, go for a walk, and then return to work. This helps clear my mind and usually helps me to rethink about my editing choice. In addition, I often go back to the script and re-read it. This will remind me on what the scenes and characters are about, which helps me to discover nuances or elements that spark new creative directions. Lastly, it is also really helpful to discuss the project with the director or someone you can trust their taste with. Getting a second opinion can highlight aspects I might have overlooked and inspire new ideas.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a Los Angeles-based editor specializing in narrative shorts, corporate videos, and advertising. I consider myself a focused, determined, and unique filmmaker who explores a wide range of themes and topics. My work is driven by a deep appreciation for cultural inclusion and authentic representation, and my identity as an Asian individual profoundly influences my editing approach.
What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to tell authentic and diverse stories that resonate with audiences from different backgrounds. I am passionate about ensuring that the stories I help shape are genuine and reflective of the cultures they represent. This commitment to authenticity is evident in my collaborative approach. I work closely with directors to ensure their vision is realized while maintaining cultural integrity.
Before taking on any project, I immerse myself in understanding the cultural context of the story, characters, and setting. This involves thorough research into the cultural backgrounds and experiences of the characters portrayed in the film. By doing so, I ensure that the final product is not only true to the director’s vision but also respectful and accurate in its representation.
Currently, I am excited to share that I have just completed the editing of a short film called “Ten Miles of Toad’s Song.” The movie tells the story of a child raised in a sham marriage family in China, as he grapples with the concepts of home and belonging. What truly sets this project apart is its unique perspective, presented through the innocent lens of an eight-year-old protagonist. Throughout the editing process, I focused on maintaining the viewpoint of a child while ensuring the emotional resonance of the story remains relatable to audiences of all ages.
I am particularly proud of this project because I believe it tells an important story that deserves to be shared with the world. With its longer runtime compared to other shorts I have edited, it presented the challenge of maintaining tight pacing without compromising narrative depth. I have worked closely with the director to ensure that every editing decision serves a purpose and propels the story forward.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
For the past years, I had the incredible opportunities to meet and network with many successful filmmakers, people who have sound mixed on Oscar-winning film, people who have colored Marvel movies, and people who have edited big Hollywood blockbuster movies. They all gave me a similar advice, which is being a skilled technician is crucial, but equally essential is the ability to work effectively with people. The importance of communication, collaboration, and navigating different personalities and perspectives was repeatedly emphasized as a critical aspect of their jobs. Dan Hanley, one of my favorite editors, once suggested in an interview that the biggest part of the editor’s job is to respond to notes. He said that you better toughen up that skin a little bit, because it’s not about you, it’s about the final product. This is something I try to live by as well.
At the end of the day, I am there to serve the story and the director. Hence, my biggest advice for people is to keep an open mind when a director raises a concern, a note, or a question, and address it immediately. Instead of talking your way out of it, I believe being a team player and keeping an open mind are the most important qualities to succeed in this industry.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely, I am always looking for opportunities to partner and collaborate with talented individuals and creative teams. Collaboration is at the heart of filmmaking, and I believe that working with diverse perspectives and skill sets can lead to truly unique and compelling projects. In additional, I believe that storytelling is like a muscle that can be built up; it is a skill that you can get better at it through a lot of practice. Hence, I am always looking for good stories to work on to help shape the narrative and also to improve my own technical and storytelling skills. As of the moment, I would love to work on genre films, such as horror and comedy, but of course, I am still opened to any type of story!
If you are interested in collaborating, you can connect with me through my website https://byronchang.myportfolio.com, where you will find my contact information and portfolio. Additionally, you can reach out to me via email at [email protected]. Let’s create something amazing together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://byronchang.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byronchang1116/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byronc-chang/
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