Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Voon Ann Chong

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Voon Ann Chong. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Voon Ann, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Good morning! Thank you for having me.
I love this question, it’s very timely.

I’m very delighted to share that I’m officially starting my own production studio! I’ve always wanted to fully dedicate my time into this dream of mine but for many years, life circumstances moved this to the backburner. Through many failures and obstacles, I was starting to believe that it is a someday, one day dream. I was teetering on giving up, but the desire I had towards this dream was so strong, it made me restless. I was certain it might be my calling. It was mid this year that I felt the doors opening and I was afraid! For something that I was waiting on for a decade, is now mine to experience, had me second guessing.

I’m grateful for the support that I’ve gotten from loved ones that affirmed me to go for it. So, I did.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey there! I am a Cinematographer and a Motion Designer. I create live action and animated visuals for commercials, corporate, narrative films and music videos. I got my start in multimedia design and found myself gradually specializing in filmmaking. I love exploring unconventional ideas of storytelling that conveys deep human experiences through visuals. I’m also excited to bring more Asian stories to the screen whenever possible! Currently, I’m working on a variety of projects from Motion Graphic videos, short films, to storyboarding.

I would love to chat with you if you have a script or idea, let me help you make your film dreams come true!!

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Experiencing my first death has changed or shaped how I see the world. I remember it was a strange feeling, it was a mix of grief and curiosity. Curious in the sense that I felt I’ve unlocked reactions and feelings I didn’t know I have or could have. I know I am an empath, and since encountering multiple deaths, it has amplified. I feel more intensely towards life experiences and the finiteness of time. Sometimes the weight of emotions overwhelm me and I find myself resorting to numbness. I’ve learned to embrace the new feelings that emerge, because emotions are important for a filmmaker and as a person.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I think suffering makes success taste so much sweeter. It’s like drinking an ice cold drink after running under the hot sun. I personally am more appreciative and grateful for successes after seasons of suffering. Whenever I achieve success, I want to take care of it, nurture it and savor it for however long it is entrusted to me. I’m still no champ in seasons of suffering, but I’m learning to trust that God is with me through it.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to think that we need to achieve certain milestones by a certain age or we are falling behind. But looking back now, I wouldn’t be ready or equipped to run my own studio if I started earlier. I needed the life experiences from then till now to shape me into the kind of person who can take on this role. It’s still a constant struggle for me to resist comparing myself to others, but I’m learning and reminding myself that everyone is built different and shaped by different circumstances. I think this also goes for other aspects in life.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Haha, good question! I think I am doing what I am born to do. Art has always been a natural language to me, which I can feel where my calling is. I wouldn’t say I was ever told what to do, rather, I’ve received supportive advices that helped guide me closer to what I was born to do.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Amellia Feroz
Courtney Randle

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