Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cynthia Chen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Cynthia, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Raised at the intersection of science and art by a traditional Chinese artist mother and a technically inclined physics teacher father, I found my purpose through a blend of academic rigor and creative exploration. From an early age, I delved into painting, piano, and the sciences, with a keen interest sparked by my first PC, first SONY DV and the film ‘Titanic’. This early exposure led me to self-teach digital media skills, balancing them with my success in science and math, including inventing a custom hardware solution as a teenager.
Choosing Digital Media Art as a university major, I was at the forefront of an emerging field, blending art and science through courses ranging from graphic design to advanced mathematics, and even directing my own films. It was through immersing myself in countless masterpieces that I gleaned invaluable insights into life, perspectives on the world, and the values that shape us. I came to understand the transformative power of a well-crafted film—it has the ability to infuse love, instill great spirit, and contribute positively to our world. To name a few: Shawshank Redemption, The Legend of 1900, Greenbook, To Live, Up. The satisfaction of completing a compelling film became a driving force, igniting a desire within me to work in the film industry. I aspired to become a storyteller capable of crafting stories that not only entertain but also heal and inspire, aiming to reach and uplift souls yearning for connection and solace.
A decade ago, I made the choice to pursue a Master’s Degree in Motion Picture and Television in the US, marking the beginning of my filmmaking journey with a keen focus on post-production. My career in LA has spanned working on feature films, documentaries, music videos, and commercials, both independent and major projects.
Working in Hollywood has been an absolute dream and it’s been pretty cool to look back and see how far I’ve come since those days of editing our home videos in China. I still can’t believe I’ve been so lucky to have my skills shaped by Technicolor, Roush Media, and Sugar Studios. And I’m so proud that I also worked for HPA Award Winning colorist-Maxine’s team in Technicolor to deliver acclaimed projects such as ‘Missing Link’ (recognized with a Golden Globe for Best Feature Animation and an Oscar nomination in the same category), ‘Richard Jewell’ (directed by the legendary Clint Eastwood for Warner Brothers), and ‘Messiah’ (Netflix Series), also supported HPA Award Winning colorist-Keith on ‘Fantastic Fungi’ (Netflix Documentary).
This journey has been a testament to the fusion of my lifelong passions for art and science, leading me to become a storyteller aiming to inspire and connect through the art of film.
Spreading the word about your brand.
One of the greatest accomplishments in my career today has been starting Xin Studio in 2021, a post production house based out of North Hollywood, CA. After a decade of hard work in the industry I felt it was time to apply the skills I’ve learned in a way that was impactful to me. Gathering all the talents surrounding me to support those filmmakers and produce meaningful/powerful stories is my goal, especially for the minority community. With over 50 narrative films under my belt, a broad network and supportive community around me that make me want to take the challenge and step forward.
I think one thing that’s led to such strong success at Xin Studio is my commitment to nailing the details and delivering nothing but excellent quality in editing and color grading. I know that post-production is not just a profession, it’s a dedication to transforming narratives into immersive visual experiences. At Xin Studio, I bring this passion to every project, ensuring a seamless and captivating visual works that exceeds expectations.
Whether it’s dailies, editing, color grading, sound design, or VFX, motion graphic, and finishing, our team at Xin Studio is dedicated to bringing out the true essence of every cinematic creation. We enjoy the challenges of each project because we share a passion for turning raw into compelling and impactful stories that connect with audiences all over the world.
- Crafting NIAN: A Journey through Challenges and Creativity
In 2022, I had the honor of contributing to the Hulu Bite Size Halloween short, ‘Nian,’ as a post-vendor through Xin Studio. This project was a significant undertaking, collaborating with talented director Michelle Kruseic, where I served as both the editor and colorist. A Chinese American girl faces her racist bully with the help of the Nian, a mythological creature said to eat bad children —a narrative deeply relevant during the post-pandemic period marked by heightened Asian hatred. As an Asian filmmaker, this was an opportunity to stand up for my community and support a passionate female filmmaker.
Our journey was not without challenges; the schedule is pretty tight for this short film. Since 20th Digital needed us to deliver the first cut in a short time, Michelle also needed to leave for another feature film shoot, so we had to condense the editing time. To make the whole process more smooth, me and Michelle kind of started discussing a lot of details before shooting based on the script. And I left a lot of notes and references by using Google Doc Comments. It helped us to brainstorm and discuss how to shoot and cut those challenging shots together. We got a really nice cut before the first editing session. And when Michelle comes, the pacing and most of the sound effects are already on the timeline. All we needed to do is try some different performances at certain moments.
Typically, thrillers demand extensive sound effects and music support. To address this, my team diligently gathered specific sound effect lists every day under my supervision. With a background in music and sound design, I meticulously crafted the auditory landscape—managing sound effects, ambience, foley, and music integration. For instance, after a tension-filled scene, I collaborated with my assistant, Yi Yang, to create eerie sound elements like broken electric tungsten, water dripping, and creaking doors to intensify the viewer’s experience. Collaborating with talented composer Daniel Walter early on also allowed me to bypass temporary music, ensuring a smoother editing process.
One of the most memorable challenges involved the activation of the mask, a topic explored during pre-production due to budget limitations on set. Brainstorming various post-production solutions, we experimented with effects like bone breaking and electric sounds, layering them with ambient tones. DP Laura Merians Goncalves also provided additional lighting variations and handheld shaking footage, granting creative freedom during post-production.
Another significant scene involved a moment of self-revelation in front of a mirror. Despite feedback to remove a prolonged silent beat, both Michelle and I aimed to preserve the girl’s introspective moment. I proposed adding demon mask sounds and ghostly whispers, drawing inspiration from ‘Harry Potter.’ When a late request for an addition arose, I swiftly executed the plan—utilizing my voice, along with my husband’s death metal growl, to create a haunting whisper ambience, enhancing the scene’s impact in the final hours before submission. Me and my husband’s voices have been kept all the way on the big screen.
The collaborative efforts culminated in ‘Nian’s’ successful festival run, earning recognition at esteemed festivals such as the Woodstock Film Festival, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, the Palm Springs International Film Festival (awarded Best Midnight Short), and more. This experience reaffirmed the essence of filmmaking—a film is born three times—in the writing of the script, in the shooting, and in the editing, as French filmmaker Robert Bresson said.
Watch the Trailer: https://vimeo.com/892078135
Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Best Midnight Short: https://www.desertsun.com/story/life/entertainment/movies/shortfest/2023/06/25/2023-palm-springs-international-shortfest-announces-award-winners/70354760007/)
- Call Me by My Name: Affirming Cultural Identity Amidst Comedy
During the height of Stop Asian Hate and the COVID era, ‘Call Me by My Name’ emerged as a poignant comedy, tackling race identity issues with a touch of humor. The story follows a young woman who struggles with race identity while job hunting, after going through a series of ridiculous events from changing her appearance to changing her Asian name, she learns to embrace her true identity at the end.
When director Royce shared the script with me, I was immediately captivated, not only by the film’s thematic richness but also due to its resonance with my personal experiences. Having a name that carries the weight of my parents’ love and hope, akin to the protagonist in the film, added a layer of profound connection. It became more than a project; it became a shared journey of rediscovery and pride in one’s cultural identity.
As the editor and colorist for the project, I had the privilege of contributing to the film’s visual narrative. The challenges of working remotely during post-production due to the pandemic were significant, but they sparked innovative approaches. My team utilized the PR Team Project, facilitating simultaneous and efficient collaboration and utilized Frame.io to get notes from directors and producers, which became our primary tool after the pandemic. This film made quarantine so much fun! Despite the physical isolation, the shared dedication to the project brought us together in a virtual space.
Our specially designed credit sequence animation, revealing crew member’s hidden Chinese names, evoked powerful emotions and received an enthusiastic response from audiences, earning selections at the 2022 Dance with Films and the Next Generation Indie Film Awards.
Watch the trailer: https://vimeo.com/703840185
- Lucy & Sara: Navigating Sisterhood in a Wild Short Series
Directed by Susan, ‘Lucy & Sara’ explores the lives of two sisters grappling with their father’s death. The film, shot in Europe, presented unique challenges due to varying weather conditions. Susan, who found me through Instagram, shared a vision aligned with my views on filmmaking and art.
The film’s themes, reminiscent of classics like ‘Barton Fink’ and ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,’ delve into depression, hate, jealousy, and unconditional love. Their life is pretty harsh, and even though there’s some toxic vibes between them, their love for each other is real. It’s like a slice of life but with a dark, humorous twist. Unlike most films that celebrate familial bonds, romantic love, it builds a sense of irony towards the sisters. Then, subtly, it flips our perception of the main characters, challenging and reshaping our views on family ties.
It mixes in some dark humor that kinda reminds you of “The Banshees of Inisherin,” which also gave me inspiration for color. Additionally, this raw, hand held shooting style is what makes it feel so close to reality, reminds me how the final look should look: slightly dark, moody, not over-saturated but still have enough details. During the color grading process, I also faced the task of blending shots from both rainy and sunny days to maintain visual consistency. At the same time, Susan gave me a lot of references shot by film. Despite Lucy & Sara being shot with Sony A7SIIIs, I successfully recreated a filmic look.
Working on this project made me rethink a lot about the important relationships in my life, and I bet it’ll hit home for others too. ‘Lucy & Sara’ is officially selected for the South by Southwest Film Festival, Slamdance Film Festival, San Francisco Independent Film Festival, and will premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival. I eagerly anticipate the audience’s response to this captivating and emotionally charged short series.
https://schedule.sxsw.com/2024/films/2196808
Could you tell us about three most important qualities, skills and/or areas of knowledge?
Success in the creative industry hinges on three main qualities: creativity, for generating innovative ideas; patience, for overcoming challenges; and professionalism, to uphold high standards.
Essential skills include effective collaboration and communication, the ability to learn independently, and attention to detail.
Knowledge in both art and technology is crucial, bridging aesthetics with innovation. These elements collectively define the pathway to excellence in the creative sector.
Are you looking for folks to partner or collaborate with? If so, describe the sorts of folks you are looking to collaborate with and how they can connect with you if they are reading this and want to collaborate.
I am always looking forward to working with like-minded creatives, who want to craft powerful stories that heal and inspire, to make films that infuse love, instill great spirit, and contribute positively to our world. And together we make unforgettable cinematic experiences that leave a lasting impact!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.xinstudio.co
- Instagram: @cynthia.chen_colorist
Image Credits
Jie Meng Royce Gao Bridget Ling
