We were lucky to catch up with Mengchen Sun recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mengchen, so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?
Film and television are about telling stories and conveying emotions. In this realm, every emotion—love, hate, anger, sorrow—holds significance, demanding a strong sense of empathy.
My journey towards empathy began early, guided by one of the biggest lessons from my mother during childhood—to value respect and gratitude, fostering a practice of attentive listening. Throughout my college years, I realized that this ability not only facilitated swift and deep connections with people but also enabled me to genuinely understand and empathize with their emotions. However, my most substantial growth in empathy occurred during the pandemic.
During the pandemic, I opted to take a year off and returned to China, where I worked as an assistant script supervisor for a four-month shoot of a Chinese feature film. This experience exposed me to a diverse array of individuals with vastly different life experiences.
It was an eye-opening journey. One individual embarked on a solo bike trip to Tibet, while another persevered through taking three jobs a day to fund her education… Encountering such diverse experiences expanded my perspective. It made me more receptive and understanding of various situations and emotions. I realized that although I might not directly encounter these experiences, someone else in the world might be living through them at this very moment.
Now, when I’m editing or mixing for film and television, I often immerse myself in the perspective of the main character or place myself within the same emotional space as the characters. This approach assists me in making sound decisions that align perfectly with the narrative’s essence.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I was born in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China, a stunning coastal city. My introduction to audio began through my early exposure to music. My mother loves singing, and my father used to play the guitar. Recognizing the positive impact of music on child development, my mom introduced me to music, starting with cassettes and later transitioning to CDs.
Classical music profoundly influenced me; at 11, I embarked on my journey with the flute. Over time, I realized that while I loved playing the flute, I didn’t envision a future as a professional flutist. I didn’t want to end my connection with music, though. That’s when I discovered a major called Recording Art, which aroused my interest. I was fortunate to gain admission to the Communication University of China. However, I didn’t give up playing the flute. I joined the school’s orchestra, eventually becoming the first chair flutist.
As I progressed through college, my passion for sound in film and television grew unstoppable. In my junior year, I decided to pursue a career as a sound designer for motion pictures. Throughout my college years, I completed more than 40 projects, including short films, podcasts, interviews, animations, and soundscapes. There were moments when I thought I had grasped the essence of sound, but it was a transformative experience when I watched “Blade Runner 2049” in a Dolby Atmos theater in Beijing. It made me realize that I still had much to learn about sound. With a clear understanding that the United States was the ideal place to continue my journey, I ventured to Chapman University after earning my bachelor’s degree.
My professors, Michael Kowalski, Roy Finch, and Andres De La Torre, opened up a whole new world to me. The audio classes they offered were nothing short of fantastic. After years of dedicated practice and learning, I was equipped to comprehend concepts that had eluded me during my college classes. I graduated this year and am taking my first step into the cinema audio world.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Reflecting on my journey, I believe the three most impactful attributes are empathy(which I have discussed earlier), teamwork skills, and the ability to handle pressure.
Effective teamwork involves communication, understanding, and problem-solving. I’ve witnessed both productive and unproductive disagreements among team members. Constructive discussions or disagreements often lead to superior work. However, it’s crucial to maintain a professional attitude and refrain from bringing personal matters into the workspace. Instead of blaming, the focus should be on collectively resolving issues that arise. “Don’t be the *** in the room.”
Moreover, the post-production schedule can become challenging due to financial or personnel constraints, leading to immense pressure. Managing this pressure is essential for mental and physical well-being. Finding healthy coping mechanisms, such as exercising or engaging in relaxing activities during breaks, has been effective for me in alleviating stress.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
They are the ones who initially bring sound to my life. My mother, a talented singer, and my father, who used to play the guitar, instilled a deep appreciation for music in me from a young age. My mother, recognizing the positive influence of music on child development, from cassettes to CDs, she brought music to my life. She even shared that she intentionally played music during her pregnancy.
My father, a highly intelligent man, consistently encouraged me to explore the world beyond my comfort zone, despite being their only child. This encouragement led me to pursue my education in Beijing and eventually brought me to the United States. He’s also an avid movie enthusiast. In 2005, he took me to the cinema for the first time to watch “War of the Worlds,” a film that left a profound impression on me. To this day, science fiction remains my favorite genre.
I started playing the flute at the age of 11. However, it was during the year of the National College Entrance Examination when I realized that a career as a professional flautist was not my desired path for the future. It was my father’s unwavering support and diligent research that led us to discover a major called Recording Art at the Communication University of China. This major not only allowed me to maintain my connection with sound but also introduced me to the exciting world of recording, and subsequently, sound for film and television.
In the end, I’ve come to understand that wherever they may be, I have a home and a safe harbor that will always nurture and support me. Their guidance, love, and the values they’ve instilled in me have shaped who I am today, and I am profoundly grateful for the positive influence they’ve had on my life.
Contact Info:
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