We were lucky to catch up with Zhen Chen recently and have shared our conversation below.
Zhen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I have several projects in mind. But one of the most meaningful project to me is the feature film I sound designed back in 2013 called “Split Gas”. It’s my first time sound designing a feature film all by myself and it’s my first feature film too. Before that are all shorts. It’s a really low budget independent film about 2 grad students Jack and Oliver, went on a road trip to San Fransisco. Jack is an easygoing grad student who is going to San Fransisco for Spring Break and Oliver is a suicidal freshman who secretly just wants a ride to the cliffs of Big Sur to jump off and kill himself. As they cruise up the Pacific Coast Highway, Jack makes it his mission to break Oliver out of his own head, while both attempt to conceal their ulterior motives for the trip.
I was excited to work on that film since it’s my first time sound designing a feature. Even though with a lot of pressure but the outcome is worth it. The film went to several film festivals and I can still remember some scenes from it even 10 years later. Believe it or not, the sound tracks are still in my playlist now.
Zhen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Zhen Chen and I go by Jensen. I’m a sound designer/sound editors for films/TV shows/video games. No matter if you need clean up bad recording of production sound, designing a creative sound effect, filling up foley for your film or even premix before you taking it to a bigger stage. The goal is to prepare your projects with details and make your film sound much better within a reasonable budget.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I’m not sure I want to be famous but I want my work to be unique and recognized. Like music artists like to put a tag in their work. For us sound designers, it’a bit hard since you have to be very careful to put sound into the film since it might distract the audience. But I want one day I would be able to craft my work in a unique way so when everyone hears the film they will know it’s from me. Not sure how yet but that’s my goal.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me the best part is you get to know a new story each time you work on a new film/project. I will never get tired of that! As a sound designer, our work usually starts when the film is picture locked. Of course, our work is still very important to the film but you can almost get to know the story pretty much already. No matter it’s a narrative or documentary, you see a different aspect of the world and learn a different peace of mind. It’s such a blessing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zhenjensenchen.com
- Instagram: jensen8985