We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hae Ji Cho. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hae Ji below.

Alright, Hae Ji thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

Since I was four years old, I knew I was going to be an artist. That’s a choice I’ve made over and over again throughout my life. I think it’s important to remember that I’m not a hostage to this life — being married to my passion and getting to use my creativity as much as I do now is an immense privilege. However, I can definitely see why it takes some work for others to understand just what being an artist or a creative entails and how difficult it can be. A lot of people dip their toes into an evening of artistic activities or remember their time as kids finger-painting and think that being an artist is a whimsical, relaxing pursuit as if every day were the equivalent of exercising a casual hobby. It’s not. As someone who practices ceramics, I see this often when people take wheelthrowing classes: so many people get frustrated or disappointed because they come in expecting it to be easy, but it just looks easy because the artists we see on social media or on TV have developed their craft over countless hours. I’ve seen adults throw tantrums because their expectations were so skewed, but that comes from arrogance. I highly encourage everyone to get in touch with their creative sides but all I’m saying is that I’m not going to walk into a post office and say, “I’ve seen mail before. Bet I could do your job right now.”

When individuals outside of the entertainment industry hear that I make films and work on marketing campaigns, the first thing they say is that it must be a lot of fun. The thing is… it absolutely is sometimes. It’s just not the main way I’d describe it. I paint a picture of the range of my experience: how rewarding it can be to learn from those I meet thanks to my work and getting to explore themes that call to me, but also what it’s like to work under high pressure for 12-20 hours sometimes for something that may be seen for just a few seconds on a screen.

I do wish that there were more consistency in this line of work, particularly when it comes to a schedule. The hours of a filmmaker can be so irregular and unpredictable, it can be hard to commit to a family trip, confirm attendance to a friend’s dinner, or keep up with other hobbies that enrich my life. It’s not impossible, but it takes extra planning and knowing what I need to prioritize, which could be a good thing. It’s a constant balancing and re-balancing act.

Hae Ji, 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?

I’m a director, writer, and producer who creates art that often shines light on the beauty and grief within the endless contradictions and peculiarities found in the human experience. My fascination with juxtaposition and our ability to find harmony because of or despite it is very true to who I am on every level. I find a lot of humor in it, even if sometimes it feels I may be the most solemn person at a celebration or the liveliest person in the face of bad news.

Because I believe that everyone should have access to art and that anyone in a position of influence is responsible for the re-distribution of power, I try my best to reflect that in my work, whether I’m directing an indie film, story producing for a high-visibility branded commercial, or even making pottery. I want to put something out into the world that makes someone feel seen or more connected to the world around them, especially if they are someone who doesn’t normally get a chance to feel that way. It’s my way of extending an invitation to them to contribute to a conversation that may benefit from hearing their voice.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

It may be a “grass is greener” situation, but I often envy Canada. When I see amazing Canadian films and see that they were made with the support of the government, I wish that were more common in the United States. It’s already tough enough to make a film with that funding, so let alone without. Without that type of support, many stories are forced to deal with limitations they wouldn’t otherwise have. For some, it means never even getting a chance to make their films. This makes available opportunities all the more competitive, which could also hinder collaboration among artists, which sets us all back. These are just a few of the things that tell me we are overdue for a systemic change.

I would urge people to support creatives by being vocal about the importance of public and government funding for art. I would also suggest that they approach the art that they consume with curiosity and look at least a bit into the work that goes into creating it. For those who love TV and film, there are plenty of shows that have great behind-the-scenes content. The BTS for Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings are incredibly impressive. However, if you really think about it, there’s art all around us. Somebody designed the shirt you are wearing, played the instruments of the music you listen to on your long commute home, drew the comic strip that made you laugh as you got through your work day, and wrote your favorite character in the comfort show that you play on repeat when nothing else feels right. Once we start debunking the idea that art is a luxury and start to see it as a necessity, that’ll be a solid first step towards positive change that could create better working conditions that keep skilled and talented creatives making wonderful things.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

There’s a reason that so many cultures have their own version of, “Closed mouths don’t get fed.” I underestimated just how powerful it is to openly express what I need or want. Are there times when I ask for what I need and get nothing but the sound of crickets in return? Absolutely. But has the rate at which I do get what I need increased drastically since I became more open about these things? Undeniably so. Our voices with grace and a dash of courage are our best tools when looking for resources or opportunities. I believe that any resource you may need gets much more within reach when you do this, and it allows you to build a stronger sense of community. Speaking up makes it easier for those willing to help to get you closer to your goals — and they may actually even be looking for someone like you and all you have to offer. Grants, websites, and jobs are constantly changing but this practice can be used however many times we choose for the rest of our lives. It’s such a small thing we can do to tip things in our favor but, without action on our part, chances are nothing will happen. It’s unfair to wait for others to do all the work of “discovering” us and giving us a chance if we are not willing to even express our intentions.

Growing up in Brazil, I often heard the joke about a man who prayed all the time, “God, please, please, please, let me win the lottery.” After many losses, God personally reached out and advised him, “My son, please, please, please, buy a lottery ticket.” This is me telling you: buy your lottery ticket.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.haejicho.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hjichan
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haejicho/

Image Credits

Photos by Kevin Alcántar, Art With Impact, and Vinny Castellini