We recently connected with Gabriella “Shun” Hsu and have shared our conversation below.

Gabriella “Shun”, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever worked on was the short film, ScapeGOATS, written and directed by Erika Lobati. First of all, I respected Erika so much as both a friend and a director, so I was so honored when she considered me to co-edit the film with the amazing Raquel Davis. Like most remote editing jobs, it was definitely tougher figuring out the workflow and meeting dates, but the entire post team was super on top of it, flexible, and enthusiastic. But I think my favorite part of the whole process was the script itself, its quick wit and courageous approach on immigrant kids figuring their way out in high school WITH their families was so encouraging. I think our current media, especially with immigrant stories, tend to shed a more negative light on the parents, often villifying them or using their different in cultural upbringing drive the main plot. Because of that, it was refreshing to see Erika, the actors, and the team shine a different and relatable perspective on the important value systems these families give to their children in the midst of navigating unfair circumstances in school due to their backgrounds.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a Taiwanese American film editor with a soft spot for dynamic magical realism and heartwarming stories. I got into the industry because I loved editing, the meticulousness of the craft, the deep collaboration of it that highlights my positive introverted qualities, and the distinct impact it can have on audiences that always surprises me. I’ve worked on Amazon Studio’s Roadhouse (2024), Netflix’s Rez Ball (2024), and the short film, Marina (2025), which is a Gotham/Focus Features Student Film Award Winner. Currently, I work full time in network television at Great American Media, which is known for their faith based, family friendly movies. In my free time though, I freelance edit at Pichy Productions, a boutique film production company that is in production of their docuseries focused on a Little Leagues team in South Philly that made it to the World Series. I am also assistant editing on a documentary short directed and edited by Kyle Crichton, an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker. Needless to say, I am a little bit of a workaholic, but it truly is working with amazing people that keeps driving me forward.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Honestly, it’s always been hard to explain why I am okay with and choose the stress of post production or a certain creative project. I don’t see it as a clock in clock out kind of job, and I certainly wouldn’t say I have good work life balance because I’m always on standby for a certain deliverable. But, for me, I’ve always seen it as our life is going to have stress regardless, so I’m grateful that I have the opportunity and capability to choose this specific kind of stress. It’s rewarding to me, and I will choose it again, over and over again.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

I’ve never been really great at fundraising, so when I was starting my LLC for my freelance editing and my passion editing projects, I was paying out of pocket. I was able to do this by working at a low stress, predictable, full time job, in which I had the time to then budget for an emergency fund, necessary expenses, and then set aside a percentage just for filmmaking. I still overspend my filmmaking percentage (hahaha), but the security of consistent income has been helpful in easing my scarcity mindset and helping me choose projects that I’m really passionate about.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @edited.by.shun
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellashunhsu-editedbyshun/