Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mengchen Sun. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mengchen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

When reflecting on what my parents did right, I often express to my friends that the most fortunate aspect of my entire life has been having them as my parents. They played a pivotal role in initiating my relationship with sound. 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.

Over the course of my 26 years, my mother instilled in me one of the most valuable qualities: the importance of gratitude towards the people and things around me, especially those who have extended their help. While I may not have fully grasped the significance of this lesson during my early years, I gradually realized that acknowledging the kindness of others fosters a deeper desire in me to connect with people. It has cultivated my empathy, driving me to actively listen to their stories and empathize with their experiences.

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.

Mengchen, 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 was born in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China, a beautiful coastal city. My connection with the world of sound was cultivated by my parents, as I previously mentioned.

During my college years, I experienced an irresistible pull toward the realm of film and television sound. Engaging with narrative and experimental motion pictures has been an enthralling experience, introducing me to an array of new worlds. The constant renewal of stories and the fresh perspectives they offer have been particularly captivating. Unlike the monotony of a typical day-in, day-out job, the world of motion pictures continues to excite me, igniting my passion and infusing each day with new emotions. In my junior year, I made the pivotal decision to specialize as a sound designer for motion pictures.

Throughout my academic journey, I completed over 40 diverse projects, spanning various formats such as short films, podcasts, interviews, animations, soundscapes, and more. There was a moment when I felt as though I had a comprehensive grasp of the field. However, my perspective shifted dramatically while watching “Blade Runner 2049” in a Dolby Atmos theater in Beijing. It dawned on me that there was so much more to learn and explore in the realm of sound. It was this realization that led me to set my sights on the United States as the ideal place to continue my sonic journey. Consequently, after earning my bachelor’s degree, I embarked on my academic path at Chapman University.

At Chapman, my professors, Michael Kowalski, Roy Finch, and Andres De La Torre, unveiled a new world of sound for me. The sound classes I attended were nothing short of fantastic. Through years of dedicated practice and learning, I found myself gaining a deep understanding of concepts that had previously eluded me during my college education.

During the global pandemic, I chose to defer my studies for one year and enrolled as an assistant script supervisor of a feature film crew in China. Over the course of four months of shooting, I had the privilege of connecting with individuals whose life experiences were vastly different from my own. This experience profoundly deepened my understanding of people and strengthened my capacity for empathy.

I firmly believe in the significance of empathy. It has not only brought me closer to the directors and crew members I’ve collaborated with but has also enriched my connection to the stories I’ve worked on and the characters within them. This heightened empathy has enabled me to feel and understand what they feel. This is my biggest strength.

My current focus is on assisting with student projects, as I am particularly drawn to their immense potential. I am consistently impressed by the depth of their creativity and their fearless approach to storytelling.

Looking ahead, my ultimate aspiration is to become a re-recording mixer, and I am diligently working towards this objective. My journey of learning and growth is an ongoing process as I strive to achieve this goal.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative, for me, lies in the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the emotional ebb and flow of a story. My passion is driven by the desire to not only sense but also interpret the evolving dynamics of the narrative through my work. Additionally, I often find myself visualizing myself as a character within the story, enabling a deeper connection to the narrative.

Connection with the crew, especially the director, enhances my understanding of their vision and the story’s nuances. While diverse opinions and challenges may arise in the creative process, I embrace them as integral steps in the journey.

For instance, during the mixing of “Canary,” I placed myself in the shoes of the third daughter in the story, allowing me to experience the emotional flow as Rachel, the main character, did. The standout moments in this particular story were the sneaking out scene and the stepping out of the house scene. I made a deliberate shift between LCR and 5.1 audio formats to create a remarkable change in dynamics.

The act of sneaking out, a rite of passage for many during their teenage years, is something I, too, have experienced. During these moments, I vividly recall a heightened awareness of my surroundings. Every sound became more pronounced, the loudest things being my breath, my actions, and potential threats within the house.

With this in mind, I meticulously designed the Foley sound for Rachel’s movements during the sneaking out scene, ensuring they were subtle enough to maintain the tension of the moment. Simultaneously, I emphasized the father’s movements and the ticking of the clock, heightening the suspense. As Rachel obtained the key, it transformed into an additional source of tension due to the sharp clicks. The effort I put into crafting the key sounds aimed not only to synchronize with the visuals but also to convey Rachel’s eagerness and nervousness.

As Rachel cautiously stepped out of the door and closed it behind her, the soundscape underwent a transformative shift. Gradually, the world evolved from a two-dimensional space to a rich, three-dimensional experience. It was a moment of liberation for Rachel, and during this sequence, my breathing naturally synchronized with hers.

This entire process has not only provided a profound sense of accomplishment but has also allowed me to explore and connect with myself on a deeply creative and even transformative level. Being creative is like performing a magic show.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One valuable lesson I’ve had to unlearn is the notion of making sound design excessively stand out in a film. Earlier in my learning journey, I held the belief that sound needed to be the standout element because many of the others were lacking appreciation for it. I felt compelled to make the sound as exceptional as possible. However, over time, I came to realize that a motion picture should be a cohesive and unified whole, where no single aspect should overshadow the others. Many outstanding films exhibit a consistent level of quality across all departments.

This insight has led me to appreciate the importance of recognizing the significance of every department in the filmmaking process. To this day, when I undertake sound design for a project, my starting point is the story itself. I assess what the narrative genuinely requires and then collaborate closely with the editors and directors. In the realm of film and television, it is fundamentally about the collective effort, where the seamless blending of each crew’s expertise yields a remarkable piece of work.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/m_mchennnn?igshid=dHlvdDRtZzNoOWNy&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samia.sun.98?mibextid=PzaGJu
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/mengchen-sun-b3221a249