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

Peggy Tserwen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

In 2023, I embarked on a deeply personal and ambitious project: my first full-length feature film, ‘Miss Mermaid,’ which I both wrote and directed. The film tells the story of an ambitious law school student in Taipei who receives a life-altering phone call from a hospital in New York City, informing her that her sister is in a coma with a premature baby. As she travels to New York alone, she begins to uncover the complexities of her sister’s life, ultimately confronting her own perceptions and understanding of family and identity.

‘Miss Mermaid’ is more than just a film; it’s an exploration of Asian mother-daughter relationships and the pursuit of the American dream. Drawing inspiration from my own upbringing in a traditional Asian family and my move to New York, the film delves into the intricacies of generational conflicts and the clash between Eastern and Western cultures.

Growing up in Taipei City during the ’90s, I was immersed in American culture through music, movies, and TV shows. However, it wasn’t until I witnessed the huge influx of immigrants to New York that I began to question the deeper motivations behind migration and cultural assimilation. Could there be underlying political and social dynamics at play?

To bring this passionate vision to life, my team and I embarked on a crowdfunding campaign for the movie. We were overwhelmed by the support we received, particularly from individuals who resonated with the themes of immigration and cultural identity. Harnessing the power of social media, we successfully raised funds for production and continue to engage with our audience through this platform.

Peggy Tserwen, 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 Taiwanese filmmaker currently based in New York City. By day, I’m immersed in the world of commercial video editing, crafting those eye-catching reels and marketing videos you scroll past on social media. But on top of that, my passion also lies in film writing and directing.

My journey into filmmaking began with editing commercial videos, but I soon felt the pull to delve deeper into the art of storytelling. That’s what led me to pursue a master’s degree in film in New York City, a decision that felt bold, but as the Chinese saying goes, ‘newborn calves are not afraid of tigers.’

During my time at Stony Brook University, I poured my heart into writing and directing two short films and a feature-length film. These works explore the narratives of Taiwanese and Chinese immigrants, as well as the female experience in these roles, touching on themes of identity and the pursuit of the American dream. Drawing from my own upbringing in Taiwan and my experiences as an Asian woman in the vibrant tapestry of New York City, these stories are deeply personal to me.

My debut short film, ‘Jade’, has been included in over 15 film festivals both domestically and internationally. Currently, my second short film, FESTIVAL, and my debut feature MISS MERMAID are in the post-production phase. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the support for these projects, with our crowdfunding efforts raising $20K from those who connect deeply with the stories we’re telling.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

After graduating from film school, many of my friends who weren’t in the field assumed that finding work in the film industry would be straightforward. But the truth is, breaking into the industry as a writer and director is far from easy. Most of us, myself included, began our careers working on commercials, music videos, or entirely unrelated jobs just to make ends meet. It’s a reality that echoes Mia’s struggle in ‘Lalaland,’ where waiting tables was a means to support her acting dream — a reality all too common in our industry.

Unlike other art forms, filmmaking is incredibly expensive. To pursue our craft, artists often have to invest their own hard-earned money or compete fiercely for fellowships, workshops, and grants. Alternatively, we must convince producers to invest in our vision among countless other talented and passionate filmmakers.

The stereotype of the struggling artist isn’t just a myth; it’s a reality for many of us. The path to success is fraught with challenges, requiring not only talent and passion but also time, luck, connections, and resources. Despite the harshness of the industry, what drives us forward is pure passion for storytelling and a leap of faith. I firmly believe in the power of art and media to create invaluable contributions to humanity.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a filmmaker lies in the profound influence that media, particularly film and television, can have on shaping people’s perspectives and identities. These mediums possess the ability to mold how audiences perceive the world and themselves, making representation — both in front of and behind the camera — immensely important in fostering diversity and inclusion.

My feature film “Miss Mermaid” prominently features a woman-identified perspective in multiple dimensions. Our narrative delves into the intricate and multifaceted experience of motherhood, offering a profound exploration of womanhood and familial relationships.

In today’s world, women have the ability to choose motherhood. This decision allows us to explore the desire to be a mother and what it means to be one. The narrative sheds light on the conflicts and paradoxes within mother-daughter relationships and the struggles of mothers. The protagonist’s quest to understand her sister’s secret pregnancy in New York is a deep exploration of these complicated relationships, and what it could mean to be a mother today.

Our commitment to promoting a woman-identified perspective goes beyond the storyline. The film is conceived, written, directed and produced by women who bring their unique experiences and insights to the creative process. Key production roles are also filled by women who share a deep passion for this story and a commitment to bringing it to life.

Through crowdfunding, we discovered just how deeply our story resonated with people. I received an abundance of feedback from individuals who saw themselves reflected in the characters’ struggles, finding solace and connection in our narrative. It’s a privilege to see my film project serve as a platform for community unity and support for Asian female artists, providing audiences with a source of comfort and empowerment.

Contact Info:

• Website: peggytseng.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mermaid_filmproduction/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-tserwen-tseng-550369159/
• Other: https://fiscal.thegotham.org/project.cfm/5467/Miss-Mermaid/