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

SHAO CHIU, 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.

As an aspiring production designer for independent and passion projects, my most meaningful endeavor was working on a narrative short film titled “The Fanatics.”

The film follows a desperate mother’s journey to save her daughter, who is struggling with depression following the collapse of a cult within a Taiwanese immigrant family in the late 90s. Being both the production designer and co-writer, the film held special significance for me as it was inspired by my childhood friend’s experience, making it deeply personal and meaningful.

When it came to creating the visual style, I worked closely with the director to capture the Y2K aesthetic and the interior design trends of the 90s. To achieve this, I drew inspiration from 90s house catalogs and interior decoration manuals, incorporating elements like glass blocks, room dividers, and the characteristic paint colors of that period. Despite having a tight schedule of around 2 weeks for construction, we were able to build the entire film set from scratch in the studio. The experience of utilizing my creativity and skills to bring this story to life was incredibly fulfilling.

SHAO CHIU, 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 am a Taiwanese production designer and set designer for film, television, and stop-motion animations. I came to San Diego to pursue my Master’s degree in Film and Television Production. Initially, I started by learning how to direct, but as I ventured into directing short films and working as a studio assistant, I discovered that my passion lies in designing and building sets.

I believe what sets me apart from others is my hands-on experience in construction and scenic work, which provides me with a practical understanding of how sets are built. It was only when I stepped into the studio and began using power tools for carpentry work that I understood how the floor plans translate into real construction.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Before coming to the U.S. to study film, I struggled with embracing my creative side for a long time. The pressure to pursue a more practical career and my lack of confidence held me back from following my passion for filmmaking and design. However, despite majoring in journalism, I volunteered at local film festivals and reached out to film major students, offering my assistance with their projects.

Following graduation, I worked as an administrative assistant at a television broadcaster. While helping other staff set up equipment and edit videos, my passion for filmmaking intensified. This growing passion led me to apply to film school, a pivotal moment that changed my career trajectory. Looking back, I’m glad I made the decision to pivot my life and career. Though it felt daunting and uncertain at first, the outcome has been truly satisfying.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

In my experience, I’ve come to realize the importance of certain resources that I wish I had known about earlier. One of these skills is hand sketching. Developing strong sketching abilities, including having a basic understanding of two-point perspective, and the relation of the object to the light source, has proven helpful when photobashing keyframes or conceptualizing ideas in Photoshop. While I did learn hand sketching through sketch classes during my time in grad school, acquiring this skill earlier would have been even more beneficial.

In terms of period research, especially for architecture and interior design, I rely heavily on online resources like Internet Archive, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA). These platforms offer a wealth of historical house catalogs and architectural references that would save you plenty of time searching for random pictures which may not be authentic to the period. Having discovered these resources earlier would have streamlined my research process and improved the accuracy and authenticity of my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shaochiuyen.com
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/shao-chiu-yen-86234324b
• Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
”The Fanatics” Film Stills and Behind the Scenes, directed by Laura Skokan. 2023 SDSU TFM Dept. Grad Student Thesis Project. “A Lunar New Year’s Eve” Film Set Stills, directed by Nguyen Phan. “Sundown in the Old West” Film Stills and Behind the Scenes, directed by Neha Pearce. 2023 SDSU TFM Dept. Grad Student Thesis Projects.