We were lucky to catch up with Wei Ta Chen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Wei Ta, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

My journey towards embracing an artistic path was not straightforward. Initially, my academic pursuits were deeply rooted in the realm of Electrical Engineering at National Taiwan University, where my entire focus was dedicated to mastering the complexities of the engineering field. The thought of venturing into the world of full-time filmmaking was an unexplored possibility.

However, during my senior year, when I joined the university’s photography club. It was here, in the world of static images, that I began to discover my passion and a natural talent for visual storytelling. My exploration into the visual arts rapidly expanded from street photography to documenting events, from professional portrait shoots to creating videos in varied forms, as well as producing content for television commercials, documentary and narrative filmmaking. Each new experience built upon each other, steadily enhancing my skill set. Actually, this entire skill acquisition process was self-taught, requiring countless hours of practice to transition from pretending understanding to a level of proficiency that felt almost second nature.

Professionally, my career prior to moving to the United States was characterized by a diverse range of roles—from being employed by an large agency to assisting emerging independent media in producing content for their YouTube channels. It was after a period of waiting for the right moment, when I felt that my resources and skills were sufficiently developed, that I took the decisive step to establish my personal film studio. This bold move marked the beginning of my career as an independent, full-time filmmaker.

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 an independent filmmaker working across various film genres, specializing in filming documentaries. With a background in electrical engineering, I ventured into the creative realm after college, driven by the passion for visual storytelling in still photography. This transition was fueled by a commitment to remain true to my fundamental aspiration, trying not to let financial pressures dictate the course of my creative expression. Thus living in New York, I strive to maintain a balance between the artistic and commercial aspects of my work, ensuring neither is compromised.

In the commercial sphere, it’s widely recognized that producing high-quality films is a costly job, requiring a team of specialists to meticulously manage every aspect of a project—from lighting and sound recording to post-production tasks like color correction. However, not all clients possess the resources for high-end productions, nor do they all require such refined visual quality. It’s essential to understand that low budgets do not inherently equate to low quality; the soul of a film lies in its story and how that story is conveyed.

This understanding somehow highlight my versatile approach in the industry. The ability to direct, film, edit, or even animation skill allows me an expansive creative freedom, providing clients with a broad range of options to suit their needs and budgets. Whether it’s a low-budget live-action short advertisement or a fully resourced production aiming for extremely high quality, my strategy is to realize the client’s vision as best as I can.

Artistically, my ambition is to use the medium of film to explore the limits of human experience, seeking to ignite emotional resonance or philosophical thinking. This pursuit not only provide me with profound significance on my work but also with a sense of accomplishment that motivates me to persevere on this path so far.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the act of creating is a representation of my daily observations which can range from, externally, critiques of policies, empathetic concerns for the environment or human society, perceptions for the future, to more introspective reflections on my own emotional states or simply as a mode of expression. Creativity itself brings me with interesting variations, and it also forces me to view the same thing from different angles. This process develops humble attitude within me and gradually shapes me into the person I aspire to be. The most rewarding aspect of being an artist, therefore, is this transformative journey—how the creative process not only shapes my work but also influences my personal growth and perspective on life.

Have you ever had to pivot?

After running my film studio in Taiwan for two years, I encountered a plateau in my growth. This realization was from a recognition of the limitations of my lack of formal academic training in the field. Despite the difficult decision it was, I chose to temporarily step away from the business I had built to pursue an MFA in Documentary in New York. This decision was driven by a desire to seek a breakthrough that would elevate my work to new heights. Returning to the role of a student allowed me to break free from the constraints of market expectations and to come back to the essence of creativity and its significance to me personally. It reminded the joy I find in photography and filmmaking. This period enabled me to continue my journey with renewed vigor and a clearer vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aandy7391.wixsite.com/portfolio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weita_photography/