We recently connected with WenChun Cheng and have shared our conversation below.

WenChun, appreciate you joining us today. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

I worked as the director of The Glory of Global Chinese, a program that highlights the contributions and achievements of Chinese citizens who have had a profound impact in various fields. The program has been airing on Xumo since the beginning of 2022, and I worked on it from around June to October of that year. I directed two episodes, EP11 and EP12, which focused on entrepreneurs in environmentally friendly businesses and philanthropic work, respectively. The show is still airing on Xumo and is planning to air on CCTV and NBC as well. For each episode, my role was to conduct the interviews, guide the conversation, and make sure the audience could understand the complexities of the topics covered. As a filmmaker, I found it difficult to tell a powerful story and convey strong emotions in a short amount of time since each episode is only 20 minutes long.

One of the biggest challenges we faced in creating the show was the need to match all the other episodes in terms of quality and content. We strove to maintain a consistent level of production value across all episodes of the series, which could be difficult when dealing with limited budgets and resources. Because of budget constraints, we were unable to film too far away from Los Angeles, which meant that we were limited in terms of the individuals we could feature in our documentary.

Another challenge we faced was the limited time we had for filming. Due to budget restrictions, we only had one shooting day for each person we featured in our series. To make the best use of our limited time, we needed to do a lot of research, emails, and Zoom meetings beforehand to ensure that everything went smoothly on our filming day. This required us to be extremely efficient with our time and resources, as there was no room for error.

Despite these challenges, we remained committed to creating high-quality, emotionally impactful documentaries. Our team worked tirelessly to ensure that we were able to tell a complete and engaging story within the 20-minute time limit. We carefully selected each person we featured in our program and conducted thorough research to ensure that we could capture their stories in a way that would inspire and motivate our audience. Overall, creating The Glory of Global Chinese was a challenging but rewarding experience, and we are excited to continue showcasing the inspiring achievements of Chinese citizens in our future episodes.

WenChun, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As a director and producer originally from Taipei, Taiwan, I have a passion for exploring different genres and styles in filmmaking. I believe that being open to different approaches allows me to be more flexible and adaptable, which are strengths that have helped me work well in any genre. One of my favorite directors is Damien Chazelle, and I appreciate how he mixes different elements to tell his stories.

Throughout my career, I have had many rewarding experiences. However, working with different production companies in Los Angeles has been particularly memorable. This experience allowed me to witness firsthand how professionals in the industry approach their work, and it was an incredible learning opportunity for me. I learned how to communicate more efficiently and hone my leadership skills, which have been invaluable to me as a director.

As a filmmaker, my ultimate goal is to create impactful and meaningful films that resonate with the audience. I believe that film has the power to open a dialogue and bring people together, and I hope to achieve this through my work. I aspire to tell stories that are authentic and relevant, and that shed light on important issues that need to be addressed.

To achieve this goal, I prioritize constantly improving my skills as a storyteller and seeking out new sources of inspiration. I also value collaboration with my crew and cast, and I believe that open communication is key to making great films. Ultimately, I hope to use my work to make a positive difference in people’s lives by inspiring change and providing a source of entertainment.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

As a director and executive producer of Choice, I believe that the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the ability to bring a vision to life and inspire others. Whether it’s through film, television, or any other form of media, being able to create something that resonates with an audience and makes them think or feel is incredibly fulfilling. It’s also incredibly rewarding to collaborate with other creatives and see the final product come together as a team effort. Additionally, the ability to use art as a tool for social commentary and change is another aspect that I find rewarding. Overall, being an artist or creative allows for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the world through storytelling and creative expression.

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

As someone who was not born into a creative family, when I first started my journey in film, I struggled to understand the challenges of starting a creative journey from scratch. It’s not just about being talented, it’s also about having the drive and determination to learn and improve. Many people may assume that creativity is something that comes naturally, but in reality, it takes a lot of work to develop and refine artistic skills. The amount of effort and dedication required to succeed as a creative, especially when starting from a non-creative background, is significant. I think the most important thing I realized as someone from a non-creative background who got into the creative business is that anyone can become a creative if they are willing to put in the time and effort to learn and grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wenchunchengfilm.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wenchun-cheng/

Image Credits
Hsu-jen Huang Melly Lee, at her handle: @mellylee_