Meet Tianxiao Chen | Editor & Fimmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tianxiao Chen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tianxiao, looking back, what do you think was the most difficult decision you’ve had to make?
The most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make was choosing between pursuing a degree in Bioengineering, which my parents initially supported, and following my true passion for filmmaking. My parents didn’t initially support my choice of studying film, but after I took several filmmaking courses during my undergraduate studies and demonstrated my dedication and achievements in the field, they eventually changed their minds. This led me to study both Bioengineering and Filmmaking concurrently during my undergraduate years.

On the one hand, the film-related studies deepened my insights about film art, particularly in the sense of social responsibility that filmmakers should have. I paid more attention to ordinary people and human beings’ fates, other than mere individuals, to expose more about social problems and human dilemmas through my films. On the other hand, the study of biology enabled me to understand people from the human body’s mechanism and ultimately to understand people in an emotional way with the combination of film art. Both of these majors help me understand and create better characters.

Afterwards, I decided to sharpen my filmmaking skills for Master degree in American Film Institute Conservatory and be a film editor in the future. In retrospect, it was a difficult decision, but it was also the most rewarding one, as it allowed me to pursue my true passion and gain a well-rounded education that has shaped my approach to filmmaking.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Hi! I’m Tianxiao Chen, and you can call me Christine! I am a film editor currently based in Los Angeles. I was born in Shenzhen, China, and I spent most of my life there. When I was young, suffering had prevented me from seeing the creative facet in my being, and I now realize that creativity can be a healing force in my life. Whenever I use a camera to create visual images, I am consumed with satisfaction. When difficulties in life challenge me, I always imagine a camera is filming me, depicting my life in balance when I feel out of balance. This idea is a source of energy and strength to confront any unknowns and difficulties that cross my path.

I directed my 30-minute thesis film in my undergraduate. As a filmmaker, I think it’s most important to have respect and patience. I always share my thoughts about character and story constructions with actors, and share with them my personal experience when I think the actor will benefit from it. I’m also open-minded to their thoughts so that I can truly embrace an in-depth collaboration during filming and achieve satisfying results. After that, I was lucky to have my debut work presented on the big screen at Broadway Cinematheque in China. As I interacted with my first audience, I became increasingly aware of their limited understanding of “woman”. Society has kept works about women and feminism marginalized in mainstream society. So, it’s no wonder that the audience didn’t embrace open-mindedness for the answers to the questions surrounding “what constitutes a woman”. In the face of this reality, I want to be vocal from a woman’s perspective through the art and craft of filmmaking. I reflect myself to tell a story, and in doing so I obtain insights from my stories on a deeper level.

My undergraduate study has equipped me with a good command of film production knowledge. When I got acquainted with different techniques of film production, I found myself greatly attracted to editing. For example, I enjoy watching baseball games very much. The players only focus on the rushing strength of the ball in the air, which creates a momentary pause at their every glimpse and breath. This state is like the “flow state” I enter when editing a film. Time and space seem to disappear. I am completely immersed in the editing process. I enjoy piecing together fragmented images into segments that can potentially resonate with people and make them understand and feel the story. Even though editing multiple pieces of footage is an intricate process, the satisfaction of seeing the entire work as an organic, emotional entity brought into being is incomparable.

Considering my passion in editing, I came to AFI as an editing fellow. After the first year of study, I exploited fully the possibilities of editing as much as I can. I edited different genres of shorts includes drama, comedy, and mockumentary. Through these projects, I explored different styles of editing, elegantly using it to express the essence of my filmic vision. Currently, I am working on my AFI thesis film, which is about a single mother must go to extreme lengths in order to provide Thanksgiving dinner for her children. It is about motherhood, humanizing the outlaw, poverty, and freedom. I’m really excited to bring this special realistic drama to the audience through editing. Moreover, I become more clear about my career path in the future as a film editor. For me, cinema is about raising questions and looking for the answers. It acts like a mirror, revealing things we might not see or may not want to see in ourselves. I really want to explore the complexities of life through films and cannot wait to visualize more relatable stories as an editor.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Almansor Park, located in the heart of Los Angeles, is a hidden treasure that seamlessly blends natural beauty with an array of recreational opportunities. One of the park’s standout features is its impressive range of free sports facilities. Basketball courts, tennis courts, and even badminton courts are readily available for sports enthusiasts to enjoy friendly matches or practice their skills. Almansor Park’s idyllic setting is further enhanced by its serene lake, where you’ll frequently spot ducks frolicking in the water and flocks of birds soaring overhead. After an energetic game of basketball, it’s a joy to relax and watch the distant horizon as the setting sun gradually paints the sky in shades of pink and blue. Almansor Park becomes a place where you can savor those balmy summer evenings, making it the perfect spot to enjoy the magic of twilight.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
“Siddhartha” has been a profoundly influential book for me, and I want to dedicate a heartfelt shoutout to it. I first encountered this book during my undergraduate, and what resonated with me the most was Siddhartha’s journey. His quest for meaning, the period of asceticism in the forest resembling our time in school, and his pursuit of love and wealth mirroring our societal experiences, all struck a chord.

Every step of Siddhartha’s journey was fraught with uncertainty, pain, and doubt. Much like me, he too faced moments of profound questioning and inner turmoil. But in the present, that’s not what matters. What truly matters is that he’s experiencing all of this now, in this moment.

This book has provided immense encouragement for me, especially as studying film. I’m unsure whether I’ll become a famous artist in the future, but what I do know is that every emotion I’m going through is precious. Every single present moment is a unique and eternal existence in the river of time.