Meet Nicole Shan | A new filmmaker

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

Hi Nicole, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born and raised in northern China, but grew up in the south. It has been difficult for me to identify with just one place. People in the north think of me as someone from the south, while in the south, they see me as someone from the north. This background has allowed me to quickly adapt to life in the United States, an immigrant country. Because I have no strong sense of belonging, I feel I can belong anywhere.

After graduating from college, I gave myself a year to travel to various countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. This year of interesting experiences made me realize that what I wanted was not a stable job and life, so I chose to come to the United States and start anew, entering the film industry.

Having lived in two different regions, I can focus more on different immigrant stories in the films I direct. This background also provides me with more options in my work with others.

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.
Making a film is never a simple task. As an independent filmmaker, I believe we will never feel fully accomplished; there is always room for significant improvement. The uncertainties in filmmaking are immense. As a director, sometimes the images we envision cannot be fully realized, and the results of filming and editing may not match what we originally intended. During those times, I feel very frustrated, and learning to accept such discrepancies is an important lesson.

As a producer, working in the film industry requires collaboration with others. Unlike other industries, it’s impossible to complete a film entirely on your own, so interacting with different people and managing those relationships is the biggest challenge.

For me, as a director, presenting the stories I want to tell is something I take pride in. As a producer, ensuring that the entire film is completed smoothly is also something I am proud of.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I will take them on a road trip along Highway 1, from Los Angeles to San Francisco. I think the scenery and small towns along Highway 1 are the most special in the world.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The French director Eric Rohmer has been the greatest gain since I entered the film industry. I watched all of his films, and his understanding of life and existence has deeply inspired me. His ability to turn even the smallest insights into films has made me more attentive to every detail of life. When I write scripts, I sometimes wonder if he would have made even more observations.

Of course, there’s also my mother. Without her financial and emotional support, I wouldn’t have been able to complete my studies.

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9877521/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_Nicole%2520shan