Meet Austin Tong | Film Producer

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

Hi Austin, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was to offer a full scale production service for narrative, commercial, and music videos. It was always a goal of mine to impact the lives of others by offering a service as well as meeting those best in their craft of filmmaking. It began with producing one man productions to crew of over 50 people. My services also include photography and videography for weddings, events, concerts, portraits, and social content.

I originally started the company in 2019 in the Bay Area, CA and moved out to Los Angeles, CA in 2023.I’m passionate about crafting stories that span across various mediums of entertainment, seamlessly blending elements of drama, horror, action, and romance. My aim is to create compelling characters who navigate both internal and external conflicts, ultimately shedding light on the depths of the human experience.

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.
At the age of 11, I embarked on my journey in the entertainment industry with a clear vision in mind. Self-taught in music recording, video editing, and YouTube content creation since middle school, my passion for entertainment blossomed through high school. There, I immersed myself in capturing events, people, and crafting my own narrative content alongside my involvement in dance and theater. Despite attending a STEM-focused high school in the Bay Area with limited creative arts opportunities, I proactively pursued my passion by enrolling in college courses during my junior year.

My early decision to wholeheartedly pursue filmmaking has been instrumental in shaping my path to success. Fueled by unwavering dedication, internal drive, and defined goals, I’ve continuously pushed myself forward. Now based in Los Angeles, I’ve had the privilege of working professionally in production for notable clients such as Apple, Verizon, NFL, Coca-Cola, and Riot Games, while also collaborating with esteemed artists like Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, TXT, and Lil Wayne in the music industry.

Throughout my journey, I’ve embraced invaluable lessons: to lead with kindness, maintain a positive outlook, and adaptability, recognizing and honing my strengths while consistently striving for personal growth. I firmly believe that by consistently giving my best, opportunities naturally unfold over time.

It’s essential for me to convey to my community and the world at large that a fulfilling career in entertainment and the arts is indeed attainable. I encourage aspiring creatives to aim high, never settling for less, and to seize every opportunity with unwavering determination, knowing that life affords us only one chance to chase our dreams.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite spots in the city include The Grove, Century City, Old Town Pasadena, Anaheim Packing District, and Koreatown to name a few. I would make sure to bring a friend to the Grand Central Market for a variety of foods as well as some of my favorite food locations: BCD Tofu House, Oakobing, In and Out, and Portos.

Point Dume in Malibu is my favorite beach in Los Angeles and the Santa Monica Pier and beach is a must see and do. There are great flea markets and thrift stores all around Los Angeles over the weekends.

As a big theme park fan, I love bringing people to Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Malcolm Gladwell stands out as one of my favorite authors, renowned for his captivating works including “Outliers,” “Blink,” “The Tipping Point,” and “David and Goliath.” These books have not only shaped my foundation but have also influenced my aspirations for the person I aim to become. They instill values such as courage, perseverance in pursuit of dreams, the ability to identify opportunities amidst adversity, and insights into the paths taken by the most successful individuals.

“Outliers are those who have been given opportunities – and who have had the strength and presence of mind to seize them” (Glaldwell Outliers)

I aspire to stand out, to thrive, and with every rejection encountered, I am further fueled to persist, relentlessly seeking new avenues to reach my ultimate objectives.

Website: https://www.austintong.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austin_tong

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austintong/

Image Credits
Colin Chow, Jim Slife, Kenny Juke