Meet Byron Chang | Film Editor

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

Hi Byron, what do you attribute your success to?
For the past years, I had the incredible opportunities to meet and network with many successful filmmakers, people who have sound mixed on Oscar-winning film, people who have colored Marvel movies, and people who have edited big Hollywood blockbuster movies. They all gave me a similar advice, which is being a skilled technician is crucial, but equally essential is the ability to work effectively with people. The importance of communication, collaboration, and navigating different personalities and perspectives was repeatedly emphasized as a critical aspect of their jobs. This is something I try to live by. At the end of the day, I am there to serve the story and the director. Hence, I always keep an open mind when a director raises a concern, a note, or a question, and I always try to address it immediately, instead of talking my way out of it. I believe being a team player and keeping an open mind are very important qualities to succeed in this industry.

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.
As an editor with a deep appreciation for cultural inclusion and authentic representation, my own identity as an Asian individual profoundly influences my editing approach. I want to tell authentic and diverse story that can resonate with audience who come from different background.

From my past works, I work closely with the directors to ensure their vision is realized while also maintaining cultural authenticity. Hence, before taking on the project, I make sure to understand the cultural context of the story, characters, and setting. This involves researching the cultural backgrounds and experiences of the characters portrayed in the film. During editing, I work closely with the director to ensure that every editing decision has a purpose and move forward with the story.

The process is not always easy. As an editor, sometimes you get a lot of footage, and on another project, you receive very little footage. Each of the situations represents its own challenges. Hence, it is important to keep an open mind on how to edit a story. When I am editing, I always think about how I can approach this scene differently. I think it is important to have a plan in mind when editing; however, it is even more important to be open to better ideas.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a big foodie. Some of my favorite restaurants in LA are Ramen Nagi, Simpang Asia, LA Rose Cafe, Ruen Pair, and Rasselbock. Hence, I will take my friends to those places if they come visit!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shout-out to all the directors who I had the pleasure to work with. I believe that storytelling is like a muscle that can be built up; it is a skill that you can get better at it through a lot of practice. Hence, I am grateful for the opportunities that all these directors gave me to edit their films. I love working with the directors and helping them to shape the story with pacing and sound. These projects allowed me to continue to develop a better workflow and continue to better my storytelling skills.

Website: https://byronchang.myportfolio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byronchang1116/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/byronc-chang

Other: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10907973/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_q_Byron%2520Chan