Meet Mojo Wen | Production Designer

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

Hi Mojo, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
My experience is like a discovery journey to Production Design. I’m from Chongqing, China, a city built on mountains. Chongqing is a 3D city; if you visit there, you’ll feel your view is constantly changing height and angles. I was growing up in the development of CG technique. The incredible visual effect of the Backstreet Boys music video, Titanic scenes, and World of Warcraft CG attracted me to discover more about motion picture. I was lucky enough to learn 3D modeling and animation skills from the first CG generation of China, who was taught directly by CG artists from Hollywood Studios. This experience has strengthened my sense of space in the 3D world. I started learning drawing and painting when I was three years old, I naturally wanted to create meaningful images. I realized that I didn’t want to be a simple worker with only software skills, I wanted to make beautiful shots, and every picture should tell stories like painting. Then I started my discovery journey from being an assistant editor, an editor assistant, to the independent editor. I thought the editor was in charge of the final picture. I was only partially correct because all the editing magics are based on the footage that’s done before. Then I went to Florida to study filmmaking, from pre-production to post-production. This founded my general knowledgeI of the film production process, which helped me better cooperate with other department as a production designer. I was analyzing  myself like an scientist, I designed a chart of my strength and interests, and list out my talents and skills. After compare what I have and what I want, I realized that production design is the perfect career that suits my desire of creating the meaningful picture. Then, here I am, practicing production design at AFI.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My design is a final solution of all the meaningful thoughts. One thing I like about being a production designer is that I get to learn and absolve knowledge from all the unrelated fields, and then I get to apply those excellent ideas to the film design. For example, I was once attracted by Permanculture, a system theory for designing a environment according to the nature blueprint. I applied what I’ve learned from it to my balcony plants. I designed a small area where plants are positioned thoughtfully, and I don’t need to do extra work after all the preparation, they will constantly growing fruits even after I left home for years. After the balcony practice, I wanted to design a cafeteria combined with the self-growing systerm. All the fruits, vegetables are all grow in the cafeteria, and all the leftover are recycled to cultivate plants. I mainly used two recycling systems, they are all extract from the Permanculture mindset. Interior design knowledge was in needed at that moment, so I self-studied interior design from online and professionals. I combined my plant and interior design knowledge. It turned out well. Later on, I get to refine this idea and take it to the next level for a big green house in a film concept design. Because I’ve had the mind training experience. I can quickly land a rough design for this concept. I just need to combine my previes experience with a new building style knowledge. I enjoy the design-to-execution process because there are always new information I need to learn, digest and apply. I love discovering the world, from all aspects. It is definitely not easy to keep pushing myself to a half unknown situation, but out-of-comfortable zone also means growing stronger to me. So I’ll passionately accept the challenge, do enough research, and practice until I successfully execute my concept. The lessons I’ve learned along the way is DO NOT JUDGE YOURSELF when designing. In the artist’s eyes, there’s always something can be done to make the artwork better. If I keep judging while designing, I can barely move on to the next step due to the perfectionism. I was once a person that would keep thinking until the last day to execute my idea. Because I have to get it down in a short period of time, I have ignored some unperfect ideas. Then I realize a lot of judgment I had before doesn’t even matters. The best way to solve the problem is to try it, then adjust in the process. I believe we all have potentials to be a better us as an artist, we just need to find the right way to train ourself. Another important thing I want to speak out is STAY HEALTHY, both mentally and physically.

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 to Getty Center to check Monet’s Stacks of Wheat, so they can experience his masterwork while I explain why and how; I’ll take them to the Griffith Observatory so that they can enjoy this famous art deco building, a star view, and Los Angeles view; I will take them to the Universal Studio Tour, so they understand what I’m doing in the film industry; I will take them to the National Forest Park, calm down the anxiety level, embrace the natural earth, and playing with random animals. In my view, communicating with masters through their artwork, touching nature: trees or animals, and meeting people with different lifestyles are the most exciting and meaningful things to do.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m thankful to my mom Donting Yu, aunt Beiting Yu, friends Praboo Ariva and Chengdong Liao for all the mental and financial support. And all the professors and friends who believed in me and gave me all their support. I’m luckily accepted by AFI and has been encouraged by my Professors from AFI: Suzan, Ernie, Jeo, David, Frank, Caroline, Anne, They’ve taught me not only skills, but also the mind set of being a thoughtful production designer. Kevin who runs the soundstage at AFI gave me a lot construction technical support. Christopher, Rasa, and Mark who I worked with has given me enough respect and room to improve. And many more friends at AFI, outside of AFI who always help me with my set building, or check on me if I’m alive, haha. I truly thank them for their emotional support and work support. 

Instagram: Mojo4magic

Image Credits
Mojo Wen, Praboo Arivananthan, Tao Tu.