Meet Shih-Chun Hsiao | Editor/Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shih-Chun Hsiao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shih-Chun, how do you think about risk?
The greatest risk I’ve taken was leaving my stable engineering job to plunge into the unpredictable world of filmmaking. In 2018, at 28 years old, I held a leading engineering position at Schlumberger, overseeing crews and conducting wireline surveys—a satisfying role. Yet, my passion for filmmaking, lingering since college, had gone unfulfilled.

Towards the end of 2018, after successfully wrapping up a major project, a college junior messaged me, expressing how touched he was by the short films I had made in college. Amidst a glamorous company celebration, I suddenly felt that achievements and accolades lacked the impact of touching someone with a story. That moment spurred me to change the course of my life.

Now, I’ve earned my Film Production degree at the University of Southern California and completed my graduate thesis. It marks my modest but meaningful step into the movie industry, with an uncertain future ahead. If success is gauged by financial standing, career rank, or lifestyle, categorizing this transition as successful is complex. However, if success means following your passion, fulfilling creative desires, and doing what you love, I can confidently say I love my life—it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a filmmaker with a focus on writing and directing. Recently, I completed my graduate thesis, “A Better Place,” a story about an Asian city boy aiming to convince his aging parents to move to the city. Currently, I am gearing up for my next TV pitch, “Oil Queen,” based on the early 20th-century Los Angeles female oil tycoon, Emma Summers. This project explores the personal and professional conflicts faced by a woman in a male-dominated industry.

Beyond my personal projects, I also serve as an editor. I’ve had the opportunity to work on several award-winning short films. Notably, ‘Fili’ secured the 2023 Best Student Film award at the Hawaiian International Film Festival, ‘Blackifier’ earned the 2022 Directors Guild of America Student Film Grand Award, and ‘Launch Fever’ was honored as the Best Short Film at the 38th Annual Imagen Awards.

Editing is not just a job for me; it’s a passion. I relish the process of transforming raw material into its best form. Viewing editing as a collaborative venture, I am constantly contemplating how to capture the director’s vision. Usually, I initiate the editing process by asking questions such as, ‘Do you like the performance?’ ‘What feeling do you want to convey to the audience?’ and ‘What is the story about?’ By attentively listening to the director’s input, understanding their taste, and applying my judgment and storytelling sense, I navigate the intricate editing process. Editing, in my view, is about problem-solving and rewriting—an art that involves distilling the best elements and polishing the creator’s vision.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Los Angeles, my vibrant home, isn’t just a city; it’s a cinematic haven and an art enthusiast’s dream. To truly grasp the essence of LA, one must visit the Getty Museum. This iconic institution, perched atop the cityscape, is more than a repository of exquisite art—it’s a living testament to Los Angeles.

When you step into the Getty, you enter a world where creativity knows no bounds. Every brushstroke, every sculpture, whispers the essence of a city. Amidst the art pieces and open spaces, you can feel the heartbeat of a city that craves more than just existence—it yearns for art. The people of Los Angeles aren’t merely residents; they are connoisseurs of the artistic, seekers of the sun-kissed, and lovers of the coastal beauty that graces our shores.

So, when someone asks how to truly experience LA, my answer is to go to the Getty—a place where art intertwines with the city’s aspirations, capturing the essence of a community that finds its identity in the delicate dance between creativity, sunlight, and the allure of the breathtaking beachfront.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe a big shout-out to my mom for shaping my adventurous, resilient, and independent spirit from a young age. These qualities have been absolute game-changers in my life. My mom, a professional woman who worked in a bank, grew up in a poverty-stricken family but refused to let poverty pass down to the next generation. Working in accounting, she earned tuition to study in college. When I was a child, she sometimes took me to her office, where I witnessed her holding her ground in rooms full of businessmen, often the lone female figure. In a society like Taiwan, where biases tend to favor sons and women carry heavier social responsibilities with fewer resources, her resilience and wisdom catapulted her to the top management.

My mom never minded whether my school results are good or bad. She pushes me to go after what my heart truly desires, establishing positive values and infusing me with the quality of resilience. Her influence and nourturing play a critical role in my achievements today.

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shih-chun-hsiao-b0142492/