Meet Wes Chew | Filmmaker

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

Hi Wes, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
This one is hard for me as I’ve been down many rabbit holes that haven’t always “worked out” in the end. Before you go down one of these rabbit holes, I think it’s important to ask yourself why you are doing something before you even begin. Inevitably there will be times when you need to pivot or take a detour and adjust on an idea or project. But there’s a big difference between adapting and pushing forward on your original idea or taking your foot off the gas pedal completely. I think you owe it to yourself to try all the different ways of completing your goal so you can say you truly gave it your all.

However, I think at times you also have to let go of specific outcomes you’ve daydreamed about in your own head, and you let the universe tell you a much better story than you could ever have imagined. I’ve actually been at the finish line for a project and almost wished that I hadn’t gone that far, because I realized I went into it and came out of it for the wrong reasons. I think if you go into something for the right reasons and intentions, you’ll know in your heart when it’s time to keep moving forward or to let it go.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I remember when I first started out I was definitely a “yes man” who jumped on pretty much any film opportunity I could. It started with weddings and corporate to short films, reality TV, and MOW’s. Throughout all those different kinds of productions, there were always obstacles and challenges that I tried my best to prepare for but were impossible to predict. Over the years I’ve learned that it’s not always about how much you prepare for the problems, but how you deal with them when they inevitably come up. I strongly believe that having a strong support network of friends and family and the right partner can make a huge difference when you’re going through those times. In terms of lessons, I think that we’re living in a world of information overload and it can often stunt our growth as we get lost in research mode. For any aspiring filmmakers out there, I think you need to just start by picking up a camera and shooting and learn what works best for you and where you might need some help from a friend. In film school, I remember learning the industry standard way of making movies which is important to know when hopping on a show. But for the types of movies that I wanted to make, that way just didn’t work for me and I took a much more documentary style of filmmaking. It was just something that happened out of trial and error and seeing what works best for you at the time, and I’d encourage anyone else to do the same.
The film I’m most proud of is the thesis short film I made in my last year of school. I shot it all solo with my 2 actors running around an amusement park, a burnt-down mill, and a house they were renting at the time. I wanted to see how much I could do with very little gear and was pretty happy with the results.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I was going to hang out with a friend in Vancouver I’d probably take them out for a picnic at English Bay or Stanley Park with some drinks and tacos. There’s a little place called La Catrina Taco’s right beside the beach, grab a Jarrito while you’re at it!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to give a shoutout to my very first film mentor, Tom Konyves, who taught me Video Production 101. Tom was super patient in critiquing my passion projects, giving advice, and helping encourage me to pursue filmmaking and film school. Big shoutout to Tom!

Website: www.weschew.com

Instagram: @wes_chew