Meet Haoran Chen | Producer & Director

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

Hi Haoran, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
he most important lesson my career has taught me is how to thrive under pressure while maintaining clarity, composure, and balance. As a producer, my job often requires delivering a complete feature film within an extremely condensed timeline—sometimes just two to four weeks. This pace demands more than just efficiency; it requires a deep capacity for short-term planning, rapid decision-making, and above all, emotional resilience.

In every project, I find myself in the position of bridging two worlds: the creative or business expectations of the client (the “A-side”), and the actual on-the-ground realities of the production (the “B-side”). Navigating this space means constantly negotiating between ideal visions and practical constraints—whether it’s schedule limitations, budget shortfalls, or creative compromises. It’s a balancing act that tests not only your technical and managerial skills, but also your emotional intelligence.

Learning how to manage that tension—how to listen, adapt, prioritize, and still push the project forward without losing sight of the bigger picture—has been the single most valuable lesson in my career. It has taught me that successful filmmaking isn’t just about what happens on screen, but about everything you can resolve off screen before the camera even rolls.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Absolutely, I’d love to share more. In recent years, my work has been heavily focused on producing mini TV series—far more than traditional short films. While these projects often come with tighter timelines and more commercial constraints, I’ve come to see them as a creative challenge rather than a limitation. Even within a compact production schedule, I do my best to infuse artistic intention into every element—from lighting and shot composition to casting and location choices. It’s about making the most of every moment, and still striving to create something that visually and emotionally stands out.

I lead a team under the name Red Pavilion Film Production, and that name carries deep significance for us. Inspired by the poetic imagery in its name, we aim to express elegance, intensity, and cultural nuance in unconventional ways. We want every project to carry a hint of that spirit—whether it’s seen in the color palette, the emotional pacing, or the layered world-building we create for our characters.

Getting to this point professionally wasn’t easy. Much of our progress has come not from luck, but from learning how to identify and seize the right opportunities, even when the conditions weren’t ideal. We’ve learned how to deliver excellence with limited time and resources, and to maintain vision and precision under pressure.

What I want people to know about me—and about Red Pavilion—is that behind every piece of content is a team deeply committed to creating meaning in the midst of limitations. We don’t just finish projects—we elevate them. And as we grow, we hope to continue pushing the boundaries of what small-format storytelling can achieve.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting Atlanta for a week, I wouldn’t hesitate to show them the city through the lens of both a local and a filmmaker. Because of my work, I’ve discovered so many visually stunning and hidden locations that most people overlook—and that’s exactly where we’d start. For the first couple of days, I’d take them on a “film tour” of some of the natural landscapes we’ve used as shooting locations. These places hold both personal meaning and cinematic beauty, and they always spark great conversation.

After that, we’d head to some classic Atlanta experiences—the Coca-Cola Museum and Centennial Olympic Park are musts, especially for first-timers. They’re iconic, full of energy, and rich in history.

When it comes to food, Korean cuisine is a big highlight in this city. I’d definitely take them to some of the best Korean BBQ spots in and around Atlanta—places where the grills never stop sizzling and the banchan seems endless. Right nearby, there’s also a great selection of Chinese restaurants that never fail to impress.

I’ve gotten to know this city extremely well—just in the past two years, I’ve driven over 60,000 miles here, which probably says something! One of the final stops would be a deep-dive into Atlanta’s unique downtown culture, where we’d grab a signature oxtail dish that you can only find in that part of the city. It’s bold, flavorful, and unforgettable—just like Atlanta itself.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely – I’m incredibly grateful for the support and collaboration that have shaped my journey. First and foremost, I want to thank StardustTV for their continued trust in me. Their belief in my work has given me the opportunity to produce multiple series for their platform, and I’m honored to grow alongside such a forward-thinking team.

I also want to give a huge shoutout to my co-producer Yulin Chen. His reliability, dedication, and strategic thinking have been instrumental in pushing every project forward—especially when we’re up against tight timelines and high expectations. His contributions behind the scenes are nothing short of essential.

Last but not least, I want to recognize Cloudy Zhang, the head of costume and styling on our team. Her impeccable taste and attention to detail elevate every production we work on. Her vision brings a level of polish and sophistication that truly sets our projects apart.

No success is ever achieved alone, and I feel incredibly lucky to work with such passionate and talented people.

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

Image Credits
DIEGO VAGAS