Meet Helen Chan | Film Director

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

Hi Helen, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
My end goal is to be a Music Video Director whose works have a positive impact on the world. I want my music videos to be something people find comfort or joy in, videos that people will watch more than once. I wish Artists would hire me because they think I add value to their music through my creativity instead of hiring me because they need a video.

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.
I think what sets me apart from others is that most of my work was inspired by my own experiences. Usually, they were negative experiences, and I turned them into Art. This is what I am proud of – my resilience. Art Making is not just a job to me, it is a career, something I enjoy a lot and need as a healthy human being.

My journey to becoming a Director has never been easy. There were so many challenges. For example, whenever I have a film that I want to make. I had to make it from money out of my pocket. Because of the small budget, there were so many limitations and I oftentimes had to compromise and refrain from trying new things that required more money. Gladly, by observing other filmmakers, I learned that limitations can drive you to be more creative. So now, whenever I face those challenges, I talk myself into thinking that it’s time for a creativity boost in me. Each challenge I face will result in me getting more and more creative.

Though I am a newcomer in the industry, I wish more people could give me the chance to prove my capability to create good work. Though I am not as experienced in my career, I am a person who constantly strives to challenge and better myself. All I need is a chance to start…

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?
To me, Buford Highway, and Duluth are my favorite places to visit because of all the Asian restaurants that remind me of home. I would like to bring my best friend to all my favorite restaurants there, i.e. all-you-can-eat sushi, Korean grilled intestines, and Chinese hot pot. Those are foods that we used to eat back in Hong Kong during our teenage years. Other than restaurants, I will bring her to Six Flags in Georgia, though we are in our late twenties, we are still a kid in mind. I am sure she will have a blast there.

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 would love to thank my family for their support. It is known that in Asian families, choosing Art as your career is taboo. I am sure you heard that in some Asian films – “You will end up on the street.” However, my family was different. When I was a kid, my mom actually “forced” me to get into Art because she saw the potential in me. I thanked her for opening up this Art world to me at a young age and shaping me into who I am today.

Website: https://www.helensansan.com/

Instagram: hell_lunnn

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helensansan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellun519

Image Credits
Nike Spec commerical – Poster Photographer: Quinton Thomas