We had the good fortune of connecting with Ren-Chih (Allen) Chen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ren-Chih (Allen), we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Taking risks is inevitable but doesn’t necessarily mean making decisions recklessly. It means accumulating enough information, planning, and then taking a leap of faith. Deciding to study abroad is a risk I took years ago, and deciding to make a turn in my career by becoming an editor is another example. I was born and raised in Taiwan and initially aimed for a life/career in cinematography. Due to the limitations and all sorts of aspects regarding the industry structure in Taiwan, I chose to explore further in the state. During this pursuit, I discover my love for editing. Therefore, I aim to learn and contribute to a much more well-established market here in the state.

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 believe in maintaining professionalism and being accessible to communicate within the career I am pursuing. An editor is a unique being in the film industry; you are not just an artist, but sometimes you must be a tech whiz. It is essential for an editor to cope with what is happening at the moment. Learning and knowing how to use tools to execute specific tasks while being creative is a lot.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Most of my time in Georgia is actually in Savannah, where I finished my MFA in film.
I love the vibe of this city and the weather; its hospitality and temperature are similar to those of Taiwan.
The city is quite touristy, so walking on the street from Broughton St. to the Forsyth Park area would be a delightful experience. River Street is a must-go, too; I absolutely love the Gyro wrap at Olympia Café, and shoutout to Aidan, my buddy, and his beloved Golden Retriever Finn, who introduced this place to me. At last, The Pirate House on Broad Street is another place I love; it has the best Fried Chicken I have ever had. I strongly recommend that anyone visiting Savannah go to The Pirate House and visit the extra tour of the secret tunnel underneath.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many people I want to pay tribute to. My parents supported me in pursuing a further degree in another country, and my professor/ mentor at Savannah College of Art and Design, Alex Newton, and peer Peggy. They sparked my interest in Editing and pushed me to become a better editor. Last but not least, my partner Elaine, who is currently a student at SCAD studying Sound Design. My life wouldn’t have been the same without her support and company. She always reminds me to be kind and patient.

Website: https://t6118allen.wixsite.com/achenediting

Instagram: al.c_87

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ren-chih-chen-802567201

Image Credits
Wen Jiang, Ben Li, Daisy Sun

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