Produce Films in College

Who: Philip Chen, film producer with Nexo Productions & VP of Finance for APSC

[In his eyes]

How did you get involved with Nexo productions at Penn? And what advice do you have for aspiring creators in the film/video space to find opportunities?

I joined Nexo in the fall of Sophomore year after seeing the amazing projects they have worked throughout my Freshman year. A good friend was in it and recommended me to apply, so I went through the process and the rest is history. Nexo is a student-led production company on campus that makes professional marketing video for various local companies including Penn itself. It was great to be part of an amazing community of filmmakers, scriptwriters and other like-minded students.

I have loved the entertainment industry ever since I was a little kid. I did a few actor jobs here and here throughout my childhood and made multiple short films throughout high school which led me to really fall in love with storytelling, whether on stage or through a lens. Eventually I realized how rewarding it was to create digital content that makes audiences laugh, cry or inspire because media will always be an integral and influential part of our lives. My advice to aspiring creators is to continue practicing your craft and to find your community whether on campus, or in your life.

The media landscape is continuously evolving and thus it is crucial for those interested in the digital media space to keep up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and filmic techniques. By continuously creating content whether a short promotional video for a club or a full-blown short film it is crucial to keep practicing what you love and that’s how you become the best filmmaker you can be. In addition, find people in your life that also share the same passion as you. Whether be joining a media club on campus or simply signing up for a cinema studies class, finding a network of like-minded students will be a fantastic resource to help you reach your goals.

Have you ever run into difficulties executing on your ideas while or because of being Asian?

While I personally have not had any difficulties executing ideas as an Asian, Asian diversity in the industry still remains a hotly contested issue. Asians are still vastly underrepresented and most worryingly misrepresented in Hollywood. With shows like Fresh off the Boat achieving commercial successful, I believe the change is definitely happening however it still makes me cringe to see my culture regularly portrayed as the math geek, the immigrant, the doctor or the Kung-Fu warrior. Yes, while these characteristics might be evident in our culture, they do not define our culture. Asian-Americans have far more interesting stories than those of what Hollywood is willing to show.

With the rise of screenwriters like Alan Young (co-creator of Master of None) I believe that Asian filmmakers and content creators are becoming more and more prolific in the industry. However, there is still a long way to go, I do hope that more and more young Asian students fall in love with the entertainment industry and help make the changes so desperately needed.

What's a favorite movie of yours that's underrated or unknown? Why?

My favorite movie that is completely underrated and often unknown is Melancholia by the controversial Danish director Lars Von Trier. Often regarded as one of the best films of the decade, the film stars Kristen Dunst and follows two sisters at a wedding as the earth is about to end. The stunning visual imagery and underlying motifs throughout the film are both breath-taking and thought provoking. The film is a great example of the modern arthouse movement in which the film follows a non-traditional narrative structure with non-naturalistic elements interweaved between a modern storyline. The film was also inspired by a depressive episode by the director and provides insight into the psychological state of depression. This film is a must see for all cinema lovers out there and was actually the inspiration for a short-film I made while in high school.

Photographed & captured by blvd eye while documenting the style of street. A collaboration with the Asian Pacific Student Coalition at the University of Pennsylvania.

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