Interview
Blake Huang
Originally from Taiwan, it is Blake’s mission to bring out the experience of storytelling, and achieve something wonderful for the audience to remember. Blake works professionally in many roles of filmmaking. Video editing to her is like playing a puzzle, assembling all the pieces of the story in the right place, sharing but also challenging the director's perspective. Blake enjoys putting together the hard work of the crew to achieve our collective vision in storytelling. As for Sound Design, it's amazing how much Blake can use sound to manipulate the audience and affect the storytelling. Not only to make the film more realistic, but also to support the visual and the audience's experience seamlessly. Blake also does Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) as a side gig on set, because she enjoys the atmosphere at film productions with everybody working hard to craft the storytelling together. Additionally, her photography works give her a break, inspire and bring her different angles to look at the world.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I moved to Chicago from Taiwan to study Film and Television Art. I started working in the industry after graduating from Columbia College Chicago, and have diverse experiences in production and post-production roles, such as Digital Imaging Technician, Video Editor, and Sound Designer. My works blend a wide range of genres including commercials, short films , documentaries and instructional videos. My journey in the art world started as I discovered the emotions that film and T.V. can bring to people, and I want to be a part of the magic that delivers the sensational and emotional impact.”
What inspires you?
“The famous director Robert Altman once said, ‘Filmmaking is a chance to live many lifetimes.’ To me as a filmmaker, I can enter a different life in each project, and bring that world to the audience. Movies and T.V. shows are more than just entertainment: they are topics to discuss and to quote from, family rituals, shared experiences, trends, social commentary, and forms of escapism. We as filmmakers are making these dreams come true; we are creating a reality for people when their most unreachable dream actually happens on screen: where they can have a beautiful romance story, a great adventure, become heroes and villains, and be whoever they want. That is the power of film, and that is what inspires me to make movies.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“At the beginning of my career, I worked on as many projects as possible in many different genres, but I’m passionate about short form fictional themes the most. With my storytelling vision and fast paced editing style, my works can be found in Sci-Fi, action and drama categories. Considering my role in filmmaking, often I’m not the one who decides the underlying message, but the one who attaches it into the film and makes sure it is delivered to the audience. But I’d like my work to contain the elements that require a deeper thinking from the viewers, and with different points of view, people can interpret different underlying messages behind my films. And that is the style of storytelling that I often like to pursue.”
How would you describe your work?
“Video editing and sound designing are the types of crafts that the more invisible they are the better. My work is to engage the audience into the story and bring them out from the theater, living room tv, or even a cell phone screen into the new world that they’re watching. I will describe my work as a form of escapism. Me as a filmmaker is making these dreams come true; we are creating a reality for people when their most unreachable dream actually happens on screen: where they can have a beautiful romance story, great adventure, become heroes and villains, and be whoever they want. That is the power of film, and that is how I want to be remembered: a filmmaker, a dream maker.”
Which artists influence you most?
“In the world of filmmaking, it is more often the work of the artists that influenced me. And the one that inspired me to go on the filmmaking road and influenced me the most is the movie ‘Inception’ by Christopher Nolan. I was young when the movie came out, the creative plot twists and impactful visuals opened my mind, and it was a tremendous experience to watch it in the theater. It felt like I was in the world and went on the adventure with the characters. That’s the moment I knew I wanted to create magic like that and influence the next generation. It was not until I moved to Chicago that I started watching movies in the theater every week, and that was when I got inspired again by ‘Everything, Everywhere, All At Once’ by Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan. The creators of the movie are like a group of friends having fun making movies, and it hits me with the fact how important the passion towards a project is, and how the people I work with should share the same enthusiasm and vision. Ever since those two movies, it has become clear of what I’m looking for in filmmaking, where I want my career to be, and the kind of work I want to create and be remembered.”
“My work is to engage the audience into the story and bring them out from the theater, living room tv, or even a cell phone screen into the new world that they’re watching.”
What is your creative process like?
“As a Post-Production based filmmaker, I often being brought on-board in different status of the film, sometimes it’s in pre-production and a draft script is the only materials we have; sometimes it’s in production and I can go on-set to oversee the shooting process; sometimes it’s already edited by someone else and I have to adapt it into my style. However, my very first step of the creative process is always to understand and digest the project no matter which status it is. Not only just communicate with the production team, but also do my own research on the topic, even watch some reference films or materials. After officially starting the business, I’d like to have my own time to interpret the script and edit, list out every single sound effect needed, and work on them in portions.
Post-production work is very time and energy consuming, besides the creative part there are actually a lot of problem solving aspects and it always challenges us both mentally and physically. Breaks for me are very important elements of my creative process, not only to strike for work life balance, but also refresh my brain and point-of-view, and I often have a brand new vision and inspiration after taking a break from the project. Lastly, taking criticism and finalizing the project. Filmmaking is a team work, my job is to use my creativity to accomplish the visuals of the team and the storytelling. Thus, it is important to not only just take in all the feedback but also challenge the Director’s thoughts. And after everything is set and ready to go, there are many rounds of quality check and format setting to adapt the film into different screening environments. And finally, archive the project with all the materials. But the truth is, a project is never finished until no one cares to make any changes anymore. There’s no right answer in the world of art, so my creative process can last from days to years, or even my entire life, that is the power of filmmaking - it's a life-long project.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“The stereotype about artists is that they don’t make money, but art is what we all live for: it fuels the human spirit. We turn to art in our most vulnerable moments, and we don’t have connection without it. Throughout all forms of art, we emphasize the impact art can have on our bonds with others, and how art can paint a vibrant picture of the emotions we are struggling to express. I hope to make films that touch the audience, are remembered, and hold unique meanings. In doing this, I hope to change the stereotype of artists, and display to the world the role of the artist in society - maintaining humanity. I hold the belief that artists are crucial to humanity, and their importance can be compared to highly regarded fields like law or medicine. While these esteemed occupations undoubtedly play essential roles in individual well-being, I believe that the endeavors of artists are equally vital in enhancing the overall human experience. Filmmakers, in their roles as storytellers and visual poets, have the capacity to reflect on, challenge, and inspire society. Through capturing the human condition, they contribute to a collective narrative that lasts over generations.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“‘For women, By Women Galler’ is one of the most breath-taking exhibitions I’ve participated in. It’s a multimedia exhibit that showcases anything about women and feminism. As a woman myself, I was touched by some really creative painting, photography, and even short films. The exhibition was planned and held by Columbia faculty and students, but the gallery was opened to the public and the works are to honor all the female artists and feminism representatives around the world. I truly cherish the opportunity to showcase my works in the exhibition back in Spring 2023, it means everything to see the audience watching my film and admiring my photography works.”
