MING
MING is a short film about a Chinese immigrant paper cutter living in New York and
trying to make a living from his art. This was my first project in graduate school that
defined my visual esthetic and voice as a filmmaker. I connected deeply with this project
because it conveyed my ability to shoot and create a strong visual piece that had a
deeper universal narrative. My main character struggled with his past and was hesitant
in doing any interviews. Challenges around this project taught me the value of gaining
trust and using an acute sensitivity to tell a personal story. As a result, the film created a
deeper narrative about loss and reached a greater audience beyond my academic
community.