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Issue #64 – Mentor News
by L. Swift and Jeff McQ
Film Connection mentor Christine Chen is the founder and CEO of Moth to Flame Films, a full-service production company based in the vibrant film community of Austin, Texas. Her company takes on a wide range of projects, ranging from commercial work to music videos to video blogs to feature films. As such, Christine offers a unique take on “making it” in the industry, and her externs have access to a broad base of experience under her mentoring.
We caught up recently with Christine toward the end of South-By-Southwest (SXSW) in Austin. During our conversation, she offered insights into the importance of having passion for the work, and what it takes to make it in the business today. She also talked about what she looks for in an extern, her unique perspective on parents’ concerns for their kids who want to get into film, and even bragged a bit on some of her students. Highlights from the conversation are below!
RRFC: So when a potential student comes in to interview with you, what’s the biggest quality you’re looking for?
Christine: Honestly, there’s a few. Enthusiasm is one of them, a clear passion for it. Someone who is proactive, someone who does not—who isn’t going to sit there and think that someone’s going to hand them something. Who’s there, who’s willing to take the chance, take the initiative to get what they want out of the program. Actually, those two [things]: If you are passionate, and if you have the guts and the drive to get what you want, it’s really all you need. The other stuff you can learn right on the set. When I walked on the set, I didn’t know what a “slate” was but now I’ve probably made more films than some people who have gone to film school. You just have to have that drive, and that’s what I look for.
RRFC: Do any of your current externs stand out for you?
Christine: Kellie [Koford] is great…She was excited about a new chapter in her life, and she didn’t know what to expect, but she came in with an open heart with the mentality that she would do whatever it takes to try to give her dream a chance. I love people like that. I don’t need someone who comes in saying they know everything. She came in saying, “I will do whatever,” and she was very enthusiastic…Kenny [Horton] is really great as well, he’s great because he actually came in with some experience so it was really easy to get him to jump in. I like people who are proactive, and they’re excited to learn. Those two stand out at this point, definitely.
RRFC: What do you particularly enjoy about being a mentor?
Christine: I enjoy mentoring a lot. I think mentoring helps me learn as well, because students have questions on what I always took for granted…I just watched a documentary [here at SXSW] on Michelin-starred restaurants, and one of the chefs said, “Hey I want my mentee to pass me because that means I did a good job.” I kind of feel that way, too. I think if you can get other people to love it just as much as you do, in the end it’s all good for everybody, because we all brace each other up.
RRFC: Why do you love making films so much?
Christine: For me, it is the ability to affect people emotionally in telling a story. That’s the part I like the most. I wouldn’t say I’m an introvert, but I can be at times, and I just keep to myself, so it’s a way for me to feel like I’ve touched someone or affected someone in an emotional way, and I like that. I think people will remember things more if it’s affected them in an emotional way, and I think media is extremely impactful because of that…I also love the process of it, being able to work with a bunch of different people who also have their own ideas as well. Finding how you all mesh together.
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