Jack Yan Chen

12/07/2021

Muskoka Roastery Howlin’

Been on a bunch of long format projects since the start of the summer and after some much needed recharge time, I’m quite excited to share what I’ve been up to.

Up first is a few screengrabs of a documentary series for Muskoka Roastery. We were tasked with creating a few longer format stories that captures the spirit of the outdoors life. Just a small team but mighty team with a simple FX-6 and some Leica primes and probably about over 10,000 KM’s in the span of a month.

This first piece is about the Algonquin wolf, an endangered species native only to Algonquin park. It is a special Algonquin park tradition that attracts a lot of visitors, lead by a naturalist lead, calling out and hoping for a response.  

We chose large format with Leica primes specifically as the look and feel of the piece because we wanted everyone to feel like they are actually there, witnessing the journey.

Dir.
Producer.
Prod. .island
Sound:
Photo Stills:
Colour:

05/05/2021

What does it mean to struggle as an artist? Often times, I found myself frustrated, chasing a form of ideal perfection in my head that I can never reach. I’ve found myself often struggling with doubt. Doubting the quality of my work. Doubting the past choices and decisions I’ve made. Doubting my confidence as a creator in that, whatever I’m putting out into the world isn’t contributing to any meaningful.

There will always be that little voice in your head that jabs at your self-worth and how you and your work is viewed in the world. Ultimately, it’s important that we let go of it. Embrace in the emotions that engulfed us and embrace the journey that we are on, enjoying every step of the way.

This was the exact theme and story of Share, and when director came to me earlier this year with such a beautiful, and vulnerable script, I was instantly captivated

For this piece, the choice of a painterly quality to our visuals with a lot of texture was instinctive and natural. Most of the project was exposed at 1250 to 1600 ISO range with a double stacked low con and black frost filters to keep the exposure at a certain level to really bring out the grain detail. We discussed the various ways we can transition into the fantasy and reality worlds and ultimately, attempted to showcase the struggle without a single word spoken. Ultimately the story is about a painter, haunted by the demons in his mind so whenever we go into trouble on set, we tried to never forget that.

We let go of all conventions, and rules and just looked at creating imagery that conveyed the emotions of this journey and it was probably one of the most freeing experiences I’ve ever had shooting. All screen grabs are straight from camera.

Dir.
Prod.
PC.

Starring



Camera


Gaffer


Key Grip


Production Designer


Wardrobe Stylist


Hair and Make Up Artist


Behind the Scenes Documentary DP: .m.young_film

Huge Shout out to / for the constant support and gear!

03/09/2021

Really stoked to announce that No One’s in the Room just got nominated for a for Music Video of the Year 😳

Definitely an unforgettable experience to lens this crazy concept.

Director: absolutely crushed it!

Production .ruk

Creative Director:

Fingers crossed 🤞

11/12/2020

We let the dogs out 🐶😝

New work for featuring


Director:
Production:
Covid Officer:

Camera team: .m.young_film

Lighting:

HMUA: Earl Simpson
Script Supervisor:

VFX:
Colour:

1st AD:

Production Design:

Pup Squad: .holland91 .mal.poodles

Lighting and Camera gear

10/20/2020

New work for

Director

Production: .ent

AC / Lighting:
Production Design:
Art Assist:
BTS photographer:
Editor:
Colour:
Sound design:

09/25/2020

Had just the most amazing time getting all artsy and meta!

No One’s in the Room just dropped today!

Director:
Production:

Creative Director: .ruk

Looks, styling and overall glam:

Production Designer: .ent

DP: 🙋‍♂️

Gaffer:
Key grip:

Steadicam:
1st AC:
2nd AC:

Sliced and Diced

Colour:

Camera:

Lighting and Grip: AE

07/07/2020

Throwback to when summer meant endless sunny days and restless starry nights when the living was easy...

This was one of my favourite projects of 2019. Just a super 8mm with a whole bunch of rolls trying to capture that nostalgic end of summer vibes.

Crunchtime - Official Musicvideo

Direction:
Shot by: 🙋‍♂️

#5219

06/02/2020

04/16/2020

Getting a little bit stir crazy...
Dir.
Starring

04/16/2020

Getting a little stir crazy...
Directed by
Starring

10/01/2019

Some nostalgic end of summer vibes on with director and producer with Lots of fun shooting with a pushed Alexa on s16 mode. Major thanks for for the lighting support and and for coming in clutch with all the 16mm lenses! optics @ Scarborough Bluffs