Alumni Blog: Zixia (Jessica) Cheng

Recent graduate Zixia (Jessica) Cheng writes an alumni blog chronicling the production of her 2024 thesis film, Lucky Shot.

Although I took an editing concentration, I decided to make my own thesis film.

At first I just wanted to tell a comedic tale of a young girl navigating the complexities of life, examining the absurdism of life and how we face it. In a world evolving at an unprecedented pace, I often feel overwhelmed and confused. I find myself questioning the essence of existence. How do we navigate uncertainty and the sacrifices we make in pursuit of our goals? My film seeks to spark introspection and contemplation about the universal challenges we all face. With the theme of absurdism, I try to address deeper discussion of the philosophical contradictions within life.

These ideas served as the foundation for a thirteen-page script titled Lucky Shot.

Collaborating closely with my producer and script supervisor, we successfully refined the script into a final version that fit within our budget. Transitioning into the pre-production phase, I secured a producer responsible for overseeing the budget, facilitating a seamless progression into the production stage. Working alongside a proficient casting director, I hosted an online audition for the first round, followed by an in-person session for the final selection. Once I identified the actors with the most compelling chemistry, my attention shifted to location searching. Teaming up with a skilled location manager, we successfully pinpointed two places that not only aligned with budget constraints but also surpassed my creative expectations.

Through communication, I conveyed the stylistic vision I envisioned for the project to my DP and PD. With the assistance of my producer, I meticulously refined the crew and equipment lists through a series of meetings, culminating in a locked-in schedule. Harnessing the expertise of my stylist and assistant director, we conducted a thorough rehearsal before the shoot to finalize wardrobe and makeup details. As a strategic prelude to the filming day, we ensured the coordination of resources by confirming and renting the required equipment one day in advance.

I encountered some problems during shooting.

Terrible weather condition and a relatively tight schedule created some inevitable conflicts. Navigating through this situation became a valuable lesson in maintaining a stable mental state and assuming responsibility as a director. With the steadfast support of my crew, I learned to manage my emotions and draw out the best in both myself and my team. Coincidentally, my obstacle on set mirrored my topic of this film – the uncertainty of life an individual may face.  Luckily, I worked things out and the rest of the shoot was a much more harmonious production environment.

I opted to take on the editing responsibilities myself.

I collaborated closely with my composer and assistant editor, working tirelessly to refine the project. Despite my challenges in the production process, the satisfaction derived from seeing my dedication materialize into a completed film made the entire journey worthwhile.

Submitting my thesis is such a relief to me. Being a first time director is such a big challenge, but seeing my film on the big screen made me feel that all of these efforts are worth it. The subsequent success of the production, despite its challenges, affirmed the value of taking responsibility and maintaining a professional attitude. I’m still trying to make films – no matter my own projects or others.