Jasmine Liaw

B.F.A. in Film and Media Arts

Second Semester Junior

Expected Graduation Spring 2023

Being a multi-cultural “quirky art kid” in my family, my father jokingly said perhaps my name would appear on movie credits one day as I always stay till the end of credits while watching movies. That became my reason to be a filmmaker as I want to make my parents proud. Starting blank with America or film was never easy, I am very lucky to have Professor Perkins as my Sound Image and Motion Professor as he opened my gateway to filmmaking and has been walking with me on my journey since freshman year. I remember when Professor Perkins told me he knew what Hong Kong was and the support he gave when I did my visual storytelling assignment on the Hong Kong revolution. That marks the beginning of my filmmaking journey and my new goal is tell stories that are different and have not been told.

My strengths are sound mixing and producing. I have been a musician since 3 years old due to my parents forcing me to play violin and piano. As the rebellious art kid I was, I went into percussion instead at 6 and fell in love with music. Other than seeing music as my escape and way to express, I love how music and sound can tell stories, and I believe sound is important in storytelling and setting the tone and mood in film. I also enjoy producing as I am a very organized and detailed-oriented person. Time management has always been one of my biggest strengths and I love to assistant people in productions.

As I went to high school in Hong Kong, film classes were not offered, and it contributes to my weaknesses, cinematography and editing. I am lucky to have taken Cinematography with Professor Cockerham and learned about a lot of technical knowledge on cameras, but I still find it hard to take on the responsibilities as a cinematographer and always ensuring subject is in focus, light correctly. Editing has always been foreign to me as I am not good at remembering keyboard shortcuts or “fixing it in post”. I hope to learn more software such as After Effects and Davinci Resolve when I take Advanced Post-production next year to upgrade my visuals and storytelling.

After college, I hope to work for a production company on on-set film productions as I enjoy creating art with others a lot. Furthermore, I hope to focus on aspects of sound and work as a sound designer for films. On top of that, I would love to go on the path on being a voice actor as I speak multiple languages and I find joy in imitating film characters. Regarding my career path, I am just not going to throw away my shot and I look forward to my exciting filmmaking journey.