Denise Chan
Motion Picture Editor
STORY TELLING
"To make David, I cut away everything that wasn't David." says Michelangelo.
As the gatekeeper of your story, my goal is to deliver your vision of David - on time and on budget.
A BRIDGERTON STORY
QUEEN CHARLOTTE (NETFLIX)
Every scene has a "key moment", the reason for its existence. I always analyze the script to identify where this key moment lives before I start any work. Once determined, I craft my sequence to deliver maximum impact, centered around this key moment. Each episode also has a pivotal point in its arc, and the scene above represents that turning point. I pay special attention when building such scenes because they can make or break an episode
BRIDGERTON (NETFLIX)
Bridgerton features a large ensemble cast and frequently intertwines multiple storylines within a single scene, requiring a seamless blend. In the clip above, several shifts in story, pace, and tone unfold within two brief scenes, further complicated by intricate blocking, staging, and elaborate camera setups. I ensured that key moments were conveyed with both elegance and brevity. This scene was very well received, and made it to air with minimal changes.
Balancing Multiple Storylines in the same scene
SEASON 2
DOCUMENTARY SHORT
SEARCHING FOR ANNA MAY WONG
Whether it's a scripted narrative, trailer, or documentary, I have a strong grasp of the essential structure of compelling storytelling. My goal is to help filmmakers build a solid foundation for their films—from introducing the world and characters to shaping the inciting incident, point of no return, obstacles, rising stakes, climax, and resolution. I stay on top of dailies to ensure all the elements are in place to tell a cohesive story.
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In the documentary short Searching for Anna May Wong, the filmmakers hit a creative wall midway through production. They had gathered a wealth of interviews but struggled to pinpoint the story they wanted to tell. I was brought in to rescue the project. After reviewing over 50 hours of footage, I chose to focus on one central character, Natasha Liu, whose journey paralleled the struggles faced by many Asian American actors in Hollywood. Just as Anna May Wong battled for recognition in the early days of the industry, today's Asian American actors continue to confront similar challenges. By refining the narrative, I was able to craft a story that felt both timely and significant, delivering the final cut in under a month—and earning a promotion to director.