Sometimes you have to jump before you know where you’re going to land.
Imagine being a kid playing with action figures like G.I. Joe. Can you imagine growing up to become a Hollywood film director and directing the G.I. Joe movie?
That’s exactly what happened to Jon Chu, this week’s guest. You may know him as the director of G.I. Joe, Step Up 2, Justin Bieber’s Believe and Never Say Never, and Now You See Me 2.
Today I’m talking to Jon about what it takes to become a studio director in Hollywood, his path of creativity, and the inner workings of the movie world. Listen in to hear him talk about how his sense of play as a child helped fuel his creativity, why he doesn’t think film school is for everyone, and why you should always be creating, even between projects.
Thanks for listening. Let’s dive in.
The idea of love and how we love or hate each other, that journey is so part of our existence.
[smart_track_player url=”https://soundcloud.com/nickonken/jon-chu” title=”How to Direct Blockbuster Movies” artist=”Jon Chu” image=”https://nionlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/69_JonChu_NIONradio_02.jpg” color=”#de4b9b” ]
Some things we learn in this podcast:
- What it was like growing up in the Bay Area in the 1980s [3:20]
- The moment he knew he wanted to work in film [4:10]
- How his sense of play helped build his creativity [6:40]
- The surrealism of directing GI Joe [9:25]
- Why film school isn’t for everybody [10:40]
- How Steven Spielberg helped jump start his career [16:10]
- How the directing process starts early [19:55]
- The importance of growing in your craft [23:30]
- Why he keeps making stuff even when he’s between projects [25:20]
- What it’s like to lose a project [27:20]
- Why it’s great to be around people who are creating [32:20]
- The importance of family [33:55]
- How fear can stop you [37:20]
- His definition of success [41:10]
- The process of making a movie [48:25]
- How to deal with people’s opinions of your work [51:50]
- Why you have to position yourself for things to work out [58:05]
- Why he wants people to know they’re not alone [1:00:10]
- Why he looks up to Walt Disney [1:02:05]
Links mentioned:
- Check out the Princess Grace Foundation
- Music Credit: Jump the River by Léo Lunel
11/10/15
69: Jon Chu – How to Direct Blockbuster Movies
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BRAND INTELLIGENCE
CREATIVE INTELLIGENCE
LIFE INTELLIGENCE
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CULTIVATING YOUR VISUAL UNIQUENESS AND STREAMLINING YOUR BRAND'S EVOLUTION
infuse your vision with a fresh breath of creativity and vitality
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GET THE DETAILS
infuse your vision with a fresh breath of creativity and vitality
Hey! I'm Nick.
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TEACHER
My mission is to amplify your self-expression, elevating your consciousness and enhancing your presence. Journeying across the globe, I capture your unique story to ensure you radiate brilliance - worldwide.
BOOK A BRAND PHOTOSHOOT
masterfully aligning perception and reality through personal branding
LET'S CONSPIRE & CREATE
CULTIVATING YOUR VISUAL UNIQUENESS AND STREAMLINING YOUR BRAND'S EVOLUTION
Sometimes you have to jump before you know where you’re going to land.
Imagine being a kid playing with action figures like G.I. Joe. Can you imagine growing up to become a Hollywood film director and directing the G.I. Joe movie?
That’s exactly what happened to Jon Chu, this week’s guest. You may know him as the director of G.I. Joe, Step Up 2, Justin Bieber’s Believe and Never Say Never, and Now You See Me 2.
Today I’m talking to Jon about what it takes to become a studio director in Hollywood, his path of creativity, and the inner workings of the movie world. Listen in to hear him talk about how his sense of play as a child helped fuel his creativity, why he doesn’t think film school is for everyone, and why you should always be creating, even between projects.
Thanks for listening. Let’s dive in.
The idea of love and how we love or hate each other, that journey is so part of our existence.
[smart_track_player url=”https://soundcloud.com/nickonken/jon-chu” title=”How to Direct Blockbuster Movies” artist=”Jon Chu” image=”https://nionlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/69_JonChu_NIONradio_02.jpg” color=”#de4b9b” ]
Some things we learn in this podcast:
- What it was like growing up in the Bay Area in the 1980s [3:20]
- The moment he knew he wanted to work in film [4:10]
- How his sense of play helped build his creativity [6:40]
- The surrealism of directing GI Joe [9:25]
- Why film school isn’t for everybody [10:40]
- How Steven Spielberg helped jump start his career [16:10]
- How the directing process starts early [19:55]
- The importance of growing in your craft [23:30]
- Why he keeps making stuff even when he’s between projects [25:20]
- What it’s like to lose a project [27:20]
- Why it’s great to be around people who are creating [32:20]
- The importance of family [33:55]
- How fear can stop you [37:20]
- His definition of success [41:10]
- The process of making a movie [48:25]
- How to deal with people’s opinions of your work [51:50]
- Why you have to position yourself for things to work out [58:05]
- Why he wants people to know they’re not alone [1:00:10]
- Why he looks up to Walt Disney [1:02:05]
Links mentioned:
- Check out the Princess Grace Foundation
- Music Credit: Jump the River by Léo Lunel
11/10/15
69: Jon Chu – How to Direct Blockbuster Movies
infuse your vision with a fresh breath of creativity and vitality
BOOK A BRAND PHOTOSHOOT
GET THE DETAILS
GET THE DETAILS
infuse your vision with a fresh breath of creativity and vitality
PODCAST
BRAND INTELLIGENCE
CREATIVE INTELLIGENCE
LIFE INTELLIGENCE
Hey! I'm Nick.
PHOTOGRAPHER
BRAND ALCHEMIST
TEACHER
At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia.
masterfully aligning perception and reality through personal branding
masterfully aligning perception and reality through personal branding
Sometimes you have to jump before you know where you’re going to land.
Imagine being a kid playing with action figures like G.I. Joe. Can you imagine growing up to become a Hollywood film director and directing the G.I. Joe movie?
That’s exactly what happened to Jon Chu, this week’s guest. You may know him as the director of G.I. Joe, Step Up 2, Justin Bieber’s Believe and Never Say Never, and Now You See Me 2.
Today I’m talking to Jon about what it takes to become a studio director in Hollywood, his path of creativity, and the inner workings of the movie world. Listen in to hear him talk about how his sense of play as a child helped fuel his creativity, why he doesn’t think film school is for everyone, and why you should always be creating, even between projects.
Thanks for listening. Let’s dive in.
The idea of love and how we love or hate each other, that journey is so part of our existence.
[smart_track_player url=”https://soundcloud.com/nickonken/jon-chu” title=”How to Direct Blockbuster Movies” artist=”Jon Chu” image=”https://nionlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/69_JonChu_NIONradio_02.jpg” color=”#de4b9b” ]
Some things we learn in this podcast:
- What it was like growing up in the Bay Area in the 1980s [3:20]
- The moment he knew he wanted to work in film [4:10]
- How his sense of play helped build his creativity [6:40]
- The surrealism of directing GI Joe [9:25]
- Why film school isn’t for everybody [10:40]
- How Steven Spielberg helped jump start his career [16:10]
- How the directing process starts early [19:55]
- The importance of growing in your craft [23:30]
- Why he keeps making stuff even when he’s between projects [25:20]
- What it’s like to lose a project [27:20]
- Why it’s great to be around people who are creating [32:20]
- The importance of family [33:55]
- How fear can stop you [37:20]
- His definition of success [41:10]
- The process of making a movie [48:25]
- How to deal with people’s opinions of your work [51:50]
- Why you have to position yourself for things to work out [58:05]
- Why he wants people to know they’re not alone [1:00:10]
- Why he looks up to Walt Disney [1:02:05]
Links mentioned:
- Check out the Princess Grace Foundation
- Music Credit: Jump the River by Léo Lunel
11/10/15
69: Jon Chu – How to Direct Blockbuster Movies
infuse your vision with a fresh breath of creativity and vitality
BOOK A BRAND PHOTOSHOOT
masterfully aligning perception and reality through personal branding
GET THE DETAILS
GET THE DETAILS
infuse your vision with a fresh breath of creativity and vitality
LET'S CONSPIRE & CREATE
CULTIVATING YOUR VISUAL UNIQUENESS AND STREAMLINING YOUR BRAND'S EVOLUTION
About the Blogger
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I was born in a low middle class conservative religious family in the suburbs of Seattle. Art was and always has been my passion, and more than that a way of life. Starting as a graphic designer, I taught myself photography, built a commercial/editorial business shooting for the worlds biggest brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, Adidas and more. I've also had the opportunity to photograph the world's biggest celebrities like Justin Bieber, Usher, Jessica Alba and more. I've curated a lifestyle around creativity and have learned a lot along the way which I get to share here.
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