Get swept away with your fellow alums for a discussion of all things film with a directors’ commentary and Q & A panel of Edwin Chang’s (‘06) SparkShort Wind and Director of Photography, Lighting Andrew Pienaar’s (‘01) work on Out!
About Wind
Set in a world of magical realism, “Wind” sees a grandmother and her grandson trapped deep down an endless chasm, scavenging debris that surrounds them to realize their dream of escaping to a better life.
About Out
On an average day, Greg’s life is filled with family, love and a rambunctious little dog, but despite all of this, Greg has a secret. Today is different, though. With some help from his precocious pup, and a little bit of magic, Greg might learn he has nothing to hide.
We are also delighted to have local Filmmaker Debbie Lum ‘91 moderating the panel. Lum’s latest film, Try Harder, will be premiering at Sundance in January.
Registrants will be given a link to watch the shorts 24 hours prior to the event.
Join us! Sunday January 17, 2021 5 pm PST
Guests Edwin Chang ‘06, Shot Supervisor, Spark Shorts Director and Writer of WIND, joined Pixar Animation Studios in 2005 as a global technology intern and has since worked in simulation and crowds on several Academy Award®-winning films such as “Up,” “Inside Out,” and “Coco.” He also worked on theme park attractions including “Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage'' and “Toy Story Midway Mania!” Chang was the Simulation Supervisor on “Inside Out'' and the Crowds and Simulation Supervisor on “Cars 3.” Chang wrote and directed “Wind,” which is part of Pixar’s SparkShorts program and is currently streaming on Disney+. Most recently, he worked in simulation on “Soul” which will debut on Disney+ on December 25, 2020. Chang is currently the Shot Supervisor on an unannounced Pixar project. Raised in Hancock Park and Koreatown in Los Angeles, Chang first explored animation and computer graphics in high school. He went on to participate in a summer program in animation at the California Institute for the Arts (CSSSA), and studied computer science and art semiotics at Brown University, leading to his internship with Pixar. After graduating, he returned to Pixar and has been there ever since. Chang currently resides in Emeryville, CA.
Andrew Pienaar ‘01, Lighting Lead, started at Pixar Animation Studios in June, 2001. Since joining Pixar, he has worked on a number of Pixar features, short films, theme park rides, and more. Pienaar has worked on several Academy Award®-winning films including “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “WALL•E,” “Up,” “Toy Story 3,” “Brave,” and “Coco.” He was most recently the director of photography for lighting on the SparkShorts film “Out,” which is currently streaming on Disney+. Pienaar is currently working as a lighting lead on Disney and Pixar’s upcoming feature film, “Luca,” which is set to release in theaters on June 18, 2021. Prior to Pixar, Pienaar graduated from Brown University where he received a Bachelor of Sciences in Computer Science. Born in Durban, South Africa, Pienaar moved to Toronto, Canada at the age of four where he lived until attending Brown University. Pienaar currently lives in San Francisco.
Moderator Debbie Lum ‘91 is an award-winning filmmaker whose documentaries have given voice to the Asian American experience and other unsung stories. Her upcoming film, TRY HARDER!, which follows seniors at San Francisco’s iconic Lowell High School as they try hard to get into an elite American university, will premiere at Sundance, 2021. SEEKING ASIAN FEMALE, her feature-length debut, premiered at SXSW, aired on PBS' Independent Lens, won Best of Fest (Silverdocs), Outstanding Director (LA Asian Pacific Film Festival) and was featured in This American Life. Her editing credits include A.K.A DON BONUS (winner, National Emmy), KELLY LOVES TONY (nominee, IDA Best Documentary), and TO YOU SWEETHEART, ALOHA. She graduated from Brown ‘91 and has an MFA in Cinema from San Francisco State University.