Lin Jerome Chia-Horng
Taiwanese videomaker
biography
Interview: 10 questions
1. Tell me something about your life and the educational background
I was trained to be an artist since I was in high school. I went to National Taiwan Normal University in Taiwan, majoring in Fine-Arts. A few years later, I went to Pratt Institute in New York city for my master degree in Computer Graphics an d Interactive Media. I currently live in Taipei City, Taiwan. I produce animations and teach in Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung city, Taiwan. In the mean time, I also paint oil paintings and I have exhibitions continuously.
2. When, how and why started you filming?
The first official 3D computer animation ‘Dainty’ is my thesis project producing in Pratt Institute at year 2000. It’s been selected into CYNETart 2000 (Dresden, Germany). After I graduated from Pratt Institute, I have been doing animations for living, mostly commercial assigned projects more than a decade. I always want to produce animation films for non-commercial purposes. Due to the time frame and budget limit, I can only produce some experimental pieces between projects gaps.
The embarking point happens at the end of year 2012 when I met the gallerist Albert Hsiao from East Gallery in Taipei cit, Taiwan. He offers me an opportunity to hold a solo show in Art Taipei 2013 which is also my first art fair show. Therefore we discuss several times about the content of the exhibition, the conclusion is that I would create several 3D computer animations based on my oil paintings. It took me a year to produce three animations for the show. Among them, two pieces are selected into Cologne OFF X. At year 2014, ‘The Path of Water’ is selected into total 10 international film festivals including a experimental award from International Short Film Festival FENACO Cusco Perú.
It’s a pretty good start for me to tranform my commercial career into an artist. I think I will keep on procucing animation from my art creations.
3. What kinds of topics have your films?
I have used the topic about water throughout a decade. I am still interested in anything related to water. I think water is just more fascinating than we can imagine. I paint many oil paintings about water as well. I am deeply attracted by it. I am currently working on another subcategory about the door and water. I like to focus on one issue for a long time.
4. How do you develop your films, do you follow certain principles, styles etc?
I am a visual artist to begin with. My concern is always about art. I have this procedure for years that I must paint my concept in paintings first. But they are more of independent artworks than concept art being attached to animations. This is pretty different from commercial projects.
5. Tell me something about the technical equipment you use.
Primarily I used 3D animation as the tool. It gets involved with many software including Maya, Real Flow, After effect and etc. I also like to try different means like hand draw animation and some filming. I make my studio multi-functional where I can also shoot some green screen footage. This is a way for a low-budget artist to survive by doing virtually everything by myself.
6. These days digital technology is dominating also video as a medium. In which way the digital aspect is entering the creation of your videos, technologically and/or conceptually?
I am the example of an artist who embraces both traditional medium and digital tools at the same time. As a matter of fact, digital tools are way more complicated to master in them. It took me many years to obtain the solid training in art, then many years again in learning digital tools. Many people have only patience for one thing.
Nowadays the trend seems to treat digital aspect as a unique and fashionable technique. For me, it’s a powerful tool but it remains as a tool. Audience seem to be impressed with the newness of this particular tool and place it in an mythical and idealized status. I have been using this tool enough to fell paralyzed about it. I strongly believe newness is just a blink of eye. The essence will remain but not the shallow newness.
7. How do you finance your films?
As a struggling artist, I have to rely on the income of teaching and doing some commercial projects. I hope I will generate more income from art as well as artistic animations.
8. Do you work individually as a video artist/film maker or do you work in a team?
if you have experience in both, what is the difference, what do you prefer?
I have experiences in both. They have pro and cons. I prefer to do art films by my own with a little assistance. This when I can enjoy some slow process. But I have to do commercial project with team members. I know the definitions between art and commercial are pretty vague now. But I have my way of determining them.
9. Who or what has a lasting influence on your film/video making?
It’s really hard to describe. I try not to be influenced by one particular individual. After all I want to establish my own style.
10. What are your future plans or dreams as a film/video maker?
I would like to have shows in Art museums. I hope both my oil paintings and animations will help me become an established artist globally. This is my goal.
Can works of yours viewed online besides on the CologneOFF platform? Where?
List some links & resources
https://vimeo.com/83300146
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqHFOKjEMS4