[FRAMED]: Chingtien Chu, Lighting Artist, CHI

[FRAMED] exists to shine light on Framestore’s most fascinating cast of characters: its people. Presented with a probing list of questions and a demandingly short deadline, this feature puts the hopes, dreams, and desktops of our MVPs on the digital wall, for all to see. Welcome to [FRAMED].

What are you guilty of?

Not enough exercise.

What was your last brush with danger?

A knife fell from my kitchen countertop and almost hit me. Thank goodness there was a trash can between it and my feet.

Your last brush with greatness?

I somehow found a way to fix a bug in Substance Painter without losing my work from the previous few hours.

Your worst character fault?

I can’t stop thinking and worrying about things that are on my ‘to do’ list (even the ones I have already completed). They just keep circling around in my head.

If you had taken a different path, what would you be doing now?

Doing a job that allowed me to explore the world.

You’re on the run from the law, where are you headed?

I am from an island off Taiwan, so I would probably go back and hide in a secret place there.

What’s your favorite movie/TV show and why?

Any films from Studio Ghibli, especially those directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The way he portrays characters, relationships between characters and environments, his unique art and animation style… everything is just SO good.

Your greatest achievement?

Finished eight seasons of Game of Thrones in one month.

Most valuable skill?

A good sense of direction.

Go on, say something bragging:

I am a humble person.

Name your vice/pet peeve?

When people don’t wash their hands before touching things.

The DREAM project would entail:

The right group of people who can happily work on a beautiful project and feel inspired. Oh, and (most importantly) a comfortable schedule.

Your career highlight to date:

First time seeing my name on the big screen.

This week I learnt that:

A lot of studio-sized apartments in LA don’t have a proper kitchen.

What’s your current view?

Sunshine, a small street with some cars, trees, and a neighbor’s garage.

Give us a desk tour [personal items, tools, software]:

Framstore’s monitor, keyboard, headphone, mouse, a few pens, a bunch of paper, and a polaroid camera with few films.

What do you need to work, on the daily?

Water and to stretch my body.

Framestore is, to you, in three words:

Collaborative, talented, friendly.

Best thing about your work environment?

There is a kitchen with food.

Framestore is great at:

Creating great images.

Favorite artform?

Movies or architecture.

Favorite image?

Any photos that include my family.

Fictional character you’d like to hang with?

Most people reading this likely won’t be familiar with the anime character Doraemon… but with him, everything is possible.

Happiness looks like:

Floating in the sky.

If not here, then where?

Anywhere in Japan.

What do you think of too often?

Travel.

And not enough?

Money and time.

Couldn’t live without:

Ramen.

If you ruled the world:

Save the earth.

How are you staying inspired by working remotely?

Podcasts, YouTube, and exploring Chicago.

How are you spending your weekends?

Mostly biking around the city.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about yourself during quarantine?

My commute really took a lot of time out of each day.

Chingtien Chu, you’ve been [FRAMED].