Motion Picture Editor
Denise Chan
STORYTELLING
It's the last rewrite. "To make David, I cut away everything that was not David," said Michelangelo. As the gatekeeper of your story, my role is to do the same. By staying on top of dailies, I focus on what truly matters and shape the material into a cohesive, resonant story that aligns with your vision, on time and on budget.
QUEEN CHARLOTTE (NETFLIX)
A BRIDGERTON STORY
Every scene has a key moment -- the reason it exists. Showrunner and writer Shonda Rhimes is a master of story, character, and dialogue, and my role is to help present the strongest version of her vision through the images captured by director Tom Verica and cinematographer Jeff Jur. My process begins with a close analysis of the script to identify where that key moment lives. Once found, I shape the sequence around it to ensure the edit delivers maximum impact. I also pay close attention to each episode’s pivotal turning point, knowing these scenes define the arc of the story and can ultimately make or break the episode.
BRIDGERTON (NETFLIX)
SEASON 3
Balancing multiple storylines in the same scene
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.
GHOST MONTH (INDE)
HORROR FEATURE
COMING SOON
DOCUMENTARY SHORT
SEARCHING FOR ANNA MAY WONG
Whether I am cutting a scripted narrative, trailer, or documentary, my focus is always the story. I believe every piece has one, no matter how brief. Even a ten-second clip contains setup, conflict, and resolution.
In the documentary short Searching for Anna May Wong, the filmmakers reached a creative wall midway through production. They had gathered dozens of interviews but struggled to identify the heart of the story. I was brought in to help revive the project. After reviewing more than 50 hours of footage, I chose to center the narrative on Natasha Liu, whose journey echoed the experiences of many Asian American actors working in Hollywood. Just as Anna May Wong fought for recognition in the industry’s early days, today’s actors continue to face similar challenges. By refining and focusing the narrative, I shaped a story that felt both timely and resonant, delivering the final cut in under a month and earning a promotion to film director.