Motion Picture Editor
Denise Chan
STORY TELLING
The last re-write. "To make David, I cut away everything that wasn't David." says Michelangelo. As the gatekeeper of your story, my goal is to deliver your vision of David - on time and on budget.
A BRIDGERTON STORY
QUEEN CHARLOTTE (NETFLIX)
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 stunning images captured by director Tom Verica and cinematographer Jeff Jur. My process begins with a close analysis of the script to pinpoint where that key moment lives. Once identified, I shape the sequence around it, ensuring the edit delivers maximum impact. I also pay special attention to each episode’s pivotal turning point, knowing these scenes can define the arc of the story—and, ultimately, make or break the episode.
BRIDGERTON (NETFLIX)
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. I stay on top of dailies to ensure all the elements are in place to tell a cohesive story.
Balancing Multiple Storylines in the same scene
SEASON 2
GHOST MONTH (INDE)
HORROR FEATURE
TBD
DOCUMENTARY SHORT
SEARCHING FOR ANNA MAY WONG
Whether I’m cutting a scripted narrative, trailer, or documentary, my focus is always the story. I believe every piece—no matter how brief—has one. Even a ten-second clip contains setup, conflict, and resolution.
​
In the documentary short Searching for Anna May Wong, the filmmakers hit a creative wall midway through production. They had gathered dozens of interviews but struggled to find the story’s heart. I was brought in to revive the project. After reviewing more than 50 hours of footage, I chose to center the narrative on Natasha Liu, whose journey echoed the struggles of many Asian American actors in Hollywood. Just as Anna May Wong fought for recognition in the industry’s early days, today’s actors face similar challenges. By honing 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 director.