Screening and Filmmaker Q&A:             {download PDF flyer}

Lawrence Chen is a film and commercial director from Beijing, China. He attended Duke University from 2005 - 2009, graduating with an Economics major and certificates in Markets and Management Studies and Film/Video/Digital (now AMI). During his time at Duke he was always involved in film in one way or another. A big part of his Duke experience was Duke University Improv, Freewater Productions, ASA’s Lunar New Year, as well as DefMo, all organizations that gave him a lot of freedom to create short films. During his sophomore year summer he also traveled to Kenya with the Students of the World organization to film a documentary.

After graduation, Chen briefly worked at a digital media agency in San Francisco, before leaving to direct in NYC. There he won several spec commercial competitions, directed music videos, and was hired as an assistant broadcast producer at ad agency BBDO NY. On the side he continued to direct spec spots and music videos for bands like Delta Rae. A couple years ago a new head of production decided to build a production company within the agency and Lawrence was asked to be a commercial director and creative lead there. Since then, he has directed TV commercials, branded content, online films, and social videos for brands such as GE, Foot Locker, FedEx, Snickers, etc.

Works to be screened:

SHORTS:
Journey to the West (2009, 5:30 min)
A rural cobbler travels to Beijing to discover a world completely unlike his own.

Made in China (2011, 3:45 min)
In a beautiful village in China, a toy robot learns what it means to live.

The Bride Price (2015, 8:15 min)
A young man proposes to his girlfriend, but her family demands significant monetary compensation in return for her hand.

Parallels (2015, 2:05 min)
In order to escape a gang of laser gun-wielding anonymous henchmen, a man activates a kinetic time travel device.

Project Deimos (2015, 2:55 min)
Stranded on an alien planet next to a mysterious device, a man seeks to find his missing wife.

COMMERCIALS:
GE China - "First Flight" (2014, 1:40 min)

Foot Locker ft. James Harden - "HORSE" (2014, 4:50 min)
Branded content and interactive film pitching the internet against James Harden in a game of virtual HORSE. Won 6 Lions at the 2015 Cannes Lions.

Ad Council - "Dance" (2014, 2:45 min)

GE - "Mark Frontera" (2014, 2:10 min)

MUSIC VIDEOS:
Delta Rae -"Bottom of the River" (2011, 2:40 min)
Alex Wong - "Oceanside" (2012, 4:35 min)
Mike Posner - "My Light" (2013, 3:25 min)
Aloe Blacc - "Ticking Bomb" (2014, 4:00 min)
Delta Rae - "Scared" (2015, 3:35 min)

Cost: Free and open to the public

Sponsors: The Program in the Arts of the Moving Image (AMI)