Checkmate to Cinematography: A Young Filmmaker’s Journey (Wesley Wang)
Wesley’s journey to be a filmmaker begins with a unique origin: chess. Wesley, a young prodigy in the game, originally saw this as his future. However, his interest shifted when he became enamored with the world of cinema, particularly through films like “Whiplash” and “Inception.” These movies did more than entertain him; they inspired Wesley to pursue filmmaking and evoke emotions in others as these films had in him.
The beginnings of Wesley’s filmmaking journey were humble, marked by homemade videos that starred his family and friends and were shot with a simple DSLR Canon. Yet, these initial steps were crucial, laying the foundation for his future in film. Wesley’s story underscores a powerful message to youth: “[I started with just] small, [bad] things and I’d hire my friends as actors…. From there on, I kind of just improved my skills.” Despite the simplicity of these projects, they were the building blocks of his filmmaking skills, focusing on camera work and lighting. This is a testament to the fact that success often begins with small, imperfect steps.
Thanks to the vast amount of resources online, Wesley’s path from amateur to successful filmmaker was characterized by self-taught skills. “A lot of people say you need to go to film school… [but] do-it-yourself and learn by doing,” he explains. Wesley’s journey emphasizes the importance of initiative and the willingness to learn, demonstrating to young creators that their dreams are valid and achievable, regardless of their starting point or resources.
Wesley’s ambition wasn’t just to make movies; it was to make people feel something special.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of Wesley’s drive in the filmmaking world is his relentless pursuit of opportunity. As a high schooler with no connections in the industry, he took the initiative to reach out to professionals. He cold-emailed 200+ producers whose emails he found through IMDb Pro and film festival lists. This approach not only showcases the power of persistence but also serves as an inspiration for young individuals to take bold steps toward realizing their dreams.
His outreach eventually led to the production of his acclaimed short film, “nothing, except everything.” The process was as grassroots as it could get — involving crowdfunding, personal savings from teaching chess, and a lot of cold emails that eventually connected him with Oscar-shortlisted Scott Aharoni, the producer who saw potential in Wesley’s vision.
“nothing, except everything” not only showcased Wesley’s filmmaking ability but also struck a chord with its audience, accumulating millions of views on YouTube and even being incorporated into film school curriculums. The film’s resonance with young audiences highlighted a demand for authentic stories told by young directors.
Currently a student at Harvard, Wesley studies economics, not film. This choice reflects his belief in understanding what movies should be about rather than just how to make them. It’s a holistic approach to filmmaking that values narrative substance and audience connection over technical ability alone.
As Wesley Wang continues to navigate the complexities of the film industry, from independent shorts to feature films and the representation landscape, his vision remains unchanged: to inspire and empower young people.
“Have confidence!”
Wesley’s advice to aspiring young filmmakers is to have confidence — “I think a lot of people think, ‘I can’t do this.’ But you really can.” In today’s digital age, where content creation and distribution have been democratized, Wesley encourages young creators to believe in their ability to make an impact, regardless of their background or resources. Wesley encourages young creatives to learn, experiment, and most importantly, start creating.
