541 - Was Grinding As A PA For 20 Years Worth It For This Vietnamese-American Screenwriter? - Nick Huynh

How does a camera assistant with 20 years in the film business transition into co-writing a feature film released by Sony Pictures Classics?

In this episode, Ken sits down with Philadelphia-based writer, camera assistant, and filmmaker Nick Huynh. Nick shares his journey growing up in Northern Virginia, getting his start in theater at George Mason University, grinding through camera department roles for two decades on East Coast sets, and co-writing the quirky indie comedy-drama Ha Chan Shake Your Booty with director Joseph Kubota Vladica.

Nick opens up about the writing process during the pandemic, crafting emotional storylines around grief and ballroom dance, navigating career pivots in a shifting film industry, and the importance of representation and small independent storytelling.

Inside the Episode:

East Coast Roots: Growing up in Northern Virginia (Falls Church) and discovering a passion for story over acting at a New York Film Academy summer intensive.

Two Decades in Camera: Spending 20 years as a camera assistant, learning the nuts and bolts of filmmaking, and building a long-term career.

Writing Ha Chan Shake Your Booty: Partnering with long-time friend Joseph Kubota Vladica to write a film loosely inspired by amateur ballroom dance culture, grief, and Latin dance.

Balancing Comedy & Drama: Crafting awkward, cringey, yet deeply human moments that capture how people navigate loss and relationships.

The State of the Film Industry: Navigating industry shifts, career longevity, and the release of their film across 500+ theaters via Sony Pictures Classics.

Connect & Follow:

Film: Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! (Sony Pictures Classics)

The Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast