Fourteen-year-old Natalie Chien is the winner of the Sing for Hope Music Video Student Award, as well as first place in the Middle School Creative category, at the 20th Annual MY HERO International Film Festival. Chien’s video accompanies her original song, Viva La Veta, in which she highlights the work of Veta La Palma, a fish farm in Andalusia, Spain. You can watch Viva La Veta here.
Natalie Chien attends the MY HERO Film Festival, Nov. 16, 2024. Myron McClure Photography/The MY HERO Project
Natalie Chien’s journey to creating Viva La Veta began whilst she was in elementary school. She didn’t enjoy learning, found it difficult to engage with her classes, and spent most of her free time on social media and playing video games. “I didn’t think learning was important,” she told MY HERO, “When you’re a kid, there are no real-world consequences to earning bad grades. They’re just letters on a page.” However, Chien’s attitude towards learning completely changed when her father came across Clarissa Ngo, educator and founder of Imaginate Ink. Ms. Ngo encouraged Chien to apply herself and engage with learning in a way she had not previously experienced; they worked on creative projects such as writing poetry, performing spoken word, and singing.
The idea for Viva La Veta arose when Ms. Ngo first introduced Chien to a TED Talk made by double Michelin Star recipient Chef Dan Barber, in which he discusses the need for a shift in the agricultural industry and the way fish farm Veta La Palma was leading by example. Taking care of the planet is an issue Chien cares deeply about and hearing Barber’s talk made her realize that there are people working to find innovative solutions to the climate crisis, which can at times feel extremely overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. Chien explained to MY HERO:
Many of my peers are worried about the way we abuse our planet right now, so I made this film because I want to spread the word about how to solve seemingly unsolvable problems in creative and delightful ways. After Miss Clarissa showed me double-Michelin star Chef Dan Baber’s TED Talk, How I Fell In Love with a Fish, I felt inspired to write a poem about Veta La Palma, a secret fish farm in Spain that produces the most delicious fish Barber has ever tasted by harnessing nature instead of polluting it. […] I would say the importance of the film is that it gives us the good news that we can do something about it, instead of the bad news that paralyzes us and sends us plummeting into climate despair.
Clarissa Ngo, with permission'Viva La Veta,' was written and performed by fourteen-year-old Natalie Chien
Once she had written the poem, Ms. Ngo suggested that Chien use her love of music and singing to bring her writing to life and introduced her to Steve Swanson of Gold Medal Voice so that she might begin vocal training. Chien worked closely with both Ms. Ngo and Mr. Swanson to put the poem to music, record the song, and create the music video. “At first, I was intimidated with the thought of filling a three-minute song with visuals,” said Chien, “but Steve told Clarissa about all the latest and greatest AI tools, so I started with teaching myself how to generate images and video using AI and stock video.” Ms. Ngo also shot footage of Chien dancing and singing along to her song to include in the final cut. On seeing her project complete, Chien shared:
It took two years, but when I saw the last iteration of my music video, I couldn’t believe it! I never would have dreamt two years ago that I could do anything like this. I think this is a story about the power of good mentors to harness what kids can do.
Chien considers her mentors, Ms. Ngo and Mr. Swanson, to be her own personal heroes, as well as her parents who are extremely supportive of her interests. She explained that Viva La Veta was made possible in part thanks to Ms. Ngo filming as well as teaching her to write, dance, and pursue creative endeavors, and Mr. Swanson for helping her to turn her poem into a professionally recorded and mixed song. She also added that having supportive parents has been an invaluable factor in her achievements.
Myron McClure Photography/The MY HERO ProjectNatalie Chien and Clarissa Ngo together at the awards ceremony, Nov. 16, 2024.
About Imaginate Ink
Imaginate Ink was founded by Harvard graduate Clarissa Ngo to help people of all ages unlock their full potential by learning fourteen rare superpowers. Her company caters to a diverse range of clients from children of four to CEOs – offering them the guidance and encouragement they need to find a sense of purpose and joy in life. Her program is about much more than improving grades, getting into colleges, or achieving career milestones. It is about crafting a joyful, purpose-driven life.
Learn more about Imaginate Ink here.
About the Sing for Hope Music Video Award
A non-profit organization, founded in New York City in response to the events of 9/11, Sing for Hope harnesses the power of the arts to create a better world. Their creative programs bring hope, healing and connection to millions of people in hospitals, care facilities, schools, refugee camps, transit hubs, and community spaces worldwide.
The Sing for Hope Music Video Award recognizes songwriters, singers, musicians, producers, and filmmakers that have utilized their creative power to highlight heroes from across the globe. The prize is funded by friend of MY HERO and Sing for Hope Board Member Eva Haller and is awarded annually at the MY HERO International Film Festival's awards ceremony in November.
About the MY HERO International Film Festival
The My Hero Film Festival is an annual event dedicated to showcasing films that celebrate the power of the human spirit. The festival provides a platform for filmmakers to share inspirational stories of everyday heroes. Thanks to generous sponsors, prizes are awarded to elementary, middle school, high school, college and professionals in a variety of categories including documentary, narrative, music video, animation, experimental, and more.
The festival aims to inspire audiences to recognize the heroism in their own lives and encourage positive actions in their communities. Learn more.
Join us in celebrating 20 years of The MY HERO International Film Festival on November 16, 6pm @ the Ann and Jerry Moss Theater at New Roads School in Santa Monica, California. Find out more here.
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Last edited 11/23/2024 4:27:16 PM
