Terry Lin - Behind the Scenes in Hollywood

Terry Lin is Hollywood's rising star in the world of entertainment advertising. Her work can be seen in print for movie campaigns including Superman Returns, Matrix Reloaded, The Harry Potter series. AsianConnections' Jinnie Lee chats with Terry about her life's pursuits.

When AsianConnections Jinny Lee interviewed Terry Lin, she requested a photo of her for this feature. Terry didnt have one but her colleagues at work captured her on camera for us.

This is the person behind the scenes, off-camera, passionately working to provide the creative touch and art direction that can be seen in the domestic and worldwide print advertising campaigns for movies including Superman Returns, Matrix Reloaded, The Harry Potter franchise, Scooby Doo, Troy, Bewitched, The U.S. vs. John Lennon, and foreign film Le Divorce.

Its no surprise that Terry is being recognized by her peers for her work.

As a rising star in Hollywood's competitive creative advertising world, her work is garnering awards. At the 33rd Annual Key Art Awards she was honored with an award for Best International Teaser Poster for Le Divorce. Her work on the Troy banners and Harry Potter series banners were nominated for the Special Recognition Series at the 34th Annual Key Art Awards.

Her life has come a long way. Her parents hoping to seek a better life for their daughter sent her to live with a family friend in Cerritos, California to go to high school. After high school, she was accepted into the coveted Pasadena Art College.

Terry's career path started in Los Angeles at Radar Advertising as a freelance art director. From there she moved to San Francisco to do freelance work for Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners West before returning to Los Angeles to work for Young and Rubicam.

In 2001, Lin began her career with Crew Creative, then a humble advertising team with just 5 employees working from a two bedroom house. Fast forward to November, 2006, Terry is now the Associate Creative Director of this full service entertainment advertising agency.

AsianConnections' Jinnie Lee talked with Terry about her life and her career.

JINNIE: What were your first impressions of America as a young girl when you arrived to California? How did you feel about the cultural differences?

TERRY: I could immediately sense that America is a mature and free country where you can find self-expression anywhere. My years in America have built my strength to help me realize my dreams. When I arrived in American during my teenage years, I think I was young enough to adapt to the cultural differences. Although both countries are very unique, the combination of what both have to offer has played a part in shaping who I am today and greatly plays a role in the designs that I create.

JINNIE: Where do you get your influences and how do you incorporate them into your creative work?

TERRY: The randomly lined up birds on the telephone line. The silence in my living room. The person who sold me a hot dog on the street. My dreams, my families, and my friends. My experiences with the world - everything inspires me and influences me with my work. My design reflects my life.

JINNIE: Please tell us a little about the local art group for young and thriving artists you help coordinate and what you hope it will achieve for the artists participating.

TERRY: I am in the process of organizing a creative movement which will be like the Dada movement of our generation. Most of the young commercial artists like me crave a more self-oriented creative outlet to make art for themselves outside of work. This is the chance to showcase ourselves as the artists we want to be instead of the commercial artists that we have become. Its almost like a creative soul searching. To be creative without restrictions.

JINNIE: What other projects are in your future? I hear you are writing screenplays and working in film development? Where do you get your "stories" from?

TERRY: Yes. I am writing a screenplay and would like to make it into a feature soon. I get my story ideas from my dreams and my own experience. I keep a dream journal which has been very helpful through out my creative life.
I am also developing some installation projects and photography stories. Theres always something to do, I like to keep myself busy.

JINNIE: Congratulations on all of your successes! It's liberating to hear of successful Asians in media. Did you have struggles to overcome to get to where you are today?

TERRY: Throughout my career and even when I was in school, there were always people who would ask me to either give up or to change my direction. It was always hurtful and disappointing. Yet the only thing I could do is not give up and always believe in myself. The harder the task the greater the challenge. It feels wonderful when you believe in yourself and make things happen for yourself.

JINNIE: When you are given an assignment, what is your typical work flow? What are the steps that you take to complete your assignment? Do you have samples of your work that our audience can view?

TERRY: When I first get a project, the first thing I do is a lot of research and brainstorming. What color palette? What kind of style? What is the background story? What has been done? What is the idea or the visual concept for my poster? After I decide on the visual styles for the look of the project, I start to design on the computer and thats when I dont sleep for days.

You can find my work on the web or even on the street if they are up.

JINNIE: Do you have role models and mentors?

TERRY: My father, who taught me to follow my dreams and to value my lifes worth. My mother, who taught me self-love and to never give up.
All the amazing tough mamas throughout history. They taught me to be a survivor.

JINNIE: Do you have advice on "keys to success" for other people who are aspiring to become professionals in your industry?

TERRY: Absorb and observe as much as you can from life. See, listen, and experience. Never give up and always be humble. There is always something to learn in the world.