The Next Big Thing: Adrian Wong

At Shanghai American School, students aren’t just preparing for their futures—they're actively shaping them. For Pudong senior Adrian Wong, that future is all about storytelling. When a film class in the 9th grade sparked a passion, he spent his high school years crafting narratives through filmmaking. And next year, he’s taking his passion to New York City to study film and television in NYU Tisch School of the Arts, one of the most prestigious film programs in the world.

Why did you choose NYU Tisch?

NYU’s film program is one of the top-ranked programs in the U.S., and I wanted to be somewhere that would push me creatively. I actually went to New York for a summer program at the School of Visual Arts. Filmmaking in New York City is probably one of the best things in the world.

At NYU, I plan to specialize in directing and cinematography to build the skills I need for my future career.

What's your favorite film you've made at SAS?

I’d have to say, "The Hit," which I made with three friends as part of the 4x4x4 Challenge in the Shanghai Student Film Festival. It was such a fun process—we had four days to plan, four hours to shoot, and four hours to edit. We ran into so many challenges, but we worked through them, and in the end, I was really proud of what we created.

What was the admissions process like for NYU Tisch?

Film schools usually require a portfolio. For NYU, I had to submit a five-minute independent short film, and it took me about six months to make—planning, production, editing, everything. It was a long, intense process, but totally worth it.

What advice would you give to younger students who want to study film after high school?

Don’t procrastinate! Take your time on your portfolio, really put in the work, and—most importantly—have fun with it. Filmmaking is an incredible journey, and you should enjoy every part of it.

Best of luck next year, Adrian! We can’t wait to see your name in the credits someday.