Young Guns 20: Ryan Chun
By Alixandra Rutnik and Brett McKenzie on Nov 02, 2022
Spotlighting the stupendous class of Young Guns 20
Nearly 100 renowned industry professionals made up the jury for Young Guns this year. And after revealing the 84 finalists, it is finally time to unveil the 31 winners who make up the class of Young Guns 20.
Every year, we add another class of young talent from all over the globe to the exclusive Young Guns community. The winners of Young Guns 20 are your next project directors, animators, designers, editors, illustrators, artists, photographers, storytellers, coders, and writers. So this is your cue to follow them on Instagram immediately– because they are our industry’s future legends after all.
In two weeks, the winners will fly into NYC from around the world to celebrate their accomplishments, make new friends, have a few cocktails, and take home their official Young Guns Cube. We can’t wait to celebrate with them at Sony Hall on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 6:30 PM– and we hope to see you there too!
Before the party begins, we took the time to get to know each of our winners so you can read up on the highly creative individuals who make up Young Guns 20.
RYAN TAKASHI CHUN
DIRECTOR
Based:
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
Hometown:
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
When did you first hear about Young Guns? What were your initial impressions of the Young Guns competition — the award and the community?
Probably back in 2015 or 2016. I had just dropped out of college to work at an ad agency. I heard about Young Guns and was stoked there was an award highlighting young talent in the industry.
What made you enter this year?
My reps at Off-Site Works submitted me. I actually don’t think it’s something I would have done for myself otherwise. Having friends in my corner who are pushing to help me grow, see my potential, and want to help more people see the work I’ve made is really cool.
Young Guns is as much an exercise in self-curation as it is in sheer creative talent. After all, you are only allowed to submit six projects. How did you decide which pieces were best to enter and truly reflected you and your work?
Up until I started writing this, I actually didn’t even know what work Off-Site submitted. I’m terrible at narrowing down work in that way, so I was glad to have had their help. I’m excited both my photo and video work made it into the submission - photo is sort of a testing ground for the things I want to bring to future video projects, and for things I make just for myself, so including that side of my work made the portfolio feel personal.
What went through your mind when you discovered that you won, especially knowing how difficult it is to make it into Young Guns? Do you remember the exact place and time you were when you found out the news?
I was on a family vacation in Hawaii, where my dad is from, when I found out. I was already happy just to have made the finalists - I never expected to win. My family is spread out across the country and it’s rare we’re all in the same place at the same time, so it was pretty special to have found out when we were all together in a place that has so much meaning to me.
How would you describe your personal brand in one sentence?
I don’t think I really have a personal brand. What I’m interested in and what I want to make is always changing, and I think will always continue to change. I’m really interested in endlessly exploring those things.
Who are some of the biggest influences on you and your career? Who may have had a hand in mentoring and supporting you?
My girlfriend, Allison, is my daily sounding board - I think she's seen every treatment and rough cut I've ever put together.
I've also been alongside one of my best friends, Kevin, throughout each stage of our career. We entered into the agency and production world together, and to this day still run everything past one another.
Now that you’re in the Young Guns crew, are there any past winners you look up to and admire? What is it about their work that you love?
It’s pretty wild to be joining the YG ranks. People like Alfred Marroquin (YG19), Mah Ferraz (YG17), and Rubberband (YG18) have some of the most creative and exciting work in the industry. It’s a lot of the previous winners whose work set the bar I hope to be at one day. I’m having a ton of fun doing what I’m doing, and to get to add my name to the list is a huge source of motivation.
"It’s a lot of the previous winners whose work set the bar I hope to be at one day. I’m having a ton of fun doing what I’m doing, and to get to add my name to the list is a huge source of motivation."
Name a creative dream that you have yet to fulfill — hey, maybe Young Guns can help propel you in that direction! Who would you love to collab with in the future?
I’m in a city surrounded by the most talented people and getting to work with more and more of them everyday. For me, all I really want is to keep building those friendships and work with people who are as excited as I am to get to make things for a living. But if you’re asking, I’m definitely not saying no to a Super Bowl campaign and someone at Nike SB, please call me.
This is YG20, but what do you imagine you’ll be up to when YG30 rolls around in 2032?
I don’t even know what I’m doing a month from now!
Goals heading into 2023?
Skate more!
Come party with us and celebrate all the Young Guns 20 winners on Wednesday, November 16 at Sony Hall!
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