I’m Al Chang, a Korean American filmmaker, editor, writer, director, photographer, Army veteran, and founder of 4LCFILM.

I didn’t come into filmmaking through a straight path. Before film school, I served ten years in the U.S. Army. After that, I used my military benefits to study film and eventually earned my MFA in Film Production with an emphasis in Editing from Chapman University.

Editing shaped a lot of how I see story. For me, it always comes down to rhythm, performance, emotion, and knowing when to get out of the way.

Through 4LCFILM, I’ve written, directed, and edited six short films. Each one lives in a different genre, but they all come from the same place: character, flaws, quiet moments, and people trying to figure themselves out.

Most of these films were made with small crews, limited resources, and a lot of problem-solving. That’s become a big part of how we work. There is never a perfect time. You either wait forever or you figure it out with what you have.

I don’t see limitations as a bad thing. Sometimes they force you to be more honest, more creative, and more intentional.

We’ve been lucky to have our films screen at festivals and be recognized along the way, and I’m grateful for all of it. But the real reward has been building a creative community and watching everyone grow from project to project.

If I never got to make another film, that’s the thing I’d remember most. I got to do this with friends, collaborators, and people who cared enough to show up.

At the end of the day, I’m just trying to keep making work that feels honest, entertaining, and alive.