Born and raised in Los Angeles, Sheldon grew up in a Cantonese family with parents who fled Vietnam during the Fall of Saigon. It was not until high school that his interest in films began developing — a feat he owes to both his drama teacher and artist uncle — and where he began realizing the power of storytelling, particularly inspired by his parents’ tale of survival. After graduating the University of California, Irvine, with a Bachelor’s degree in Film & Media Studies as well as completing several personal films about his family, Sheldon is now currently pursuing an MFA at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He also really likes pineapple buns.
Sheldon first embarked on the ASENNA journey after his first year at NYU. For his second year film, which was an assignment that required each student in the class to write and direct an original short film, he decided to make an action project. Specifically, he wanted to make a film that not only touched upon elements of family, trust, and betrayal, but also one that showcased exciting movement, gorgeous cinematography, and impressive landscapes for an overall epic feel. A challenge to himself to push his limits and attempt to make a piece that is quite simply, cinematic.
By teaming with genre icon Kristina Klebe (Rob Zombie’s Halloween) and his invaluable friends and classmates at NYU, Sheldon set out to make the most difficult project of his life thus far. Sheldon worked on the 2011 Roxy Shih short “Play Time.”