“Not only are bloggers suckers for the remarkable, so are the people who read blogs .” - Seth Godin

Introduction:

Justin Chon, a multi-talented actor, writer, and director, has become a shining example of how the concept of "Value Compounding" can lead to remarkable success in the competitive world of Hollywood. From his humble beginnings as a supporting actor in the Twilight films to starring alongside Oscar winner Alicia Vikander in Blue Bayou, Chon's career trajectory demonstrates the power of strategic decision-making and self-produced projects. Let's take a closer look at the key movies, festivals, and awards that shaped Justin Chon's path to stardom.

From Angsty Best Friend to Filmmaking Virtuoso - How Justin Chon Value Compounded His Career

When Hollywood wouldn't listen, Chon took his career into his own hands.

1. The Twilight Breakthrough

Justin Chon's journey began in 2008 when he landed a role in the widely popular Twilight film series, where he played the character Eric Yorkie. Although it was a supporting role, his appearance in such a high-profile franchise opened doors and exposed him to a vast audience. It was his first taste of success that would leave him with a bad aftertaste. Although the YA series lead to regular work, Justin had a deeper purpose in telling personal stories, that the work he was getting wasn't reaching.

2. Turbo-Charging the Career with Gook

In 2017, with a successful Kickstarter campaign of just $56,000, Chon wrote, directed, and starred in Gook, a powerful drama exploring the complexities of race and friendship during the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim and won the Next Innovator Award. Gook showcased Chon's abilities not only as an actor but also as a talented filmmaker and storyteller.

"Chon has not only earned critical acclaim but also cemented his place as a visionary filmmaker and an inspiring actor"

Justin Chon and his team on the set of Ms Purple.

3. Ms. Purple: Back to the Drawing Board

After the success of Gook, with more stories to tell, studios came knocking, but he knew his stories wouldn't be commercial fodder. After getting stuck in development on his ultimate goal, Chon took to what he knew: Value Compounding. He assembled a scrappy cast and crew, and continued to build his momentum with the film Ms. Purple (2019). He co-wrote, directed, and starred in this moving drama about family bonds and resilience within the Korean-American community in Los Angeles. Despite a smaller budget than Gook -- also mostly raised on Kickstarter -- Ms. Purple premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, further solidifying Chon's reputation as a rising star in the industry.

4. Blue Bayou: A Pinnacle of Success

In 2021, Justin's talents were formally recognized in the form of his magnum opus, Blue Bayou, a heart-wrenching drama that he wrote, directed, and starred in. The film centers around an adopted man facing deportation, showcasing Chon's ability to tackle important social issues through compelling storytelling. Blue Bayou premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, receiving widespread critical acclaim and catapulting Chon into the spotlight on an international stage.

5. An easier road ahead

Justin Chon's extraordinary rise from a supporting actor in the Twilight films to starring in Blue Bayou alongside Alicia Vikander is a testament to the power of "Value Compounding" in building a successful film career. By strategically crafting his own projects and showcasing his talents both in front of and behind the camera, Chon has not only earned critical acclaim but also cemented his place as a visionary filmmaker and an inspiring actor. The success of Blue Bayou led to Chon directing 4 episodes Apple TV's Pachinko. He has many projects in the pipeline, with Kickstarter a likely memory of a scrappier past.


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