GITWFF Filmmakers: Roxanne Lim with Jen BKLYN Pt. 2
GITWFF: Jen, tell us about your beginning into radio. What was the growth to where you are right now?
Jen: So you know this Drake song “Started from the Bottom”? I legitimately started from the bottom. Long story short, I actually went to college for fashion, but left to pursue my passion in entertainment. I went to a trade school for production engineering, music and movies. Then I got an internship at Hot 97, and that’s where I’ve been for the last 10 years. I worked my way up, and grew with the company.
GITWFF: And since you made that growth, what was your impact as an Asian woman?
Jen: Miss Info is a Korean woman doing hip-hop journalism. When I saw her, I thought wow. You know, we can be accepted. We can be in this entertainment world. That’s what drew me to the field. It’s really important that we show our Asian youth that there are different avenues you can go through to pursue what you want. When I first made the switch, my mother would tell me what are you doing with your life? Why aren’t you making money? She’s a very traditional Vietnamese woman and an immigrant. But now, with my own success, she is supporting me with everything and even giving me new ideas for my shows. If we start showcasing more Asian American stories, we can change the perspective even outside of our own community. That was my impact that was reminded to me by friends and family. That’s why I bonded so much with the Black and Latino communities, because I wasn’t white. The only time I remember seeing Asians in media when I grew up was the Joy Luck Club movie.
GITWFF: Can you tell us a bit about your web series?
JENN: I have two shows called “Ladies First” and “Scene It.” “Ladies First” was selected by YouTube to represent NYC in a global campaign for Women’s History month. “Scene It” talks about how film production gets done with actors on set. It lets people know the process in the back end, and what it takes to make a scene.
Here’s a little snippet of live on Hot 97 announcing their film making it as a GITWFF finalist!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhIOvn8A7mv/?taken-by=jenfrombk
GITWFF: Are you guys planning to submit the full length film to other festivals?
Roxanne: The full length is about 20 minutes. We’re still cleaning it up a little, but we’ve thought about it. It was actually harder to make the smaller submission for GITWFF than making the longer, because we had to figure out what to include and what not to include. I was constantly texting Jen like should we keep this?
Jenn: We had so many drafts. So, so many.
Roxanne: Oh yeah, lots and lots of drafts.
Jenn: I would be sending Roxanne audio clips of just recording myself on my phone and sending it to her like please add this in!
GITWFF: We also think it’s awesome that Roxanne is taking that opportunity to make her own path and make her own presence. She is now the Creative Director for your production company Next Jeneration! Did that partnership form through making Who is Jen BKLYN?
Jen: Next Jeneration was already established before I met Roxanne, but I was looking for somebody to help lead it and take to the next level. Roxanne just showed me her work ethic right out the gate. She’s a mini me, she’s basically my little sister. I am a mad alpha female and she is as well, so I knew this would work. And here we are!
GITWFF: How can people get more involved with Next Jeneration?
Jen: They can reach out to Roxanne, or message us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. We’re looking for more people to add to our team! Doesn’t matter if you’ve only been working for a year or 10 years. As long as you have talent, you’re in. That’s what’s important to us.
Thank you so much to Roxanne and Jen for your time! Follow them below!
@renaissanceroxy
@jenfrombk
@inextjeneration
@gitwff
