Alumni Highlights

Name: Amy Cron Chan (Class of 2001)
Major at MC: English Literature
Minor at MC: History
Current employer: Free-lance, hired on a project-by-project basis
Current title: TV Producer

What have you recently achieved in your career or life that you’re especially proud of?
Producing my first show was an incredibly rewarding experience — I'd have to say that I am most proud of my ability to set a goal and go after it.  I would not say that I am a risk taker by nature, but thankfully, God has given me an ambitious nature that will not allow me to settle … for anything.  One of the biggest risks I've ever had to take was packing up my belongings and moving to Los Angeles with no contacts, no idea how to get into the entertainment industry, and really no idea how I was going to live. All I knew was that I had a dream: to be a producer.

Your Senior Study had a lot to do with your decision to move to California.  Explain.
My senior thesis compared and contrasted two film versions of Romeo and Juliet with Shakespeare's text. It was quite an undertaking since, with the help of my senior thesis advisor Dr. [Sam] Overstreet, I had to teach myself film theory. It was during this extraordinary year of work on my thesis that I began to look at film as more than just a personal passion and really consider it as a possible career option. Upon arriving in Hollywood, I had a chance encounter with Baz Lurhmann, director of Romeo+Juliet (1996). I was able to show him my senior thesis, which he happily signed. For me, it was confirmation that I truly had been called to Hollywood and this industry.

Other than your Senior Study, in what ways did your Maryville College experience prepare you for your current vocation?
Every time I start work on a new television show, I have to adapt to a new work environment, new coworkers and new office protocols. As a producer, 90 percent of my job is solving problems, and there's no manual for that. MC's greatest achievement is providing students with the ability to look at situations intelligently, to be effective problem solvers and to adapt to surroundings. The First-Year and Senior Seminars require students to look at their lives, their communities, and the world in new ways. J-Term classes provide a wide variety of experiences for students to step outside their normal array of classes and explore something new. And Mountain Challenge provides a fun outdoor approach to teamwork and problem-solving. The ability to stretch, grow, explore and take risks in the safe confines of the school builds the confidence that is needed to tackle challenges after college.

Things you love the most about what you do now:
Whether on location or at a sound stage, there is nothing more exhilarating than the "shoot." It is the moment when all of your weeks or months of planning come together and the vision is finally realized. True, you still have to go back and edit everything together, but for however many days that you are on set shooting, there is a frenetic energy that comes from having lots of people in various disciplines (producers, director, actors, cameramen, audio, electrics, hair and make-up, art department, etc.) all come together for one common goal.

Favorite course at MC:
One that sticks out in my mind is the science fiction/fantasy class taught by Dr. Schneibel. It was a wonderful awakening to a new genre of literature that I continue to explore today. Understanding the elements of good science fiction and fantasy is a great asset in a career that thrives on alternate realities.

One thing you’ll never forget about MC:
Relationships with friends and faculty sustained and supported me throughout college and even today. But if I had to choose one thing that I'll never forget about MC, it can be summed up in a word: flamingo. One of my former roommates recently posted photos of some of our campus shenanigans on Facebook, reminding me of what fun we had together. Our flamingo escapades provided us with an outlet for creativity, community and even a little harmless devious behavior. But I'm afraid if you want to know the real story, you'll have to ask Dr. Overstreet.

Recent Graduate/Career Data