NYWIFT Blog

By Katie Chambers

Welcome to NYWIFT, Rachel Cheung!

Rachel is a dynamic writer and producer born and raised in New York City and Long Island with Chinese and Irish roots. With a BFA in Film and Television from NYU, she has honed her craft through diverse experiences, including roles as an assistant to the President of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences and at WME in the Brand Partnerships department.

Rachel’s background enriches her unique perspective in the industry, driving her storytelling prowess. Get to know her in our latest interview!

NYWIFT Member Rachel Cheung (Photo Courtesy of Rachel Cheung)

Describe yourself. Give us your elevator pitch!

I’m an emerging writer and producer based in New York City, with a formal education from NYU and experience as an industry assistant. I see myself as an unconventional thinker, which naturally draws me to unconventional stories. Although, I am particularly interested in female-led stories, comedies, and animation!

Janet Yang at the 2023 NYWIFT Muse Awards

I remember first connecting with you while you were working as Executive Assistant to Janet Yang, Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning Producer and President of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences, when we honored Janet at the 2023 NYWIFT Muse Awards. That was an impressive gig to land not long after graduating with your BFA from NYU. What was your favorite part about working with Janet? What were with best takeaways?

I had an incredible experience connecting with you and assisting with the Muse Awards in 2023! I really loved so many things about working with Janet—she generously included me in panels and industry events, allowing me to engage with professionals I never thought I’d meet. Her involvement with organizations like the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Gold House, and CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) provided invaluable learning and networking opportunities.

Outside of the glitz and glam, I enjoyed hearing Janet’s anecdotes, from growing up in New York to consulting Steven Spielberg in Shanghai, all while occasionally fending off her kitty who loved to strut across my keyboard. Despite her status as the Godmother of Asian American Hollywood, Janet made me feel at ease to confide in her and seek her advice.

One of my biggest takeaways was her dedication to engaging with new voices. Janet was always eager to connect with emerging talent and discover fresh material. Through her collaboration with CAPE and Julia S. Gouw in their short film competition for AAPI women and non-binary filmmakers, she demonstrated a commitment to championing overlooked voices. It was refreshing to witness her support for new talent in an era where nepotism often dominates conversations.

Still from Meeting Amy (Courtesy of Rachel Cheung)

You also have some experience assisting in the management and agency side at uber-competitive organizations Untitled Entertainment and WME. What drew you to the world of talent representation? Is that a path you’d want to pursue one day? 

During an internship I held while I was a student at NYU, I had a conversation with a producer about getting a foot in the door after graduation. She mentioned she wished she had started in the mailroom at an agency like many of her peers did. Inspired by this advice, I immersed myself in the world of representation and quickly saw how crucial managers and agents are to the industry.

Working in representation provided me with valuable insights into the industry’s key players, deal-making processes, and communication with talent and their teams. While I am currently focused on my creative work, I can definitely see myself working in management and producing with clients in the future.

Still from Meeting Amy (Courtesy of Rachel Cheung)

Your goal of amplifying underrepresented voices through writing and producing is perfectly aligned with NYWIFT’s mission. What are some recent projects you’ve seen that excite you?

Although it premiered at the end of 2023, Blue Eye Samurai has become a must-watch for all my friends and family. The series is stacked with iconic Asian talent, compelling storytelling, and beautifully executed animation. It tackles themes of race and gender identity in a way that resonates with me as a biracial woman, even though the story is set in Japan’s Edo period.

I’m also eagerly anticipating Rachel Sennott’s HBO comedy series, Save Me. Having followed Sennott’s career on Twitter before her breakout roles in Shiva Baby and Bodies, Bodies, Bodies, it’s been incredibly inspiring to watch her growth. The show is already being compared to Sex and the City and Girls—both of which I constantly rewatch. This generation definitely needs our own version to capture the essence of the times.

Still from Scratch Off (Courtesy of Rachel Cheung)

What brought you to NYWIFT?

As you mentioned earlier, I worked with NYWIFT when I was the Executive Assistant to Janet Yang and she was honored at the 2023 NYWIFT Muse Awards. Although I knew of NYWIFT prior to then, it was really during that experience where I gained more insight on the strong community NYWIFT offers and I had nothing but exceptional interactions with NYWIFT members. When I moved back to NYC after my time working in LA with Janet, I knew I had to be a part of this amazing community.

What’s the best advice you ever received? And the worst?

The best advice I’ve received is to read, read, read! Whether it’s scripts, books, or the trades, staying well-read is crucial. Most projects that get made are based on existing IP, and for writers, reading helps understand what kinds of stories are resonating with audiences. For assistants, being informed about industry trends is vital for setting up meetings and handling submissions with professionals.

While I’m still in the early stages of my career and haven’t encountered any “bad” advice, one piece of advice I struggle with is focusing on a single genre to increase marketability as a writer. Although this advice makes sense, my passion for various genres often pulls me in different directions. Time will tell if I end up sticking to this advice or exploring multiple genres.

Still from Scratch Off (Courtesy of Rachel Cheung)

What’s next for you?

I’m currently developing a few exciting projects! One is a feature script—a mockumentary exposé on the chaotic dating scene in LA (which may or may not draw from personal experience). I’m also working on a short film with fellow NYU alums, a comedy about two traffic cops who inadvertently get caught up in a drug trade with a notorious gang in NYC’s Chinatown.

Beyond my own projects, I’m eager to connect with like-minded individuals in this community and am more than happy to help with others’ projects in any way I can. Please feel free to reach out and connect!

Connect with Rachel Cheung on LinkedIn.