Sweet and Sour Productions is a student formed and student run video production group at Duke University. We deal with digital media in its many forms: shorts, music videos, advertisements, internet video, and broadcast television. At Duke, we have worked behind the scenes with both administrative and student groups including the Dean of Students Office, OIT, Cable 13, ASA, and DefMo. Through our four short years at Duke, we hope to enrich the culture of visual arts on campus while at the same time develop ourselves as filmmakers, artists, and people.

If you have facebook and are interested in receiving updates on the latest production work, getting exclusive first looks at new films, and giving input on ideas for future productions, we invite you to the Sweet and Sour group here.

Sweet and Sour Productions has been featured in Duke Today for Froshlife and for The Coffee Interns.
 
The Exodus (Junior and Senior Year at Duluth High School)

Circa 2004 B.C.E, there were six little Asian boys who found themselves in bondage at Duluth High School, Georgia. There was Matthew "The Hammer" Nguyen, James "Sweetcheeks" Jung, John "Badbadman" Suh, Jin "The Jinja" Choi, Shang "Houseboy" Gao, and Muyan "Simba" Jin. They believed in a Promised Land full of merry-making and drink, of friendly womenfolk, independent learning... and more drink. To reach the Promised Land, they endured four grueling years of slavery--during that time they discovered an escape from the drudgery of everyday life: the forbidden art of Filmmaking and Brotherly Love. Practicing in secret, they called themselves... Ricebowl Productions. During the final battle with the six-headed beast called Ms. Becker, many casualties were inflicted, and Ricebowl wondered if Jinja (previously mutilated to near death by Calculus) would make it to the Promised Land alive. But behold, in the end Ricebowl was triumphant, and slew their enemies, and crossed the borders of Duluth High School, never to look back upon those dark days again.

Yet, standing at the brink of freedom, Ricebowl looked back on their journey with fondness. They had bonded through their practice of Filmmaking and Brotherly Love, and were loathe to depart. But they knew that the Promised Land was their destiny, and vowed to spread their knowledge of Filmmaking and Brotherly Love in new lands.

(Matt is currently at UGA, James and John are at Emory, Jin is at Georgia Tech, and Shang and Muyan are at Duke)


 
The Princess and the Wizard (Freshman Year at Duke)

It just so happened that Shang and Muyan were both invited to the realm of Duke University, and they embarked along with an ally from Duluth High School, Yi "Smokey" Xiang. Shang, Muyan, and Yi had high hopes, tales of Duke told of much merriment and ale which flowed like water. Alas, when they arrived, they found the inhabitants ignorant to the ways of Filmmaking and Brotherly Love, and very little ale. After repeated attempts at Brotherly Love ended in disaster, and as the last reserves of Shang's flasks went dry, the three fell into inconsolable despair. What could be done?

Then a miracle occurred which reaffirmed their faith in Filmmaking and Brotherly Love. It turned out that Duke sponsored an annual filmmaking contest between dorms called Froshlife, and Shang, Muyan, and Yi set out to make a music video. In homage to Ricebowl, Sweet & Sour Productions was born.

One day, while wandering about on campus, Muyan met a beautiful princess, Jane "Swishyswishy" Chong, who would be perfect for the part of a depressed, lonely, angry, and violent girl.  He immediately told Shang and Yi about his exciting find, and in the middle of the night they clubbed her unconscious, kidnapping her to be their star actress. All was set, when another stroke of luck came in the oddest of forms.

A disgruntled technical wizard armed with a dysfunctional wand, Jeff "SucksforPegram" Hu, offered his assistance after being exiled from dorm Pegram. Although he was not from the dorm Wilson, and, furthermore, was known for exhibiting all the eccentricities of a Pratt Engineer, Sweet & Sour embraced his magical skills in Premiere Pro and Photoshop. And so the team was complete.

Allying their fellow dorm mates--including Jinsoo Huh, Jake Hartley, Sungho Yoo, and Lauren Tam--Sweet & Sour spent two hard weeks engaging in Filmmaking and Brotherly (and Sisterly) Love. The result, "My Only One", was debuted for all of Duke at the Froshlife Premiere. Jane won Best Actress for her role, and Jeff snatched the Best Editor award. Lastly, amid fierce competition, "My Only One" received the Best Movie award, and there was much rejoicing. With the establishment of Sweet & Sour intact, the team moves onto their next project...

 
Profiles

Shang Gao - Writer/Director, Editor
   Hometown: Atlanta, GA
   Birthday: 05.26.87
   Major, Year: Economics, c/o 2009
   Interests: Money, Power, Fame
   Contact: email
Bio: Shang was born naked, hungry, and helpless. He spent twenty years of his life trying to overcome these conditions, but so far has conquered only the first one. Nonetheless, Shang did not give up. He nurtured big dreams of becoming an astronaut or a rock star or a superhero. Instead, Shang became a cashier at Sears. Shang is currently a junior at Duke University majoring in economics. He founded Sweet and Sour Productions and aspires to direct commercials, music videos, and one day, features. When he is not sleeping through his classes, he retreats to his super special secret hideout to think of new film ideas.
 
 Lawrence Chen - Director of Photography
   Hometown: Beijing, China
   Birthday: 06.26.87
   Major, Year: Economics, c/o 2009
   Interests: Film (duh), Breakdancing, Improv Comedy
   Contact: n/a
Bio: Lawrence Chen was born in the Middle of Nowhere, Minnesota and traveled the world before settling down in Beijing, China. While part of tCHN productions, he made numerous films varying in genre, length, and quality. Lawrence has a plethora of skills in digital video production and editing. He is an excellent steadicam operator, with only a minor case of ligament arthritis in the right wrist. Lawrence is an acclaimed actor and has had many crowning achievements including awards such as "Best Overactor" and "Most takes to the camera in one shot." Lawrence hopes to actually make it big one day.
 
 Peggy Tseng - Assistant Director
   Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
   Birthday: 08.20.87
   Major, Year: Biological Anthropology, c/o 2009
   Interests: *Nsync, Dance, Disneyland
   Contact: n/a
 
 Janessa Det - Art Director
   Hometown: Chicago, IL
   Birthday: 11.24.87
   Major, Year: Biomedical Engineering, c/o 2009
   Interests: Design, Fonts, Squirrels
   Contact: n/a
 
 Muyan Jin - Creative Advisor
   Hometown: Atlanta, GA
   Birthday: 11.05.86
   Major, Year: Political Science, c/o 2009
   Interests: Art, Music, Sleep
   Contact: n/a
 
 Jeff Hu - Technical Advisor
   Hometown: Cary, NC
   Birthday: 08.15.87
   Major, Year: Biomedical Engineering, c/o 2009
   Interests: Karaoke, Skiing, Relationships for Dummies
   Contact: n/a
 
 Yi Xiang - Composer
   Hometown: Atlanta, GA
   Birthday: 02.08.87
   Major, Year: History, c/o 2009
   Interests: Classical Composition, College Hoops
   Contact: n/a
 
 Sungho Yoo - Freelance Producer
   Hometown: Orlando, FL
   Birthday: 05.01.87
   Major, Year: Economics, c/o 2009
   Interests: Sports, Dance, Film, Squirrel Tag
   Contact: n/a