Take 5: Nausheen Ishtiaq-Chen

By Bailey Hu, March 23, 2017

1 0

Every month, Take 5 sees a PRD resident answer five questions on whatever our editors feel like asking.

Nausheen Ishtiaq-Chen is a filmmaker, producer, photographer and world traveler, among other things. From her hometown of Karachi, Pakistan, she’s traveled to New York City on a Fulbright, taken an epic road trip across the continental US and hosted filmmaking workshops in Shenzhen. She and her husband Cecil currently manage their very own start-up, Zen and Zany. 

How long has your company been running, and what's your (and Cecil's) vision for it?  
Zen and Zany has been operating for the past 2 years. Our vision is to enable our clients to visualise and transform their ideas from the script to the screen.

Most memorable project you've done in Shenzhen?
We collaborated with a leading hi-tech company to create original virtual reality content in 3D. That took a long time to plan and create as we were all new to creating VR content, and that too as a plot-driven narrative.

If you had to cast yourself in one of your own films, what role would you play and why?
I'd most easily fit into 7000 Miles, which is a documentary project about life in Pakistan and New York City. It would feature my life as a participant, and you'd spend a day with me being my invisible companion.

Name at least one amazing movie or TV series that you've watched recently.
The Americans has really been very inspiring in its tight scriptwriting and very relatable characters. Mr. Robot has had some very innovative and unconventional cinematography.

In an ideal world, what kind of photography or films would you like to make? 
Feature length films with dancing fairies! Seriously though, anything meaningful that's thought provoking, created in original or new ways.

Nausheen’s company, Zen and Zany, is on Facebook.

Click here for more Take 5.

more news

Exclusive Wine Dinner at Azure, InterContinental Shenzhen Dameisha Resort

InterContinental Shenzhen Dameisha Resort's Azure restaurant, invites the Char Bar & Grill from the InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun, Beijing, to collaborate on a bespoke dinner event titled "Wine Dinner at Azure".

The Tasting Room – Prime Steak & Grill

This esteemed establishment has redefined the art of steakhouse dining!

Melco Style Presents Sichuan and Canton's Diamond

Melco Style introduces The Black Pearl Diamond Restaurants Gastronomic Series, a two-year gastronomic journey that promises to redefine the dining landscape in Macao.

Exclusive Wine Dinner at Azure, InterContinental Shenzhen Dameisha Resort

InterContinental Shenzhen Dameisha Resort's Azure restaurant, invites the Char Bar & Grill from the InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun, Beijing, to collaborate on a bespoke dinner event titled "Wine Dinner at Azure".

Explainer: Women's Day's Revolutionary Roots

The origins and customs of March 8, or China's 'sanba.'

9 Badass Women in Chinese History

From astronomical geniuses to pirate queens.

0 User Comments

In Case You Missed It…

We're on WeChat!

Scan our QR Code at right or follow us at ThatsShenzhen for events, guides, giveaways and much more!

7 Days in Shenzhen With thatsmags.com

Weekly updates to your email inbox every Wednesday

Download previous issues

Never miss an issue of That's !

Visit the archives