During his years at The Dewey Schools, the stage lights became a familiar companion for Quang Minh (Grade 12 – Detroit). Each performance experience served as a solid stepping stone, strengthening his resolve to pursue his passion for the “seventh art.” Today, this aspiring filmmaker is taking the next step toward his dream as he officially enrolls in the Film Making program at Trinity University (U.S.).
Born into a family with no artistic background, Minh’s special love for cinema emerged as early as Grade 7. At Dewey, that passion was nurtured and cultivated through numerous artistic projects. Ms. Diệu Anh—a drama teacher—still vividly recalls their first meeting: a student with striking eyes, long hair, and distinctive yellow pants. “I saw in those eyes a deep love for the arts and a special fascination with Bruce Lee. That’s why I cast Minh as the lead in our musical at the D-Show 2023 finals. When our team raised the championship trophy, I knew I had made the right decision,” Ms. Diệu Anh shared.
After his success at D-Show 2023, Minh continued to challenge himself with various school projects such as Hồi báo đời, the English Historical Play Đinh Bộ Lĩnh, and the Dewey Film Festival. From his acting experiences, Minh began to dream of becoming a filmmaker. He taught himself video editing on YouTube, creating his first short films on a simple mobile phone with friends from his apartment complex as actors.
Mr. Nguyễn Chiến Thắng—Career and College Guidance Counselor—was impressed by the 10th grader’s clarity of vision and determination to pursue directing. Initially, Minh’s family was hesitant because no one in the family had an artistic career, but his effort and commitment eventually convinced his parents. With the support of Dewey’s Career and College Counseling team, Minh gradually perfected his application portfolio and impressed admissions committees at over 10 U.S. universities with his story of chasing his dream. Notably, his prestigious piano awards at major competitions became a highlight of his profile. Minh shared that playing piano has helped him develop a keen sense of rhythm, tempo, and emotion—essential elements in cinema that allow filmmakers to bring audiences into deeper emotional layers.
Minh is especially passionate about psychological, action, and martial arts films. He admires director Charlie Nguyễn’s filmmaking style and hopes that action films will gain more prominence in Vietnamese cinema. Choosing the U.S. — the cradle of Hollywood — Minh aims to spend the next four years at Trinity University gaining experience and honing his filmmaking techniques. We wish him an inspiring new journey filled with passion and unforgettable cinematic achievements.
