Quyen Tran

Quyen Tran /ˈkwiːɛn ˈtræn/^[1] is a Vietnamese-American cinematographer based in Los Angeles.^[2][3] She has worked on multiple Sundance films such as The Little Hours and Deidra & Laney Rob a Train.^[4]

Quyen Tran
Nationality	American
Alma mater	UCLA
Occupation	Cinematographer
Spouse	Sam Riegel
Children	2
Website	www.qtranfilms.com

Education

After witnessing the 9/11 attacks in New York City, Tran applied to film school and was accepted to UCLA.^[3][5] Roger Deakins was a cinematographer-in-residence at the time of her attendance and became one of her mentors.^[5]

Photography

Tran began her artistic career as a still photographer.^[3][6] Her photos have appeared in the New York Times,^[7][8] LA Times,^[9] USA Today, New York Post, New York Daily News, Dateline NBC, HBO’s In Memoriam, BBC, CNN International News, PBS, Sacramento Bee, The Age (Australia), Scientific American, Variety, TV Guide, and more. She was nominated for the World Press Photo Award.

Film and television

Tran has worked as a cinematographer on short films, television, and full length films.^[10] In 2021, Tran became a member of the American Society of Cinematographers.^[11]

Awards and honors

• Best Cinematography UCLA Spotlight: 2008, 2007, 2006
• Best Feature Cinematography – Wild Rose Film Festival
• Federico de Laurentiis Memorial Scholarship
• National Theater Goers Alliance Scholarship^[12]

Personal life

Tran's parents were refugees from South Vietnam. She is bilingual,^[13] fluent in English and Vietnamese.^[12] Tran is Catholic.^[14] She is married to voice actor Sam Riegel and they have two children.

Filmography^[12]

Feature films and TV movies

Year	Title	Director	Notes
TBA	Brothers	Max Barbakow
2020	Life in a Year	Mitja Okorn
2020	Palm Springs^[15]	Max Barbakow
2016	The Night Stalker	Megan Griffiths
2018	Dark Was the Night (formerly Behold My Heart)	Joshua Leonard
2017	The Little Hours^[16]	Jeff Baena
2017	Deidra & Laney Rob A Train	Sydney Freeland
2015	Pali Road	Jonathan Lim
2015	Off the Menu: Asian America	Grace Lee
2016	To The Moon & Back	Susan Morgan Cooper
2015	The Automatic Hate^[17]	Justin Lerner
2013	American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs^[3]^[18]	Grace Lee	2014 Peabody Award^[19]
2013	Free Ride	Shana Sosin
2011	Mulberry Child	Susan Morgan Cooper
2010	Troublemaker	Geeta Malik
2010	Girlfriend^[17]^[20]^[21]	Justin Lerner
2011	A Bag of Hammers	Brian Crano
2009	The People I've Slept With^[22]	Quentin Lee
2009	16 to Life	Becky Smith
2008	Vietnam Overtures^[23]	Stephane Gauger
	Kingship	Julien Favre

TV series and TV mini series

Year	Series	No. of Episodes	Episodes Titles	Notes
2023	Ahsoka	2	Part Two: Toil And Trouble Part Three: Time To Fly
2022	Roar^[24]	2 as Cinematographer 1 as Director	As Cinematographer "The Woman Who Found Bite Marks on Her Skin" "The Woman Who Solved Her Own Murder" As Director "The Woman Who Returned Her Husband"
2022	Minx^[25]	1	"Not like a shvantz right in the face"
2021	Maid^[26]^[27]	4 as Cinematographer 1 as Director	As Cinematographer "Dollar Store" "Ponies" "Sky Blue" "Snaps" As Director "Bear Hunt"^[27]
2020	A Teacher^[28]	10	[All 10 episodes]
2019	Unbelievable^[29]^[30]^[31]	3	Episodes 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3
2018	Camping^[32]	8	[All 8 episodes]
2018	Here and Now^[2]^[6]^[33]	5	"It's Coming" "If a Deer Sh*ts in the Woods" "Fight, Death" "Wake" "Dream Logic"
2015	Dr. Mona Vand: The Modern Pharmacist^[34]	1	"Is There a Difference Between Physical Dependence and Addiction?"
2012	Dark Wall^[35]	2	"Whispers" "Home: A Ghost Story"
2009	Atom TV^[36]	1	Episode 2.1
2008	Imaginary Bitches^[37]	13	Season 1, Episodes 1-13	Emmy Nomination^[38]

Shorts

Year	Title	Director	Notes
2019	Stucco^[39]	Janina Gavankar Russo Schelling
2015	SMILF^[40]^[41]	Frankie Shaw	Winner, Jury Award for Sundance Shorts^[41]^[42]
	Keystone	Brandon Fayette
2014	The Learning Curve^[43]	Phil McCarty
2013	Noel^[44]	Joe Holt
2009	The Empty Space in Between^[45]	Maria Tornberg
2009	Waiting Room^[46]	Katharine O'Brien
2009	The Fence^[47]	Matt Silas
	Monkey	Yoshie Suzuki
2007	Joburg^[48]^[49]	Thabo Wolfaardt
2007	Beast^[50]	Geeta Malik
2007	A Watermelon Seed (Gua zi)^[51]^[52]	Miqi Huang
2006	Chinese Dumplings^[53]	Michelle Hung
2006	Hurricane Party^[54]	AP Gonzalez
2006	Maggie's Not Here^[55]	Justin Lerner
	Swallow	Emily Taylor-Mortorff
2005	Echostop^[56]	Justin Lerner

Appearance in a documentary

Year	Title	Role	Crew role, notes
2011	"Sam Riegel and Quyen Tran on 9/11"^[57]	Herself	Documentary footage on 9/11 attack, used in 102 Minutes That Changed America and other documentaries

Article mentions and interviews

Between the Sheets: Quyen Tran, Critical Role interview with Brian W. Foster^[58]

#belowthelinesowhite? Hollywood’s Rank & File Leaders Tackle Diversity^[59]

Four Asian-American Women Share Their Experiences Working in Hollywood, by Peter Caranicas^[60]

How 'The Little Hours' DP Used 'Crazy Rigs' to Recreate Film School on an Unpredictable Set, by Hawkins DuBois^[16]

“How to Sell the Outrageous Premise of the Film”: DP Quyen Tran on Deidra & Laney Rob a Train, by Filmmaker Staff^[61]

International Women’s Day: 17 female cinematographers to celebrate, by Nikki Baughman^[62]

Interview: Cinematographer Quyen Tran on the Minute Details of Filming “The Little Hours," by Stephen Saito^[63]

Motion picture academy invites largest class ever in continued push for diversity, by Josh Rottenberg^[64]

Sundance 2017 Q+A — Cinematographer Quyen Tran, by David Alexander Willis^[65]

Quyen Tran on Shooting Frankie Shaw’s Sundance-Winning SMILF, by Scott Macaulay^[41]

References

1. As pronounced by Tran in "Between the Sheets: Quyen Tran".
2. Lindsay, Benjamin (3 June 2021) [13 March 2018]. "Take It From a DP (and Holly Hunter): Follow Your Instincts on Set". Backstage. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
3. Forfeit, Kate (8 July 2019). "Cinematographer on the Rise Finds Connection in Urban Oasis". Variety. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
4. Erbland, Kate; O'Falt, Chris (23 January 2017). "Girl Talk Live: Female Cinematographers on How They Made Their Sundance Films — Watch". IndieWire. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
5. "Rising Stars of Cinematography 2017". American Society of Cinematographers. 10 February 2017. from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
6. Giardina, Carolyn (20 June 2018). "From 'Handmaid's Tale' to 'Altered Carbon': 4 Cinematographers on Shooting 'Epic and Intimate' Scenes". The Hollywood Reporter. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
7. Dowd, Maureen (28 February 2015). "Dirty Words From Pretty Mouths". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
8. Hale, Mike (14 July 2011). "A Kindhearted Man in a Small Town [Movie Review: 'Girlfriend']". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
9. Rechtshaffen, Michael (11 March 2016). "Review: In 'Automatic Hate,' the ties that bind are bitter and spiteful". Los Angeles Times. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
10. "Quyen Tran". IMDb. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
11. Dillard, Samantha (18 June 2021). "ASC Welcomes New Member Quyen Tran". American Society of Cinematographers. from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
12. "Quyen Tran, DP". www.quyenfilm.com. Retrieved 2019-03-18.
13. Tangcay, Jazz (25 April 2019). "Newport Beach Film Festival Celebrates 20 Years Of Art, Food and Film". Awards Daily. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
14. "All Work No Play: Fire Spinning". YouTube. Critical Role. 4 November 2018. At 8 minutes 15 seconds. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2020. Sam Riegel: I had to convert to Catholicism to get married to my wife.
15. Marchant, Beth (4 March 2021). "The Cinematographers; That Big Shot; Those behind the camera of 'Palm Springs,' 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' and 'The Father' tell how they filmed their movies' biggest truth-telling moments". Los Angeles Times. pp. S.10.
16. DuBois, Hawkins (30 June 2017). "How 'The Little Hours' DP Used 'Crazy Rigs' to Recreate Film School on an Unpredictable Set". No Film School. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
17. Harvey, Dennis (5 November 2015). "Film Review: 'The Automatic Hate'". Variety. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
18. "American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs (2013) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
19. "POV: American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs". The Peabody Awards. 2014. from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
20. Anderson, John (28 September 2010). "Girlfriend". Variety. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
21. "Girlfriend (2010) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
22. Catsoulis, Jeannette (12 August 2010). "Tales of a Trashy Bachelorette [Movie Review: 'The People I've Slept With". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
23. "Vietnam Overtures (2008 TV Movie) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
24. "Roar (2022– ) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
25. "Minx (2022– ) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
26. "Maid (2021) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
27. Friedman, Illya (19 January 2022). "Quyen Tran, ASC, on directing and shooting episodes of the Netflix limited series Maid". Cam Noir. from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
28. "A Teacher (2020) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
29. Kieling, Max (2 October 2019). "Netflix limited series explores effects of society failing to believe women". Daily Bruin. from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
30. "Unbelievable (2019) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
31. Rochlin, Margy (19 November 2019). "'Unbelievable' keeps its rape investigation real, including treatment of the victims". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
32. "Camping (2018) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
33. "Here and Now (2018) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
34. "Dr. Mona Vand: The Modern Pharmacist (2014– ) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
35. "Dark Wall (2012– ) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
36. "Atom TV (2008–2010) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
37. "Imaginary Bitches (2008–2009) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
38. (PDF). Emmy Awards. National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 14 March 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 May 2014.
39. "Stucco (2019) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
40. "SMILF (2015) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
41. Macaulay, Scott (13 February 2015). "Quyen Tran on Shooting Frankie Shaw's Sundance-Winning SMILF". Filmmaker Magazine. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
42. Andreeva, Nellie (17 April 2015). "Frankie Shaw's Sundance Short 'SMILF' To Be Developed As Showtime Comedy". Deadline. from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
43. "The Learning Curve (2014) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
44. "Noël (2013) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
45. "The Empty Space in Between (2009) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
46. "Waiting Room (2009) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
47. "The Fence (2009) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
48. Boden, Daniel (19 January 2010). "Sundance Film Festival to screen UCLA-affiliated films". Daily Bruin. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
49. "Joburg (2007) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
50. "Beast (2007) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
51. "Gua zi (2007) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
52. "Credit List". A Watermelon Seed (aka Gua zi). 22 May 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
53. "Chinese Dumplings (2006) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
54. "Hurricane Party (2006) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
55. "Maggie's Not Here (2006) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
56. "Echostop (2005) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
57. Riegel, Sam; Tran, Quyen (11 September 2001). "Sam Riegel and Quyen Tran on 9/11". History.com (Video captured in Gateway Plaza by Sam Riegel and Quyen Tran on 11 September 2001). from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
58. Foster, Brian W. (6 February 2019). "Between the Sheets: Quyen Tran". YouTube (Video interview with Quyen Tran). Critical Role. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
59. Weiner, Rex (24 February 2016). "#belowthelinesowhite? Hollywood's Rank & File Leaders Tackle Diversity". Capital & Main. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
60. Caranicas, Peter (1 November 2016). "Four Asian-American Women Share Their Experiences Working in Hollywood". Variety. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
61. "'How to Sell the Outrageous Premise of the Film': DP Quyen Tran on Deidra & Laney Rob a Train". Filmmaker Magazine. 29 January 2017. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
62. Baughman, Nikki (8 March 2018). "International Women's Day: 17 female cinematographers to celebrate". British Film Institute. from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
63. Saito, Stephen (30 June 2017). "Interview: Cinematographer Quyen Tran on the Minute Details of Filming 'The Little Hours'". The Moveable Fest. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
64. Rottenberg, Josh (25 June 2018). "Motion picture academy invites largest class ever in continued push for diversity". Los Angeles Times. from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
65. Willis, David Alexander (20 January 2017). . HD Video Pro. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

External links

• Quyen Tran at IMDb