Written by Sam
How It All Began
After bidding farewell to China after half a decade, we never thought our first big adventure as digital nomads would involve shooting a movie in the Chinese jungles! It’s a wild tale of fortune and the amazing ways WeChat (yep, that super handy social platform in China) can link you up with people you’d never expect to meet.
In April 2023, we made the tough call to bid farewell to Chengdu, China. Despite the opportunities, the commitment required for a thriving life there just didn’t feel worth it anymore. Three years had passed since my last visit to England and family time was overdue. It was time to prioritize what truly matters—family over everything. So, off we went, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of China.
Why Didn’t You Go Home Sooner?
You might wonder, why the delay? Well, China’s unique handling of the Covid-19 situation kept its borders shut until late 2022. That left residents with a simple choice between staying in or out, with no clear timeline. While the world grappled with the pandemic, life in China, surprisingly, carried on as usual. It felt surreal—living normally while the rest of the world locked down.
With this backdrop, Catherine and I decided it was time to move on in 2023. My university contract wrapped up in June, but Catherine still had work until July. That left me with a month to kill.
Catherine stumbled upon a tutoring gig on WeChat, and we thought, why not? What started as a plan for me to tutor a kid for a few hours a week turned into something remarkable…
Tutoring Gig
After stumbling upon a tutoring opportunity advertised on WeChat, I found myself chatting with the child’s mother over the phone. Our conversation quickly delved into the joys of literature and the importance of a classical education, a topic close to her heart. I couldn’t help but notice her elegant French accent, which led us to exchange a few words in French, much to her delight. From there, our discussion deepened, focusing on her son’s educational journey.
Reflecting on it now, it’s amusing to realize I had no idea who I was speaking with, nor did I know her husband’s identity. But perhaps that ignorance worked in my favor, allowing me to approach the conversation authentically, treating her as I would anyone else.
All I knew at the time was that a young actor from Beijing was due to film in town for a few months, necessitating a tutor during his time away from school. With few foreigners available for such a short stint in Chengdu, it seemed like fate had intervened, as I happened to have exactly a month free before my own departure. What a perfect match it turned out to be!
Meeting the Young Film Star
So, I had this unexpected adventure. I hopped on a 90-minute ride to meet someone, which was definitely out of the ordinary for me! But hey, the film company footed the bill for my journey, and they kept doing so each time after that. Let me tell you, it didn’t take long to realize that people in this world talk about money in millions, not thousands.
After that long journey, I finally arrived at an international hotel and settled into the lobby to wait for the lady I’d been in contact with. When she found me, she whisked me away to the top-floor conference room. Walking in, I was hit with a wave of excitement and nerves as I realized I was surrounded by artists of all kinds – from set designers to the director himself. At that point, though, I still didn’t know who was who.
And then, there he was – the young film star. He was just like any other guy you’d expect from a private school: polite and respectful, but also eager to have a good time. We chatted for about 20 minutes, and then I was quickly introduced to some other key crew members and stars. All in all, I spent less than 45 minutes at the hotel before hopping back into the hired car for another 90-minute journey home.
“Online teaching? Let’s do it in person!”
My journey with my new student kicked off with our very first online class, and guess what? It was a math lesson. Armed with the textbook from his school, I prepped the session, focusing on the key points. And you know what? He loved it! Now, I’m not entirely sure what I did that was so special. Sometimes, you just don’t know. Even if you get everything right, are you truly learning?
In today’s results-driven world, many young folks (including yours truly) feel a pang of shame when they’re wrong or not quite nailing a subject. But here’s the kicker: my new student didn’t even like math until I came along. We took it slow, letting him explore what interested him. Little did I know, that simple approach worked like magic.
After just one lesson, I got to know him a bit better. Like most teenage boys, he loved gaming and basketball. So, I made sure his learning was relevant to his interests. Later, I heard whispers on the movie set about how he aced his history class – news travels fast, huh? People were already buzzing about “Mr. Sam”.
His mom wanted more in-person classes, but with our schedules, it was tricky. Then she had an idea: “Why not travel with him to and from the movie set?” And just like that, my tutoring gig turned into a full-day commitment.
At first, it was a bit frustrating. I’d spend nights at a hotel 90 minutes away from Catherine. I’d catch a glimpse of him in the morning and evening, then wonder what to do with my free time. But I saw the opportunity for what it was – a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Before I knew it, I was in the middle of a movie set.
“Sound Speed!”
What on Earth does that mean? I had no clue until I heard it a hundred times a day. Turns out, it’s the cue for silence because the sound equipment’s rolling. On my first day, I was greeted like royalty. The producer herself was expecting me, and everyone seemed pumped about my arrival. Why? Because apparently, the boy had been singing my praises over the walkie-talkie channels. I even got a seat next to the director – talk about VIP treatment!
My role evolved. I wasn’t just the tutor anymore; I was also helping the boy with his English lines. Despite being fluent, he’d slip up on grammar now and then. So, I became the grammar police, stopping filming to fix errors.
My importance became clear when I had to leave the set early one day. The visual effects producer called me, along with the director and the main actor (who happened to be my student), to ensure his English was on point. It was surreal – a simple tutoring role had turned me into a crucial part of the movie.
I even joined a script reading with the actors. I was in charge of fixing any grammatical issues, feeling a bit out of my depth. But despite my humble background, everyone treated me with respect.
Back to China
I continued tutoring and coaching accents for the rest of Block A filming. But the producers wanted me back for Block B. There was just one hiccup: Catherine. We were supposed to be starting a new chapter as digital nomads in Mexico. Leaving her behind felt wrong. So, after some back-and-forth, they found a role for her too. She would be the dialogue coach. Turns out, they valued my impact on the Boy enough to make it happen.
Visa Saga
Securing visas was a whole other ordeal. I had to navigate the visa application process while we were in England. We had to gather paperwork and attend visa appointments, adding stress to our stay. But after a couple of trips to London, I got the green light. China, here I come. Now, onto Catherine…
We jetted off to the US for round two of visa applications. Catherine needed a new driver’s license due to a change of address, delaying her application. The clock was ticking, and the film company had already booked our flights. But after some nail-biting days, we both got our visas. China, here we come (again)!
Block B and City Filming
Block B took us from the jungles to the cityscape. Days were long — between 10 to 13 hour days — and were mostly spent sitting on wooden boxes while waiting to be needed. Sometimes, it felt like we were really important on set. Other days, not so much.
Catherine faced her own challenges, not always getting the respect she deserved. But hey, it was all part of the adventure. We rubbed elbows with movie stars, learned the ins and outs of film production, and even got up close and personal with pandas.
It was a wild ride, one we wouldn’t have had if we’d stayed in our comfort zone. So, here’s a question for you: When you leave behind the familiar, what’s waiting for you on the other side?
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