The Performing Arts is one of the pillars of Auckland Grammar School, alongside academia and sports. A number of Old Boys have gone on to have great success on the world stage, including actor Russell Crowe '77 and Tom Cotton '99, a stunt performer who has worked with the likes of Robert Pattinson on The Batman. Another Old Boy who is making a name for himself on the international stage is Jeremy Chi '15. His journey from the classrooms of Mountain Road to film sets in New York City is one marked by creative ambition, cultural curiosity, and a deep sense of personal storytelling.

Jeremy has always had a passion for storytelling and the arts, and credits his time at the School with laying a solid foundation for his career. "Studying at Auckland Grammar and being in a high-achieving environment helped me to stay focused in discipline and critical thinking, even when I wasn't following a traditional path."

That unconventional path took root early. Jeremy was the only Form 7 student to take A-Level Photography, but the Art department ran the course especially for him. "That ended up being a crucial starting point for my visual storytelling," he recalls. Alongside his academic classes, Jeremy was a member of the School's Media Group, taking photos of the myriad of different events throughout the year, as well as the major School productions. "These experiences gave me early hands-on experience in creative collaboration and leadership, and made me more certain that this was what I wanted to pursue."

After graduating in the School's sesquicentenary year in 2019, Jeremy moved to the United States and studied filmmaking at Tisch School of the Arts, the performing, cinematic, and media arts school of New York University. The transition from Auckland's structured academic environment to Tisch's creative intensity was eye-opening.

"NYU was messy and creatively intense - but in the best way! We made everything from personal edits to five-person crew shorts to five-day shoots with 30 people on set. It taught me that filmmaking isn't just about talent, but persistence, collaboration, and being honest in your work."

Jeremy is now based in New York full-time and works as an editor and sound engineer. "It is rewarding but also highly competitive. You need strong technical skills, solid communication, and the ability to collaborate across cultures." Alongside commercial work, he devotes time to personal projects such as Chroma and Chocolate with Sprinkles, which have been screened at international film festivals. "It is a nice balance that keeps me growing professionally, but also grounded about why I wanted to make films in the first place."

Jeremy's latest film, Ice Cream, Ice Queen, is gaining significant attention. The film, which Jeremy directed, edited, and sound designed, explores themes of cultural displacement, language, and fleeting connection between two women in a foreign city. Its world premiere at the International Queer and Migrant Film Festival in Amsterdam saw it win Best Short Film, and is set to make its New York debut at the 48th Asian American International Film Festival. Jeremy says the recognition is gratifying. "There is nothing more rewarding than knowing your work resonated with someone, especially during panels, when audience members asked about specific sound design or editing choices, felt truly seen."

While still working on different campaigns for clients such as Amazon Prime Video and Braze, Jeremy is also looking at his next personal project: an environmental documentary entitled Language of Trash about a New York-based artist who transforms plastic waste into art. It's a project that once again combines artistry with a strong social message, the hallmarks of Jeremy's filmmaking style.

Despite the accolades and growing international presence, Jeremy remains grounded in his roots - and he is proud to be an Old Boy of - in his words - one of the most prestigious high schools in New Zealand. "Being an Auckland Grammar Old Boy means coming from a place of legacy and excellence, but forging your own version of it. I have taken what I learned and built something of my own. I may not have followed a conventional career path, but the Grammar ethos of striving to do your best has always stayed with me."

To those looking to follow a similar path, Jeremy's advice is simple: "Just get started. You don't need to wait for film school or permission. Start creating, even if it is scrappy. You will continue to improve as you go. Stay curious and tell the stories only you can tell."