Life & Work with Natalia Yi of New York City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Yi.

Hi Natalia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started filming nearly fifteen years ago after finding an old camera at home. What began as filming friends and dance rehearsals turned into a deeper passion when people started asking me to film projects for them. I studied journalism in Moscow with the goal of getting into a film and TV program, but when I didn’t get in, I dropped out and continued pursuing filmmaking on my own.

Later, I worked in music video production, where I gained my first professional experience. Wanting to learn more, I enrolled in film school in Toronto—despite barely speaking English at the time. Realizing that the technical and visual sides alone weren’t enough for a truly strong project, I decided to study acting. I moved to New York to train in Method Acting at the Lee Strasberg Institute. I hadn’t planned to act myself, but a lot has changed. Now, I work across film and theater—both behind the scenes and as a performer. It’s been a long road, but every step has brought me closer to the kind of artist I want to be.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road. I’ve faced language barriers, school rejections, self-doubt, and the challenge of being very shy in a field that demands communication. I had to leave countries, start over multiple times, and constantly take risks without knowing what would happen. But every challenge helped me grow—not just as an artist, but as a person. It’s been a long path, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work across film and theater as a director, performer, and crew member. I started with filmmaking—shooting, editing, and producing—but over time, I realized that understanding the emotional side of storytelling was just as important as the technical craft. That’s what led me to study acting. I didn’t expect to fall in love with it, but it completely changed how I see and approach my work.

What sets me apart is that I’ve lived both sides of the process—behind the scenes and on stage. I know how to guide a set, and I also know what it feels like to be completely exposed as a performer. That dual perspective helps me create with more empathy, precision, and intention. I’m most proud of building my path from scratch—across countries, languages, and challenges—by staying committed to growth, taking creative risks, and focusing on work that feels honest and lasting.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
AI is already reshaping the film industry—from scriptwriting to editing—and that shift is only going to accelerate. But I don’t see it replacing artists; I see it becoming a tool. What will stand out even more in the coming years is work rooted in emotional truth and originality. It will push us to dig deeper into what makes our work truly meaningful.

Audiences are smart—they can feel when something is made with soul. I believe live performance and deeply personal storytelling will continue to grow as a counterbalance to tech-driven trends. As technology advances, I think people will become even more sensitive to what feels emotionally real. There’s something irreplaceable about the presence and vulnerability of a human being on stage or on screen—something no algorithm can replicate.

I’m not afraid of the future—I’m interested in how we can stay rooted in soul while evolving with the tools around us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nataliayi.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yinatau/