Rising Stars: Meet Yifan Xiang of Burbank

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yifan Xiang

Hi Yifan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Chengdu, Sichuan, the hometown of the giant pandas. I was a rebellious kid who skipped classes back in middle school to watch films, excellent films, made by some best directors in the world, like Akira Kurosawa, Martin Scorsese, and François Truffaut. I did not enjoy many subjects back then, chemistry, physics, and maths, but I focused a lot on literature, photography, and poetry. This eventually led me towards the realm of filmmaking. At 16, during the summer break, I started an internship at a local television station, where I started working as a camera assistant, building the ENG cameras. Later, I moved to 2nd unit and started capturing B-rolls for documentaries. These opportunities gave me confidence, then I started making independent short films. After moving to the United States for college, I attended the San Francisco Art Institute, immersed in fine arts and new genres. Later, I moved down to Southern California, relearned everything about filmmaking, and started a career focusing on Cinematography, while holding on to my dream of being a writer-director.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being an independent filmmaker is not easy. Especially for immigrants who come from the other side of the planet. Overcoming language barriers, adapting to local working styles, and surviving as a foreigner are just appetizers. The first year I moved here, I had great ambitions to make an independent film, which was eventually left unfinished due to funds. This has been a fishbone in my throat, but at the same time, the failure taught me many things that helped me in the journey of filmmaking. Like Tom Petty’s song, love is a long road. Living through failures and successes are quintessential for the journey of an artist.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
After moving to Los Angeles, I decided to participate more in the realm of cinematography. I learned valuable lessons from established cinematographers while working on countless sets as a camera assistant, operator, gaffer, and best boy electric. These skills I’ve developed over the years helped me significantly in running independent film sets. After working as a crew for three years, I picked up my pen and started creating my piece again. The first film I did in Los Angeles, a period piece, Manchukuo, 1943, Summer has won me 17 awards across the globe, and the second short piece I’ve created, Strangers Under My Skin, has entered Academy Award Qualifier, and Canadian Screen Award Qualifier. My diverse background in filmmaking makes me understand more about how to maximize the efficiency on set. I am proud of both short films I’ve written, directed, photographed, and edited. I enjoyed the full control of my own piece, thus I was always in control of directing and photographing for my films. Growing up watching many auteur-director’s work, I am deeply rooted in expressing my own perspective in the visual languages that I create. One thing sets me apart from many colleagues is that my idea of making the camera a character. Experimenting things that people would not do normally. I remembered a discussion I had with my production designer for Manchukuo, 1943, Summer. I asked him to dig a couple of holes and cover them up, which confused him. Later on set, when the camera gets straight into the holes, and we achieve some unusual angles, the entire crew starts to laugh. At the screening, the production designer, who’s a bit drunk, said, that not many directors would ask me to dig into the ground for the camera, but the camera takes the audience so close to the action, like we were there, on the battlefield of Manchuria.

How do you think about happiness?
My happiness comes from my family the most. I enjoyed spending time with my family, going on a road trip, fishing, hiking, or having dinner. I know I would never be here without their support. As mortals, we have limited time to spend with people, and animals we love, once the time is gone, I know at least I have lovely memories that can keep me accompanied. Happiness may come from many things, ten years ago, achievements, money, and respect may be the things that excite me the most, but now, I realize my genuine happiness only comes from people that I love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://eurekafilmlab.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mynameisyifan/

Image Credits
Yiqing Wei