Today we’d like to introduce you to Chenglin Xie.
Hi Chenglin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a passionate creator, director, and story artist originally from China, where my artistic journey began with a childhood love for drawing and storytelling. My formal education led me to the prestigious China Central Academy of Fine Arts, where I honed my animation skills. There, I crafted my first animated short, ‘Life Smartphone,’ a viral sensation amassing 300 million views in China alone by 2017 and earning accolades like the Gold Medal at the 44th Student Academy Awards, a shortlisting at the 90th Academy Awards, an Annie Award nomination, and recognition from the Sundance Film Festival, among many others.
After graduating, I pursued advanced studies at the University of Southern California (USC). In 2022, I premiered my recent work, ‘Meal On The Plate,’ at Sundance again, followed by its selection in over a dozen Academy Award-qualified festivals. Additionally, it received awards, including the Best Animated Short Jury Award at the 2022 FIRST International Film Festival and the Special Jury Award at the 2022 Los Angeles Animation Festival.
Beyond creating animated shorts, I collaborated with multiple Chinese and US animation companies as a director and writer for industry project development. From 2021 to mid-2023, I worked as a Story Artist at Netflix Animation, contributing to both their original animated features and series projects. Recently, represented by the Gotham Group, I’m actively pitching my original animated feature and series projects, eager to continue my animation journey, create memorable characters, and share captivating stories with global audiences.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I consider myself quite lucky on my journey, with a supportive family, encouraging mentors, and a living environment where I have professors, friends, and colleagues who provide a creative and open space for my ideas to flow freely. Of course, there are struggles along the way as well, especially during the creative process. Each new project feels like embarking on a new adventure and exploring uncharted territory, requiring extensive research, fine-tuning, making ‘mistakes’, and problem-solving. To discover the best approach that aligns with the project’s vision, I always encounter moments of struggle, particularly during the pre-production phase. It’s a step-by-step process, and there are no shortcuts. Just as you need time to get to know a new friend, you also need time to really understand your projects, which enables you to find the best way and perspective to introduce them to others. I vividly recall a time when I faced significant challenges in a project, and I turned to a documentary about Miyazaki while he was designing the opening scene of “Ponyo.” He created many options but wasn’t satisfied with any of them, enduring substantial struggle until he found the perfect design, resulting in the breathtaking and dreamlike beginning of “Ponyo,” with the titular character resting atop a giant jellyfish, gazing up at the human world. So, I’ve learned to ease my frustration when I’m struggling with something, understanding that struggle is a part of the creative process too.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an animated film creator and director, first gaining public recognition through my animated short film, ‘Life Smartphone,’ which quickly went viral on the internet and won numerous international awards. By addressing the prevalent issue of smartphone addiction, I successfully sparked widespread interest and meaningful discussions. My commitment is to create a strong connection with my viewers, making them feel relatable and valued, fostering genuine communication with my audience. To achieve this, I focus on creating relatable characters, engaging narratives, and poignant themes. Film, as a form of art, serves as a communication medium where artist’s expression should merge with the audience’s reaction. I dedicate an extensive effort to finding content that universally and emotionally connects with the audience.
Later, I created other films, such as ‘Meal on the Plate’ and ‘Father and Daughter,’ all of which generated valuable conversations and feedback. My aspiration is to continue using my personal and professional experiences to shape my artistic vision and touch the hearts of audiences worldwide. I leverage all cinematic elements, including visual language, cinematography, sound, and music, to effectively convey my ideas. I believe making a film is like crafting a finely-tuned machine. It requires careful attention to both the big picture and every detail to ensure it runs seamlessly and perfectly before the audience. In other words, nothing on the screen is arbitrary; everything is meticulously planned. This is the challenge in the creation and production for every project. Currently, I am with my representation company, Gotham Group, pitching and preparing new projects to bring my visions to a larger audience. I hope my next film will soon meet audiences in cinemas.
How do you think about luck?
In China, there’s a traditional story that says, ‘Sai Weng lost his horse, but who knows if it’s not a blessing?’ which roughly translates to ‘Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise.’ The story is about an elderly man whose lost horse returned with an extra one. While neighbors called it great fortune, he remained philosophical, knowing situations change. His son’s injury from riding the new horse once considered a misfortune, spared his only child from a war draft that no one survived later. The tale highlights life’s unpredictability and the shifting nature of luck. Like the belief in the balance between Yin and Yang, good luck and bad luck are intertwined and can transform into each other. Thus, bad luck isn’t necessarily all bad, and good luck doesn’t guarantee a trouble-free life.
Regarding good luck, I’ve been fortunate to encounter kind-hearted individuals who have provided me with help and support throughout my journey of growth. As I pursue my dreams, I strive to work hard and live up to the expectations and blessings of those who have supported me. In moments of bad luck, I’ve come to realize that life’s challenges are opportunities for personal growth. Just as this story teaches us, difficulties are often a test of our resilience. They can make us stronger and better prepared for the future. When the right moment arrives, I can face it confidently, seize the opportunity, and move forward with determination. This traditional wisdom reminds me that life is a continuous cycle of ups and downs, and it’s our ability to adapt and learn from these experiences that truly matters.
I really like what Roman Rolland said, ‘There is only one true heroism in the world: to see the world as it is, and to love it.’ Embracing both the ups and downs of life is a testament to our true heroism, as it allows us to appreciate the richness of the human experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chenglin.wixsite.com/chenglin
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chenglin.xie
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chenglinxiefilm/
