Today we’d like to introduce you to Denan Deng.
Denan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a director and cinematographer currently living in LA.
I’m from Changsha, China, a city surrounded by mountains. However, I didn’t grow up there—I was born in Shenzhen, then moved to Beijing. After my parents divorced, I followed my mother to Changsha.
For college, I went to Emerson College in Boston, majoring in Visual Media Arts. During my time at Emerson, I enjoyed shooting on 16mm film and gradually realized my passion for narrative storytelling, which led me to focus more on that direction. After graduating, I worked at a production company and a film distribution company. I am now pursuing my master’s degree in Film and Television Production at USC.
I’ve also developed a strong interest in shooting music videos and commercials. I find that these formats rely more on visuals to tell a story, whereas I personally enjoy conveying a complete story with minimal dialogue.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For Chinese students, studying film is incredibly challenging—both culturally and practically.
In the U.S., kids might start learning about filmmaking from a young age. But in China, most students spend the majority of their time studying, leaving little room to explore personal interests. Yet, film remains a significant part of Chinese culture. Before the pandemic, I could feel the Chinese film industry growing rapidly, but that’s no longer the case.
For international students, finding a way to stay and work after graduation is just as important. Only a handful of people manage to stay, especially in artistic fields. I’m not sure if you’re familiar with the O-1 visa—it’s a visa that requires you to prove you’re more skilled than most Americans in your field just to be eligible to stay. For many young filmmakers today, pursuing a career in film feels like an impossible dream.
On top of that, China’s film industry still lacks a proper system. There are no unions, and no one is there to protect workers’ rights. Many film crews work 16-hour shifts or pull multiple all-nighters. A friend once told me about a production that went through three DPs because the first two died on set from exhaustion. In China, there’s no such thing as overtime pay—no one cares about your health. This has become a widespread issue. And with the country’s economic situation struggling, refusing to accept these conditions often means losing your job. As a result, most people have no choice but to endure it in silence.
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?
I’m a director and cinematographer, primarily working on narrative short films. Of course, I also shoot commercials and music videos, and sometimes, I enjoy experimenting with abstract visuals—just for fun. But storytelling is where my passion truly lies.
Ever since I was a child, movies have been a significant part of my life. I grew up watching films with my parents, and some of my most memorable moments happened either in a theater or on the way home from one. I used to celebrate my birthdays at the movies, and taking someone I liked to a film felt like the perfect way to understand their values and perspectives.
As I started studying filmmaking, I realized that not only do I love it, but I also have a natural ability for it. I can visualize stories and music in a way that feels intuitive to me. When I read a script or listen to a piece of music, I immediately see the corresponding images in my mind. This instinctual way of translating narrative and sound into visuals has become one of my strongest skills, shaping the way I approach every project.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’ve always felt like I’m not a particularly lucky person. I constantly have to prepare more than others, just in case something goes wrong. Maybe luck only shows up when you’re truly prepared. Good things don’t just randomly happen to people who aren’t ready for them.
Pricing:
- My normal day rate: $400
Contact Info:
- Website: https://denandeng.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickication/
- Other: email: denan.deng@gmail.com
Image Credits
Denan Deng.
