Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Wang.
Hi Ryan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I didn’t have much knowledge about filmmaking or the arts until the end of my third year at UC-Irvine. I was originally studying Anthropology. Later I started to take courses at UCI DigiFilm program to explore visual arts and film. During my senior year, I was selected by the school as a solo documentary filmmaker and sent to a local farm at the top of Mountain Manhku in rural Nepal to make a documentary. The farm provided a safe haven for struggling women and children to live, work, and thrive. My experience in Nepal had a huge impact on me and inspired me to continue working in film. I was particularly interested in experimental films and video art, which led me to apply to graduate school. I was accepted to the Visual Arts MFA program at Columbia University, where my two years of study greatly expanded my understanding of visual arts and film. I began exhibiting my videos in galleries and movie theaters, exploring themes such as place, displacement, and memories. After graduating, I had the opportunity to teach video art and editing at Syracuse University and Columbia University while continuing to work with galleries and museums to create videos.
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?
There are always challenges. When making films, I often don’t work with a large crew, so I usually film on my own. I particularly enjoy documentary filmmaking, but during production, unexpected situations often arise. Fortunately, these surprises can also lead to exciting moments in the films. Throughout my journey, I have been extremely fortunate to meet mentors and collaborators who have provided invaluable help. My professors and mentors at UCI-Irvine and Columbia have offered me guidance and motivation, especially during times when I feel lost. I’ve also worked with many great collaborators, such as my producer Joyce Xing, who produced my thesis work and provided vital support during the process. Without their assistance, I could not have completed my films.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a visual artist and filmmaker based in Los Angles and New York. My film and video work often blend elements of fiction, documentary, and experimental genres to explore themes of place, displacement, and memories. My recent works, including video installations, delve into the construction of visual narratives and storytelling. I embrace the avant-garde and essayistic modes of fiction and non-fiction cinema. I received my MFA in Visual Arts from Columbia University. I’m currently teaching film and video at Syracuse University and Columbia University. My work has been shown both in film festivals, galleries and museums. I have an upcoming screening in May at Jewish Museum in New York City. In addition to my own creative endeavors, I also work as a freelance artist, helping other artists to create and install their work. I am passionate about collaborating with other artists to bring their visions to life.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
When it comes to production, there are many factors that are outside of our control, such as the weather. I enjoy filming on snowy days because the weather is like another character. However, on one particular filming day, the weather was unexpectedly bright and sunny. Instead of worrying about it, I just went with the situation and did my best to capture the scene.
Fortunately, towards the end of the shoot, it started snowing heavily, which gave us the opportunity to capture a beautiful ending scene with the snow falling. Despite the unpredictability of the situation, I just try my best to prepare things. While we can’t control everything that happens, we can still do our best to be ready for the unexpected and embrace it. Ultimately, I try not to think too much about luck and instead focus on doing my best work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ryanmuchenwang.com/
- Instagram: @muchenryan
Image Credits
Ryan Wang
