Today we’d like to introduce you to Yuxi Xing.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I first fell in love with filmmaking while growing up in China, long before I understood what a producer actually does. My early career began in commercials, where I produced campaigns for national brands and collaborated with major Chinese agencies and top-tier directors. Those years trained my ability to problem-solve quickly, manage complex teams, and stay calm under pressure.
After moving to the United States to pursue my MFA at Chapman University, I began directing narrative shorts. My film Cash Only, which I produced and directed, explored moral dilemmas faced by immigrants during the pandemic. The film went on to screen at festivals such as LA Shorts International Film Festival, the DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival, and Indie Short Fest, receiving both nominations and awards.
In 2024, I joined Crazy Maple Studio—the company behind the ReelShort app and one of TIME’s “100 Most Influential Companies.” There, I discovered a new storytelling format: vertical mobile series. As a post-production producer, I oversee shows that reach massive global audiences. Projects I led, such as Breaking the Ice (280M+ views) and The Double Life of a Billionaire Heiress (115M+ views), became some of the platform’s most-watched titles.
My path has blended traditional filmmaking, commercial production, and now high-speed digital storytelling. Each chapter taught me something new about how stories can move people—no matter the format.
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?
Not at all—but every challenge pushed me toward a new part of my career.
When I moved to the U.S. for film school, I had to rebuild my professional network from zero. I also had to adapt to new working styles, cultural expectations, and a different entertainment system. Producing Cash Only during the pandemic was another major test—locations were limited, safety protocols were constantly changing, and the emotional weight of the story required careful handling. But the film’s success reminded me that limitations can inspire creativity.
Transitioning into vertical series production introduced a whole new set of challenges. The pace is incredibly fast, the audience responds instantly, and every second counts. In projects like Breaking the Ice, we had to rebuild the entire soundscape for an ice-hockey arena due to unusable on-set audio. Coordinating between VFX, sound, and editorial teams under tight deadlines taught me a new level of precision and leadership.
None of the challenges were easy, but each milestone shaped me into the producer I am today.
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 work as a post-production producer at Crazy Maple Studio, the company behind the ReelShort app. My job sits at the intersection of creative storytelling and technical coordination—I oversee editors, sound designers, colorists, and VFX teams to make sure every episode delivers the right emotional tone, pacing, and clarity.
Vertical series are a fast-growing format, and producing them requires a completely different mindset from traditional film and television. Because viewers decide within seconds whether they will keep watching or swipe away, every frame has to be intentional. I specialize in shaping the rhythm of each episode, solving creative and technical challenges quickly, and keeping large teams aligned under extremely tight deadlines.
I’ve had the chance to lead post-production on some of ReelShort’s most successful series. Breaking the Ice has earned over 280 million views, and The Double Life of a Billionaire Heiress has surpassed 115 million. Many of the other shows I produced—Kiss Me One Last Time, Accidental Surrogate for the Alpha, and Return of the Lost Heiress—each reached tens of millions of viewers. Helping these projects find their audience is something I’m deeply proud of.
What sets me apart is my ability to bridge traditional filmmaking training with the fast, data-driven world of mobile-first storytelling. I focus on maintaining emotional depth and narrative clarity while still moving at the pace this format demands. My goal is always the same: to help teams tell compelling stories that resonate, no matter how short the runtime is.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My biggest advice is: don’t wait for perfect conditions to create. Every meaningful project in my career—from commercials to Cash Only to hit vertical series—began under constraints. Limited budget, limited time, limited resources. If you can learn to build something strong under imperfect conditions, you’re already ahead.
Second, understand people. Producing is ultimately about relationships and communication. Whether you’re leading a set, coordinating with editors, or collaborating with VFX artists, your ability to build trust and solve problems will matter just as much as your technical skills.
And finally, stay curious. The entertainment industry evolves fast—vertical storytelling didn’t even exist a few years ago. The path that becomes your big break may be something that hasn’t been invented yet.
Contact Info:
Popular
-
What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
-
Local Highlighter Series
-
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
-
What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
-
Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
-
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
