Today we’d like to introduce you to Ziqi Gao.
Hi Ziqi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
To get back home from Los Angeles, I need to get on a 15-hour flight to Beijing, take another 3-hour flight to Changchun, and get on a bus for 2 hours.
My story is really about how a kid, speaking completely a different language, suddenly made up her mind to set out to American film industry in the farthest place you can imagine. At the age of 17, I received the highest scholarship and decided and manage to studying directing at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. While in New York, I directed and produced several short films and learned valuable skills from some of the most talented professionals in the industry.
During the pandemic, I received an offer to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Producing from the prestigious American Film Institute in Los Angeles. I packed my bags and headed to LA to learn the art of script development and creative producing. In May 2022, I graduated with my MFA degree, and I’m now excited to embark on my journey as a filmmaker in this worldwide industry.
Looking back at the seven years I spent in the US, and the film work that I created, I can confidently say that I am a determined individual who is passionate about telling stories through film. I will never regret the day I got on the airplane alone, leaving my homeland with a dream yet to be achieved and stories yet to be told.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Studying in the U.S. was a big financial challenge for me. I felt desperate when I realized that pursuing my dream of becoming an independent director required a significant upfront investment. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to get people to pay me to make movies, which led me to discover my natural talent for producing. Unlike directing, producing suited my extroverted personality, and I found joy in bringing creative ideas to life.
Despite being known among my friends as an enthusiastic and infectious person, it took me years to learn to express my thoughts sincerely in English after coming to the U.S. As an outsider, I had to navigate the challenges of maximizing the resources available to me while also grappling with my identity as an Asian girl in a predominantly white industry. However, I’m proud to have overcome these obstacles and have worked hard to establish myself in the industry, pursuing my passion for storytelling and producing meaningful content.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have experience in a variety of roles within production companies, including physical production, administrative work, development, and office coordination. I have worked in companies based in New York, LA, and Beijing. My diverse background and experiences give me a unique perspective in the industry. Growing up in China, studying in New York, and now based in LA, I have a global outlook that brings a fresh and innovative approach to my work. As a passionate filmmaker, I enjoy every aspect of the creative process, from development to post-production. I particularly love incorporating magical realism elements into my work and focusing on the perspectives of young women. For example, in my latest short film, “A Roadside Banquet,” an Asian girl becomes a feather duster at her brother’s birthday party. In “Hammer Price,” a short I produced and directed as a proof of concept, an auction allows people to trade their life for material possessions. Through my work, I strive to tell unique stories that offer a fresh perspective and connect with audiences worldwide.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Even after seven years in the film industry, I feel like I’ve only just begun my journey. To anyone who dreams of making films, I encourage you to keep dreaming, even if it means writing your huge-budget impossible sci-fi script, filming stupid footage on your iPhone. Every effort, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, is a step towards your goal. Your scripts and clips are will be the foundation of your craft. One day, your work will come to life on the screen, and these moments will become highlights of your journey. So hang in there and keep pursuing your passion, like me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aroadsidebanquet.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irisziqi/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E5%AD%90%E6%B7%87-%E9%AB%98-4544b7191/
