Today we’d like to introduce you to Yutong Cao.
Hi Yutong, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Grew up in the family with theatre background in Beijing, I used to be an actor. I worked hard and enjoyed living in the characters under the spotlight. Applause from the audience was the biggest reward for me. One day, when I was saying my line to the other actor on the stage: Can’t you recognize me? A voice rose inside: Is it the REAL ME? Trying to answer this, I explored the way of directing in theater for four years and reached some achievements. During this, I wanted my work to last longer and be witnessed by more and more people. What if I combine theater and motion pictures? I desire to develop a voice that allows me to share heartfelt moments with others without the limitation of time. Los Angeles is the ideal environment for artists to survive and be inspired. So, I came here on the way to making my way: Finding my voice in film.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely no. After graduating from college, I worked as a background actor without knowing when it would be my turn to stand at the center of the stage. I applied for countless roles and usually got rejected. I didn’t give up then and I got myself a chance – starred in a feature film, The Engagement. Also, I worked as the first assistant director and second assistant director for several commercial films in China. However, in the meantime, I went through intense inner struggles as I could not find the optimum way to express myself.
Now I moved to LA, and without knowing what the future looked like, I started from zero at Loyola Marymount University as a graduate filmmaking student. I’ve had a hard time knowing I’m running out of inspiration but don’t know how to regain it. Luckily with time passing, life in LA lit up my passion for living and creating.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Rowboat?
I’m an independent film and theater director. I love creating a combination of theater and motion pictures, especially designing delicate and complex long shots with my team. Also, chasing subtle, authentic emotions is always my goal. I capture that in real life, save it, take care of it, and transfer it to my audience.
As a Chinese director, I consider the commonalities and differences between Chinese and American cultures. Also, I want to stand up and do something for Asian artists worldwide. That’s why I’ve recently finished a cool narrative short, The Rowboat. It is a story about a young American-born-Chinese actor and his father reaching the boiling point on the eve of an important audition. It covers an exploration of the relationship between old and new immigrants and social phenomena in China and the United States.
I enjoy cooperating with talented and passionate artists all around Los Angeles. Currently, I’m in the pre-production process of making a commercial music video with my producer Amy.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I grew up in countless famous theaters’ backstages in China. My father is a good actor in China, and I got interested in theater through him.
At the backstages, I made friends with actors and staff and shared tasty cuisine with them. I can still remember the glance of bright light shed on little me. All of these made me fall in love with theater.
When I was 7 years old, I could imitate my father’s performance at dinner parties in front of family members. Of course, I exaggerated his performance and made people laugh.
There was a time that I tried to hide his identity from others so they won’t credit my achievement to my father. And that led to the way of my directing career, trying to prove I could make my way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @yutong_111
Image Credits
Yutong Cao, Director; Xingyu Chen
