Inspiring Conversations with Olivia Wong of OWong Productions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Wong.

Hi Olivia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve known I wanted to be a filmmaker for the rest of my life ever since I was 14. That’s never changed. What has changed is how I’ve approached my goals.

I didn’t grow up with access to the arts. My high school didn’t offer any creative programs and I didn’t know anyone else pursuing this career path. I applied to USC School of Cinematic Arts for undergrad, but was rejected. So, I went to UC Davis instead, which also didn’t have a film production program. For a long time, it felt like I was on the outside looking in.

Since I lacked opportunities, I created my own.

I made my own films, took community college classes, enrolled in summer programs. All of this, largely thanks to the help of my supportive parents. I did anything I could do to get closer to the craft. After graduating UC Davis, I applied to USC again, this time for their MFA program. I got in and moved to Los Angeles in January 2020.

And then, a few months later, the entire world shut down.

Film school became Zoom school. Instead of being on set, collaborating, and creating, I was alone in my apartment staring at a screen. I felt completely disconnected from the reason I fell in love with filmmaking in the first place. So I made a decision that surprised even me: I left. I dropped out of my dream program and chose to pursue hands-on experience instead.

That decision changed everything.

Over the next few years, I worked across nearly every department on set while continuing to write, direct, and produce my own projects. In 2023, I founded OWong Productions, a production company dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and creating safe, inclusive spaces both on and off set. As a queer woman of color, this is something deeply personal to me.

Of course, the pivots didn’t stop there. Shortly after landing our first major client for OWong Productions, the industry strikes hit and work slowed down. I had to adapt quickly. I leaned into photography, a skill I developed while working at UC Davis and built a thriving client base. That eventually led me to being hired by Getty Images, one of the world’s top photography agencies.

After that, another door unexpectedly opened earlier this year in 2026. Through my work as a photographer, someone discovered my work as a writer/director. That introduction led to a meeting with a talent agency. I went in for a cold read and they signed me on the spot — across the board for voice over, theatrical, and commercial acting.

Now, my career consists of filmmaking, photography, and acting. Directing will always be my number one, but each of these skills informs the others. I understand performance differently because I’m in front of the camera now. I frame stories differently because I shoot stills.

My path hasn’t been linear or conventional. I’ve learned how to constantly adapt, how to build from scratch, and how to find opportunities in places that weren’t originally part of the plan. I bring that same resourcefulness and perspective into every project I take on.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Pivoting has been a cornerstone of my journey. It’s almost become part of my creative identity.

For a long time, I saw those pivots as detours. They seemed like crises where things weren’t going according to plan. But over time, I’ve realized they weren’t taking me away from my goals, but rather bringing me closer to them — just in ways I couldn’t have predicted.

Leaving film school. Navigating a global pandemic. Losing work during industry strikes. Stepping into photography more seriously. Unexpectedly becoming an actor. None of these were part of the original blueprint I had for my life. But each one expanded my perspective, strengthened my skillset, and opened doors I didn’t even know existed.

The biggest lesson I’ve taken from all of it is trust. Not in the sense that everything will be easy, but in that even the setbacks are part of the process. There’s always a bigger picture unfolding, even when you can’t see it yet.

As long as I stay open minded and keep creating, I’ve found that I always end up exactly where I need to be.

As you know, we’re big fans of OWong Productions. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
As a queer woman of color, I founded OWong Productions with the belief that storytelling has the power to create connection, inspire change, and amplify voices that are too often silenced/overlooked. As a filmmaker, photographer, and creative entrepreneur, I wanted to build a production company that not only delivers exceptional visual content, but also prioritizes quality, community, and inclusivity in everything we do. Creating safe, collaborative spaces where authentic stories can thrive (particularly those centered around BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented communities) is the heart of OWong Productions.

Based in Los Angeles, OWong Productions is a queer- and women-owned independent production company specializing in narrative filmmaking, commercial content, music videos, and photography/videography. We offer full-scale production services from concept development to post-production, helping brands, artists, organizations, and individuals bring their stories to life through compelling visual storytelling.

What sets us apart is our ability to combine cinematic storytelling with real-world authenticity. My background as a filmmaker and actor, and Getty Images photographer allows me to approach every project with both a creative and documentary mindset. After studying at the USC School of Cinematic Arts MFA Program, I chose to leave academia to build OWong Productions. That entrepreneurial leap continues to shape our approach today: creative, adaptable, and driven by a genuine commitment to impactful storytelling.

Brand-wise, I am most proud that OWong Productions has remained true to its mission as we’ve grown. We have been fortunate to receive recognition through film festival selections, directing awards, press features, and industry partnerships, but what means the most is building a company that reflects our values. We strive to ensure authentic representation both in front of and behind the camera and to create opportunities for diverse creatives to collaborate and succeed.

I want readers to know that OWong Productions is more than a production company. We are creative partners and passionate storytellers who believe every person, brand, and organization has a meaningful story worth telling. Our mission is to help bring those stories to life in a way that is visually striking, emotionally impactful, and authentically human.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is creating a life and career that have a positive impact on others. Success is important, but what gives my work meaning is knowing that the stories I help tell, the opportunities I create, and the communities I support can make someone feel seen, inspired, or empowered.

As a queer woman of color, I’ve experienced firsthand how powerful representation can be. Because of that, I care deeply about creating space for diverse voices and perspectives, both through the projects I produce and the people I collaborate with. Whether I’m directing a film, photographing an event, or working with a client, I want the work to be rooted in authenticity and human connection.

At the end of the day, relationships matter most to me. The projects, awards, and accomplishments are meaningful, but the ability to build trust, foster community, and create work that resonates with people long after they’ve experienced it is what I find most fulfilling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.owongproductions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/owongproductions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/owongproductions/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18335784/admin/dashboard/

Image Credits
Gosia Sargsyan (personal photo)