Today we’d like to introduce you to Pyae Phyo Pying.
Hi Pyae Phyo, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Mingalaba! (Greetings in Burmese) I’m Pyae Phyo Pying, but most of my friends call me Cindy. I am an LA-based Production designer, art director, and Set dresser. I come from the city of Mandalay, Myanmar, which I humorously referred to as the “Neighbor of Thailand.” My multicultural background as a third-generation Chinese in Myanmar shaped my upbringing, providing proficiency in three languages—Burmese, Mandarin, and English. I was captivated by movies and TV shows from diverse cultures that I grew up with. This fascination evolved into a keen interest in filmmaking and the intricate artistry behind each production. I studied mass communication for two years in Singapore, which gave me a solid foundation in the entertainment industry. I decided to move to LA to pursue my study in film. I recently earned my degree in Film Production with a specialization in Sound from Cal State Northridge University. Throughout this filmmaking journey, not only did I deepen my understanding of my passion for sound, but also had the opportunity to showcase my creative abilities in set design. Transitioning from a city where the film industry garnered little interest to a vibrant hub where I encountered numerous filmmakers and absorbed the intricacies of the craft, I found a profound sense of belonging here in Los Angeles, California.
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?
I love to imagine my life as a movie, with me as the protagonist navigating through numerous challenges, all leading to a perfect ending. However, working in this industry hasn’t been smooth sailing for me. Despite majoring in Film, it became clear that my education alone wouldn’t unveil the intricacies of this dynamic field. I had to seek on-set opportunities outside of school to truly understand and gain hands-on experience. As a sound student, grappling with the high costs of sound equipment led me to find a part-time job to afford the necessary gear. Yet, there were moments when I felt lost and uncertain about what I wanted to do. In 2021, a significant coup in my home country of Myanmar shook me to the core. Witnessing the turmoil and fearing for my family’s safety, I questioned whether I should continue my studies in LA. Alongside external challenges, internal struggles persisted. Comparisons with others left me feeling ordinary and less talented. Witnessing friends back in my hometown achieve financial independence while I continued to jump from set to set, working for free, got me questioning if I had made the right decision.
But, if you are wondering if I regret my decision to come alone to study film here in LA, my answer is no. Reminding myself of the one life I have, I’ve learned to refrain from comparing my journey to others. At the end of the day, life goes on, and all I need to do is wipe out the negativity from my mind, stay motivated, and never give up. Thankfully, my family has been a pillar of support, both financially and emotionally, enabling me to pursue my dream in LA. Now, as my story unfolds, the new challenge as a recent graduate is to find a job and embrace the forthcoming obstacles. Since I am still young, this is the time for me to work harder and live more passionately.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Being in film school has provided me with the opportunity to explore various departments, but my primary specializations are set design and location sound. A typical day as an Art Director involves production meetings, creating props, decorating sets, managing budgets, and graphic design work. In addition to my role as an Art Director, I also serve as a Location Sound Mixer and Boom Operator, responsible for capturing on-set sound. I take pride in my work on all the sets I’ve worked on, and I’m sincerely grateful for all those who have given me these opportunities.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
As a freelancer and recent film graduate, I am very open to collaboration. I mainly showcase my work through social media, which is where I mainly network to get projects.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14347609/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindyxbd?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr https://www.instagram.com/cindyxbd?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
Bts credit to Jose Ubaya, bts credit to Andre Hurtado Ramirez, BTS credit to Eric He, and photo credit from Charissa Legoh.
