Life & Work with Tiago Li of Rosemead

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiago Li.

Tiago, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I come from China, the child of two doctors, and much of my childhood was spent inside hospitals. Those quiet, monotonous days pushed me toward books—and eventually, to writing my own stories. From futuristic cities to superheroes, I filled notebooks with imagination and dreamed that one day the world would see my ideas.

This dream led me to study Film and Television. I became a director, working on commercials, short films, and later Vertical Mini Series. Yet I quickly learned the hard truth: without massive budgets, creating truly impressive visuals was nearly impossible. For an independent dreamer like me, the challenge felt insurmountable.

That’s when I discovered AI. I founded Strange Scenes LLC, a studio dedicated to AI-powered filmmaking. Our work ranges from AI-assisted post-production to fully AI-generated cinema, including live-action vertical mini-series. With AI, we can achieve high-quality results with far fewer resources.

To my surprise, our AI research and creations have been recognized by companies in China. They value the realism and texture of our productions. Today, I’m blending my filmmaking skills with AI technology, and I truly enjoy this process—turning childhood dreams into a new cinematic future.

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 have tried many methods and invested heavily in my filmmaking journey. I’ve produced numerous projects—for instance, we once shot a car commercial in Mexico City. But the city’s complexity pushed the production far beyond our planned budget, leaving us with heavy losses. Similarly, working on Vertical Mini Series often came with unpredictable outcomes: tough shooting environments, 12–15 script pages in a single day, and constant variables that turned every production into a gamble.

These experiences made me question my path. The costs were overwhelming, the risks too high, and the returns far too low. On top of that, project-based film production meant income was unstable and inconsistent. At one point, I even doubted whether pursuing storytelling was the right choice at all.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a filmmaker and entrepreneur, originally from China and now based between Los Angeles and Zhuzhou. My background is in directing and screenwriting—I studied Film & Television at SCAD and later worked on commercials, feature films, and especially Vertical Mini Series. Over the years, I’ve directed numerous ads and short films, and also worked extensively as a gaffer and in lighting design.

What I’m most focused on today is my company, Strange Scenes LLC, which I founded to explore the future of cinema through AI-powered filmmaking. My specialty is combining storytelling with cutting-edge AI tools—whether that’s using AI to supplement post-production, or creating fully AI-generated live-action vertical series. I’m known for pushing the boundaries of what small teams and independent creators can achieve with AI, delivering cinematic quality without the traditional million-dollar budgets.

What I’m most proud of is that I’ve taken my childhood dream of telling stories—from scribbling about flying cars and superheroes in notebooks—to building a studio that’s now recognized for its realism, texture, and innovation in AiGC productions. Some of our work has even been acknowledged by companies in China, who value the authenticity we bring to AI-generated film.

What sets me apart is that I’m not just a technologist and not just a director—I live in both worlds. I’ve gone through the realities of film production, the financial risks, and the long days on set, and I channel that experience into building AI workflows that make filmmaking more accessible, flexible, and powerful. At my core, I’m still that dreamer who believes stories—whether told with cameras or algorithms—have the power to reshape how we see the world.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
As someone who’s also in the early stages of building a company, here are a few things I’d share with you:
1. Start lean, test fast – Don’t wait until everything is perfect. Put your idea into the world early, even in a simple form, and learn from the feedback.
2. Control your burn – Cash flow is the lifeline of any startup. Keep costs low, avoid unnecessary expenses, and always know how many months of runway you have left.
3. Tell your story – Whether to customers, partners, or investors, people connect with your vision more than just your product. Make sure your “why” is clear.
4. Build relationships – Entrepreneurship is never a solo journey. Surround yourself with people who share your values, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
5. Stay adaptable – Markets shift, tech evolves, and setbacks will come. Flexibility and persistence are your real advantages as a founder.

Most importantly: enjoy the process. The ups and downs are part of the story you’ll look back on one day with pride.

Pricing:

• Ai Vertical Film Shoot（Including Editing and Actor Permit）-$1000-$2000/Min
• Ai TV Comercial- $3000-$5000/Min
• Ai Promo Video- &800-&1200/Min
• Ai Music Video-$500-$1000/Min
• Ai Special shot for Film and Verticals- $50-$100/Shot

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storystation_strangescenes?igsh=ZHV5bnppNzcycmI5&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@stationstory-strange?si=eloac6IIxJXfGOsD