Life & Work with Xingyi Jiang of Los Angeles

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to Xingyi Jiang

Hi Xingyi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Thank you, VoyageLA, for having me here. I have always defined myself as a filmmaker who primarily focuses on producing but never stops exploring different roles, including directing, editing, cinematography, production design, and more.

Growing up with a TV producer mother in China, I knew from an early age that I wanted to work in the TV and film industry. I began to pave this path in high school. I attended one of the most prestigious private high schools in Long Island, choosing it specifically for its studio, broadcast station, and filmmaking courses. I became acquainted with short films, documentaries, and commercials during this time. A Super Bowl commercial I produced won 3rd Place for commercial at the Locust Valley Film Festival, which deepened my passion for this field.

At UC Riverside, I immersed myself in the world of film and theatre, participating in numerous productions and collaborating with talented creatives and industry professionals. One of the short films I edited, “It’s Not For You,” was particularly inspiring as I was mentored by the renowned cinematographer Dean Cundey. This half-year-long journey gave me a fresh perspective on editing and shooting, driving me to explore diverse techniques in my work.

My quest for new knowledge and experiences in film and TV is ongoing. During a summer institute program at UCLA, I had the opportunity to work with creative talents from around the world. I took on roles such as camera operator, production designer, director, and poster designer. I connected and learned from prominent professionals, including Steven Canals, Executive Producer of FX’s TV show *Pose*, and agents from CAA and UTA. This intense, creative experience motivated me to elevate my work further and pursue an MFA degree.

I have always believed that being a producer is my entryway into the industry. While pursuing an MFA in Film and TV Producing at Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, I was mentored by many renowned producers, directors, lawyers, and exceptionally talented creators. As a director, writer, and producer, I focus on projects that are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, exploring themes of social issues, the meaning of life and death, immigration, and humanity.

I have had the honor of collaborating with some of the most talented teams to produce award-winning short films, gaining recognition at numerous international film festivals, including WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, Cannes Short Film Corner, Shanghai International Short Week, Palm Beach International Film Festival, Another Film Festival, and more. Leading these distinguished productions has been a tremendous honor, allowing me to achieve recognition and inspire others like myself. Beyond production, I was selected for the Industry OnRamp Program, where I connected with industry experts and participated in events at Netflix, exploring the business as well as the art of filmmaking—from securing funding and legal representation to marketing and distribution.

As a young producer and filmmaker, I am actively working with well-known production companies and building my career step by step.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would love to quote from my favorite film, “The Pursuit of Happyness”: “You got a dream… You gotta protect it. People can’t do somethin’ themselves; they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want somethin’, go get it. Period.” I’ve told myself these words countless times when facing setbacks and confusion.

During this ten-year journey of pursuing my dream of being a filmmaker, I faced many struggles, not just from the outside world but mostly from within. As a highly self-motivated and self-critical person, I always set high goals and expectations for myself and my work. Whether taking classes and earning the highest honors during my studies or reading countless scripts and developing a portfolio on a high-potential science fiction TV pilot, I worked hard to do my best and present the best version of myself to the industry.

For instance, Simulacrum is a sci-fi TV pilot, and I worked with a very talented and rising screenwriter, Jeremy Hsing, to continue developing the story. While others chose to work on low-budget stories and concepts, I followed my instinct to work on a genre and script that required a huge budget, more time, and high-level, strict requirements. Compiling an entire portfolio was challenging, including a cover letter, logline, synopsis, season arc, pitch deck, sizzle reel, detailed marketing and financing plans, shooting schedule, high budget, and lists of potential buyers and producers. However, when I finished, finally presented it to well-known producers, and received positive feedback and commendations, I felt an unexpected sense of satisfaction and honor. This experience prompted me to continue challenging myself and exploring more genres and topics.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Although I have been learning and working on many short film and theater productions along the way, I’m still the little girl who sat at the outdoor movie theater under the starry night, captivated by the fantasy and magic of movies. I have always believed that film is an art form that combines sound, images, color, emotions, and more to reach the deepest spaces in everyone’s mind and heart.

I was simply a child who fell deeply in love with moving images. Film is a way to express my view of the world and experience the world of many others. Most of my scripts and short films come from my own experiences and the real stories of others. As a producer and director, I specialize in spearheading project development, overseeing all phases from script development to final editing to ensure high-quality production values. I develop comprehensive proposals, portfolios, and presentations for each video project I work on. I always love to read and learn more about psychology, humanity, history, and sociology, and I incorporate these ideas into my works. As I grow, I create short films and stories that deliver meaningful messages, represent people from minority groups, introduce my culture to the world, explore the relationship between the future and present society, and inspire others positively.

My proudest thing is not simply earning recognition from film festivals or peers. The proudest thing is that I have never given up on my dream and goals as a filmmaker. No matter how fast or slow I progress, how far I can reach, or how many challenges I face, I keep myself on track with no hesitation or doubt, total commitment, and passion. My distinct cross-country experiences and diverse background make me a complex but vibrant filmmaker, willing to take on any possibility to bring joy and influence to the community. I want to continue working as a video artist, filmmaker, and producer, searching for and developing inspirational stories from life and people, focusing on diverse genres like sci-fi, drama, horror, and documentaries.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is a subjective concept; people from different fields view it differently. However, I never dwell on the idea of success. Is success in achieving life goals defined as progress, attainment, and accomplishment, or is it defined by one’s talent, material goods, or professional achievements?

For me, rather than focusing on the self, life is about devoting ourselves, “sacrificing” ourselves to love others, and giving back to the community around us, society, the next generation, and our family and friends. For example, instead of thinking about how a film can earn us honor and money, I think about how a good story can change someone’s life. When people chase success and happiness, the negatives will step aside, and we will see how far we have come from where we started. When we devote ourselves to the field we are passionate about and love, it gives us purpose and meaning, leading to ultimate success in our careers and lives. I often set goals for myself, one small goal at a time. Success is accomplishing them one after another, and eventually, we can reach great heights.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.xingyi-angela-jiang.com