Today we’d like to introduce you to Dong Lei.
Hi Dong, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am an oil painter artist in China originally (you can see my painting in my IG). Then I come to Los Angeles, and everybody knows this is a film city. so I start working as a production designer. (All the work I mention below, I am the production design credit) I start from PD’s massive amount of indie films (win a lot of different film awards; you can check all this on my IMDB pages (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6910620/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_3_nm_5_q_dong%2520lei). And also because of my Chinese background. I work lots of Chinese high-end commercials <I DO Ring commercial> (one of the best Chinese wedding ring company)/music video: artist:Lou Yixiao (famous singer and actor in China) <naughty ball><lingering><mirage>, The rap of china 2019 Los Angeles audition(one of the most influence Chinese music show). You Are the Miracle (TV web series in China). They choose to shoot in the US because those are all high-value production in China.
After my indie and Chinese production period. I know more people in Los Angeles locally. So I get more projects locally, such as Oxlade X Camila Cabello – KU LO SA, it has around 840 million viewers in YouTube. Also, this Song Ku Lo Sa has a massive view and re-create in TikTok. One of the most influential African pop music in 2022. Hollow coves-Ran Away has 145 million views in YouTube.
Also, I have been more successful in the narrative world. Only the moon stands still, rising voice season 1 project, AFI Fest Audience award, exhibition in Tribeca Festival 2021, Asian American international film festival The scorpion’s tale, distributed by Omeleto and has 168 million viewers in YouTube, also win a massive festival.
My newest film, my nights glow yellow, rising voice season 3 project exhibition in Tribeca Festival 2023.
And now, I am an Art director guild union member. I work on the Disney Launchpad season 2 project – The Ghost; this film is a future release on the Disney+ channel (unreleased yet), also exhibition in Oscar qualify film festival Hollyshorts AAPI/ASIAN INTERNATIONAL.
Also, I work with lots of famous actors such as Billy Zane(titanic), Maximiliano Hernandez (Avengers: Endgame).
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?
Production design is a leading position in the film industry. Also, one of the most important roles and normally production design lead the largest crew department (art director, set decor, set dresser, etc.). Because this job is very important and complex. So normally is very hard to get a production design job in a quality project. I work so hard, so all this year, I mostly work as a production design, is very hard to find a production design job too. Also, production design has lots of responsibilities. Not only the design part, schedule, set safety, and literally create a newborn world each time in each project.
Last, we have to think fast, keep having new impressive designs and always keep our brains fresh.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Asian culture movies (Chinese) raise fast in the US, but because of crew and conditions. They are mostly Chinese American culture and not really show China culture. So I hope my china born background, I can bring more detail to Chinese culture in my production design on a US movie screen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6910620/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_3_nm_5_q_dong%2520lei
- Instagram: leidongnirvana
- Website: www.leidongnirvana.com
- Email: leidongnirvana@gmail.
com
Image Credits
Dong Lei self picture
