Today we’d like to introduce you to Evey (Qingyi) Yu.
Hi Evey (Qingyi), thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The unbearable feeling of not knowing your place or your usefulness. It was my biggest enemy and yet the greatest force pushing me to where I am today.
At age 8, I started composing music; at age 11, I became the youngest school orchestra member; at age 15, I scored top 0.1% in Shanghai high school entrance examination; at age 16, I hosted the school’s biggest events; at age 18 I started studying Film & Media Studies and Psychology at University of Rochester; at age 22 I graduated with magna cum laude, and at the same time, I was deeply depressed, unable to shake off the feeling of being useless. The pain of not knowing your place in the world. I was unable to make any decisions due to my utter fear of any possibility of failure.
“Maybe I should pursue music composing. After all, it was one of my most obvious natural talents.” “Why couldn’t I just major in some science area that I know I would be good at and get a stable job?” “Maybe I can continue my psychology study and become a therapist.” Those questions haunted me. Meanwhile, my battle with my perfectionism only led to harsher self-criticisms. “Why can’t I just be normal, make a freaking decision and settle as most people do?”
In late 2018, I stumbled upon NYFA 2-month filmmaking program. Among my classmates was a professional photographer from Brazil, a banker who had just quit her job to pursue filmmaking, and a high-school-age girl who became one of my best friends. Seeing people from all different age groups reminded me that life is never a straight line. There is nothing wrong with sparing a little time to seek the answer for “who I am” and “why I do what I do.” I have the financial ability to fail. That was my biggest privilege, yet I was not taking advantage of it.
During the 2-month program, we barely had any time to rest. Nevertheless, I was way happier. I realized that a steady nine-to-five is not for me. I need project-based work. Being surrounded by like-minded people and understanding what I am making is crucial. In college, I studied film and media studies instead of filmmaking because I thought the latter was too unstable of a career. Yet, it was exactly what I needed. Seeing the hands-on process of filmmaking also brought me some confidence. I composed, I acted, I did sound designs, I did photography, and by the end of the day, filmmaking is simply a giant Lego game.
Coming to Chapman and becoming a director was a breeze of fresh air for me. For the first time, I feel like I belong, I know what I am doing, and I am no longer living in fear of going downhills. The very first week, we were told that we would direct our first short film in about a month. We all freaked out. I remember the daily suffering I went through before the production of Pillow Fight, feeling like my writing was sh*t and not knowing what I was doing. Looking back, I could’ve taken it easy, but it was the digging of my emotional truth that brought the film success. Pillow Fight was officially selected in multiple film festivals, including The Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival (Academy Award qualifying), Chain NYC Film Festival, NewFilmmakers NY, Berlin Short Film Festival, etc.
In the past one and half years in Chapman, I’ve already directed five projects, including Pillow Fight (8-min Romance Drama), Losing It (3-min Comedy), Healing Grace (10-min TV Pilot), All That Glitters is Not Marigold (15-min Psychological Thriller) and In Between/Split Happens (15-min Sci-fi Romcom). Losing it was selected in Other Venice Film Festival, Healing Grace was selected in Imagine This Women’s Film Festival and Lift-Off Global Network. The latter two films are still in their post-production. They are much more mature and personal to me, and I can’t wait to share them with the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As mentioned, my biggest struggle came with my attempt to go through a smooth road. There will be no smooth road in this ever-changing world, especially in the entertainment industry. I am fortunate that I do not face many outer struggles. Most of the struggles I face are within myself. I used to believe that willpower could overcome anything. Through years of trying to mediate those inner struggles, however, I realize that the best way to conquer them is to understand and accept the self rather than fight against it.
When I wrote my first film – Pillow Fight, I constantly doubted myself. I couldn’t just shake off the feeling via willpower. I knew I needed to bring on a co-writer whom I could trust and feel supported by to feel more confident about the project. This is how I can mediate my inner struggles by shaping my environments to my advantage.
Knowing what is suitable for me, I still struggle to balance my environment from time to time. As I have grown more extroverted, I’ve noticed the importance of recharging myself through social events. Yet, I find it difficult to regulate – I used to be more introverted when I was little. I know long breaks without work stress me out and make me procrastinate more, yet finding a sustainable habit to keep up the spirit during the breaks is challenging. I still face many other challenges that require a better understanding of how to control my surroundings.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am Evey (Qingyi) Yu, a film writer/director/producer from Chapman University. I am super proud of many of the projects I involved in for that past one and half years.
Pillow Fight was my first Chapman project, written by Preston Francis and me, directed by me. It was officially selected by multiple film festivals, including The Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival (Academy Award qualifying), Chain NYC Film Festival, NewFilmmakers NY, Berlin Short Film Festival, and etc.
All That Glitter is Not Marigold was my first 3-day shooting project, written by Ian Black, directed by me. Everyone on this team shared a same vision, and everyone brought something unique to the table.
In Between/Split Happens is one of my most recent directing work, written by Preston Francis and me.
Last autumn, I also co-wrote and co-produced my first feature project – An Ocean Apart, written and directed by Alan Shi. I am very thrilled to see how all those projects turn out!
Meanwhile, My very first Music/Dance Video was just released online.
One of the biggest advantages I have as a director is my experience in all different aspects of filmmaking. I took on photography since junior high. I also had experience in acting, sound designing, composing, and editing. By the end of the day, filmmaking is kind of like a giant Lego game, and those experiences allow me to piece everything together in my head. Moreover, I see every project as a journey to better understand the self. It is like a therapy. Emotional truth is another aspect that sets me apart.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
The resources that help me the most are the people around me – I love to exchange ideas with people. Besides that, the class Business Insider, held by Amy Bear and Matt Bear, has also taught me a lot about the general approach in the entertainment industry.
Hey, let me know if you have any podcast recommendations or if you’d like to start one together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eveyyu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eveypicture/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@eveyyu
