Today we’d like to introduce you to Jiayang Liu
Hi Jiayang, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I was a little boy, I loved animals and owned many pets. But aside from simply feeding and looking at them, I was especially curious about their inner thoughts and the fantastical lives they could be living. I started coming up with stories of my own pet turtle and gecko. One day in 5th grade, I told my mom that it was be soooo cool if these stories came to life. She showed me an app on her phone called “iMovie”. Since that day, I fell in love with the art of filmmaking. I have made, in the past nine years, more than 50 short live action films, stop motion animations, and documentaries. Having lived in Beijing, DC, Maryland, Wyoming, and now California, I am constantly inspired by the many different cultural perspectives and stories surrounding my life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Always being on the move meant it was not easy for me to maintain a lot of friendships. There were times where I felt quite lonely, especially when I first moved to Wyoming. During that time, I spent hundred of hours making Lego stop motions in my garage. I faced a lot of self doubt around filmmaking, unsure if I was good enough movie or if it would even lead me anywhere. I thought maybe it would just be a childhood hobby that fades with time. Nothing was certain, but I knew I was in love with this art form. Every thought of filmmaking filled me with joy, so I just followed this feeling and let this compass of passion guide me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love telling stories of ordinary people from all walks of life and all periods of time. From marine biologists in California to horse trainers in Wyoming; from Chinese musicians from World War II to European hunters from the Age of Discovery, the most simple lives are filled with the most extraordinary tales. I love taking in every detail of my world and finding the hints of stories that are dying to be told. My films are often filled with nostalgia, perhaps because these stories come from a place of me reflecting on beautiful moments in my past.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One winter in Maryland, there was an unprecedented snow storm that canceled school for 2 weeks. I was overjoyed staying home and I got to spend every day with my two best friends working on our miniature zoo that spanned half my living room. The outer walls were made with Jenga bricks, the visitor with Lego minifigures, and the animals with toys we found at the thrift store. We filled the exhibits with stories and gave character to all the plastic animals. Months later, the three of us began making stop motion animations with these toys. There are seeds of stories hidden in everything object and every place, including second hand plastic tigers. Through filmmaking, I thrive to discover these narratives to not only entertain, but to express the way I see the world in that specific moment in time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jiayangliu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiayangliu_/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jiayangliu
Image Credits
Bonnie Zhong, Marissa Yeh, Tammy Premchan, Ethan Chu
