Meet Wenzhao Li

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Wenzhao Li. Wenzhao was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Xiaotong Wen.

Wenzhao, thank you so much for joining us today. We’d love for you to bring our readers up to speed – can you introduce yourself and share your story?
I identify myself as an Interactive Media Artist, specializing in crafting immersive experiences that captivate and engage audiences. Interactive media encompasses the utilization of diverse digital technologies and platforms to create dynamic and interactive content, enabling users to actively participate and connect with the artwork.

My path to becoming an Interactive Media Artist has been shaped by both serendipity and inevitability. Since a young age, I have been driven by curiosity and a deep passion for creation. Initially, I believed that my creative aspirations could be fulfilled within the realm of science, which I also view as a form of media. However, I soon realized that the scientific process, with its lengthy timelines and gradual progress, did not align with my eagerness for immediate visualization of my ideas.

During my pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in science, I began exploring alternative avenues of media that would enable me to bring my imagination to life more rapidly. While motion pictures provided a visual representation of my concepts, I yearned for a medium that could push the boundaries further and facilitate interactive and engaging experiences, allowing the audience to actively participate and forge deeper connections.

Motivated by this vision, I embarked on a self-learning journey, honing my skills in digital media. I delved into various tools such as Unity 3D, Maya, and computer language scripting, as well as techniques related to motion pictures such as editing, directing, and cinematography. By dedicating countless hours to practice and experimentation, I transformed my passion into a professional pursuit.

Recognizing the importance of formal education in further advancing my craft, I sought out professional training and enrolled in relevant courses and programs. This formal education, including my studies at the University of Southern California, provided me with a strong foundation and expanded my knowledge in the field of interactive media.

This journey ultimately led me to a fulfilling career as an Interactive Media Artist, currently working as a technical animator for video games. In this role, I contribute to the animation pipeline within a game studio. However, beyond my job responsibilities, I am consistently exploring new technologies and ideas to create meaningful and unforgettable interactive experiences. My journey as an Interactive Media Artist is a continuous one, driven by the desire to push boundaries and engage audiences in innovative ways.

Please talk to us about your creative work and career. What should we know?
While I can’t go into too much detail about my current job, I would like to share my thesis project with you. It focuses on a real-time editing system for virtual production and an animated interactive project using a real-time rendering game engine. In traditional motion picture production, the film editor plays a crucial role in interpreting and piecing together shots and scenes to create a cohesive story. However, there are often multiple takes of each shot, capturing different actor performances and subtle variations in emotion. Unfortunately, many of these performances are left unused during postproduction, hiding untold stories and possibilities. The realm of interactive media offers a new approach to storytelling by preserving a vast number of performances as a pool and dynamically tailoring the audio-visual experience for different audiences in real time. The Real-time Editing System I developed explores this frontier by adapting the story’s timeline based on the audience’s real-time inputs, just as a storyteller adjusts their speech to suit their audience’s interests. The system allows for different experiences within the same linear story, adjusting pacing and performance to cater to individual preferences. It can shrink or expand scenes based on audience preferences for action or character-driven moments. This system utilizes eye tracking data collected by a Tobii eye-tracking camera. This data is converted into weights, which are then used by multiple algorithms to interpret the viewer’s gaze behavior. If you would like to know more about my work, please feel free to reach out or check out my portfolio for examples of my projects and creative endeavors.

So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Xiaotong Wen and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with Xiaotong.
When it comes to thinking and refining concepts during collaborative projects, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Each person may have their own methods and preferences. Personally, I find it helpful to start by mapping out a structure or boundary for the creative work. This structure acts as a guide, preventing the project from becoming overwhelming and ensuring it remains within manageable limits. Additionally, having a standout aspect or focal point, such as a technological barrier for interactive artwork or a captivating animation for a short film, can make the work outstanding.

To collaborate efficiently in the future, it is important to work with individuals who have a clear understanding of their role and are skilled in their respective areas. Surrounding yourself with motivated and knowledgeable team members who know what they are doing can greatly enhance the collaborative process. Their expertise and dedication will contribute to a more effective and successful outcome.

Website: http://www.wenzhaodesign.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wenzhao-li-25b2a9a4/

Other: https://vimeo.com/user79115113