Today we’d like to introduce you to Lizzy Yang Liu.
Hi Lizzy Yang, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always believed that storytelling is both an art and a system — emotion meets structure.
My path began at the Beijing Film Academy, where I developed a foundation in cinematic language, and later at Emerson College, where I earned my MFA in Film and Media Art. Those experiences shaped my understanding of how stories can transcend borders and formats.
After working in global media companies like BuzzFeed, Starlight Media, and Crazy Maple Studio, I found myself drawn to the fast-evolving world of short-form storytelling. The idea of telling something emotionally complete — within a few minutes and a vertical frame — was both terrifying and fascinating.
Now, as an Executive Producer at Drama Box, I lead multiple in-house productions from development through post. My role blends creative direction with strategic leadership: building teams, guiding visual style, refining scripts, and balancing artistic vision with production efficiency. It’s about creating emotional impact while driving a scalable production model.
What excites me most about the vertical-drama format is that it’s redefining how global audiences engage with narrative. Every second matters; every frame must carry purpose. I see this space as the future intersection of film, technology, and human attention.
Beyond film, I also co-founded Morsecode Records, an electronic music label that connects underground artists across Asia and the U.S. Whether through sound or image, I’m always looking for ways to capture the rhythm of emotion — that shared pulse between creator and audience.
At the heart of my journey is one belief: storytelling will keep evolving, but authenticity never goes out of style. My goal is to keep building bridges — between East and West, cinema and tech, art and audience — and to create stories that stay with people long after the screen fades to black.
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?
One of the biggest challenges in my journey has been building structure in a format that has no precedent.
When I started producing vertical dramas, there wasn’t a clear blueprint. We were inventing our own production language — how to block a scene for a phone screen, how to create emotional pacing within 90 seconds, and how to keep both artistry and efficiency alive in an extremely compressed schedule.
Another challenge was navigating cultural and creative differences across global teams. Our productions often bridge Los Angeles and Asia, so I’ve had to learn how to align different storytelling sensibilities, work ethics, and market expectations — while keeping everyone inspired toward the same vision.
And of course, as a producer, there’s the constant balancing act between creative ambition and production reality. It’s easy to dream big; it’s harder to execute under limited time and budget while maintaining quality. But I’ve learned to see those constraints as creative opportunities — boundaries that sharpen vision rather than limit it.
Finally, on a personal level, stepping into leadership came with its own learning curve. You realize that being a good producer isn’t just about managing projects — it’s about managing energy, emotion, and trust. Leading a team means being calm in chaos, decisive in uncertainty, and kind even when under pressure.
Each of these challenges taught me something essential: that resilience and empathy are as vital as creativity in this industry.
What makes you happy?
For me, happiness isn’t about arriving somewhere — it’s about feeling alive in the process.
I find happiness in creating — when an idea turns into a scene, when the team finds flow on set, or when I see an audience genuinely moved by something we made. Those moments remind me why I do what I do.
As an Executive Producer, I also find happiness in watching others grow — seeing a young producer take ownership, a director gain confidence, or a crew pull off something we once thought impossible. Those shared victories mean more than any individual success.
Outside of work, happiness is quiet: walking through a new city, cooking, reading, or simply having real conversations with people I care about.
To me, happiness is connection, curiosity, and purpose — doing meaningful work with good people and staying open to the next story life wants to tell.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yangliulizzy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lychee.fizzy/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzyyangliu/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12946301/
Image Credits
Yang Liu; STORYMATRIX PTE. LTD.
