Yue Yu shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Yue, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: When was the last time you felt true joy?
Finally meeting Keanu Reeves the very first time in my life at Egyptian Theatre? Seeing Adrian Brody and Michelle Yeoh before they headed to Oscars? Chatting with Scott Speedman on ‘Felicity’ in South Pasadena? Or unexpectedly run into Joshua Jackson that afternoon nearby Sportsmen’s Lodge?
My first name ‘Yue’ means ‘happiness & joy’ in Mandarin. Last time was around my birthday, I went to visit actor friend Sebastiano Pigazzi with some authentic Tianjin bao zi and Suan Mei Tang (Chinese plum tea) then quickly strolled Trader Joe’s with him, later met Director Lee Issac Chung dropping off some wonderful supplies. As a giving person, having the capabilities to share and benefit others is always a good time and true joy.
Joy is simple and easy, such as, when you smell autumn in the breeze at the end of summer.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a filmmaker and multimedia artist. In the past four years, I’ve worked for four feature movies, twelve short films, TV series, music videos, reality shows, and contributed to film festivals, screenings and museum art events; Clients including WB, Sony Pictures, NBCUniversal, CBS, DreamWorks, Tubi, AFI, Erewhon, Henrik Vibskov, etc.
When I am not directing my own film brainchild, I’m probably crafting heartfelt multimedia babies with visualized stories for brands and artists.
This year in the post wildfire chapter and amid the dangerous political climate, Hollywood feels gloomy and languishing (actually ever since pandemic).
It is absolutely a small film year again. I was venting towards ‘Together’ director Michael Shanks and the amazing Alison Brie after their screening at Aero: it just seems audiences are only expecting few great movies every year now.
I spent more time on non-profit organizations. In the meantime only kept several clients in the past light season, worked for a feature length indie movie project, making anime for an Erewhon best seller product, helping on short films for a museum, and contributing to a contestant talent show on national TV. Next, should be working on my ninth AFI FEST along with theatre managers for studio screenings (this year specifically focuses on Palestine movies).
Music industry could be the latest creative playground. A formal Capitol Record executive launched a new platform ‘Goodworld’, looking forward to collaborating with them for fun projects in upcoming days.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Culturally, the recent most impactful moment was when I got to know the stories behind Luigi Mangione case. I am stunned by the 99% vs 1% reality, the majority of Americans are suffering from the broken systems. If hundreds of thousands of citizens lost their lives because of ‘everything is profitable’ capitalism, however, not healthcare, what is happening now is absolutely sick and inhumane.
I gradually learned after paying tax, insurance and debt, American families who rely on monthly salary income barely have extra funds to spend. Big city young people need to work three jobs to make ends meet. And that’s the No.1 developed country on the planet, also financially and morally broke for a long time.
We are always in an economic cycle and inevitably fall into the law of history. Apparently the world is in a recession slot now, which triggers politics to go far-right globally, then constant chaos. It may take decades to get back to the period of economy boom and upswing again. We are navigating the dark hours.
How people are outpouring their love and support to Mangione’s legal funds do remind me of the climax of the greatest film all times ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
And film is always the reflection of our time. I always contemplate how my arts, crafts and storytelling can benefit society and help people, be more meaningful to the community and world.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
I learned religion is part of the culture root in this country along with the complexity of human nature under it. And I’d connected to all kinds of communities in Los Angeles in the past several years. Observing some wonderful examples yet also seize the shocking bad deed. Especially Christianity impact people’s minds and caused such powerful repercussions in their lives. It’s good to educate residents on kind humanities, unfortunately there is also some culty hypocrisy about mental control and greedy wealth gain. I see horrible instances, a big portion of members visually look older, like souls, spirits and energy sucked away by something, particularly some young groups, strikingly sad. The negative side of religion can hold back the development of a country and citizens moving forward to a better future.
Still remember the message I received from the first JPL visit: What will be your fate? Every item in your body was once inside a star. So the next time you look up at the night sky. You are, quite literally, stardust. You and your dreams belong to the stars, and they to you.
Among the current hustle and bustle, with simply freedom, health and peace is a blessing.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I love the quote from the renowned David Andrew Macdonald:
‘You always have to keep an eye on what your dreams are; you always have to be striving to fill your life with meaning. If you don’t, no amount of possessions or privilege will be able to fill that void inside you. Your vision is the one thing that is wholly and fully yours. Whatever you’re passionate about, make your life quest for meaning and keep doing it.’
And, stay alive, stay in the fight. Battles will lead to innovation and change;
If there is change, there is hope.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What light inside you have you been dimming?
The so-called American dream, getting blurry, nevertheless more faith in people, genuineness from humanities, and cultural diversity. Even it only looks like a beacon of light.
Real adventure is defined best as a journey from which I may not come back alive, and certainly not as the same person.
E quindi uscimmo a riveder le stelle (And so we came forth to see the stars again)
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.synesthesiavisuals.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairyyy/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yue-yu-4b95a494/
- Other: https://www.erewhonian.com/
Image Credits
Lucy Cui, Devon Johns, 24LA Project, William Brothers, Sebastian Siegel, Lindsay rae hofmann, Eli Russell Linnetz, Alberto Olivieri, Kaleb Rudy, kristina.sullivan, Nick Robinson, Lyvia Lee, Alicia Liu
