Meet Mingyue ‘Emily’ Li | Production Designer & Art Director & Set Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mingyue ‘Emily’ Li and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a Production Designer, I am most proud of the moments when my work connects with the audience and helps to bring a story to life. Whether it’s creating a convincing and immersive world for a film or designing a captivating stage set for a commercial production, I find the process of designing and building environments that transport the viewer to another time and place to be deeply rewarding. Getting to where I am today as a Production Designer has been a fulfilling journey. It has required a lot of hard work, dedication, and a willingness to take risks and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Especially as a film student at the beginning, your art department most of the time will be yourself for pre-production. you need to be your own construction coordinator, your own set dresser, your own prop master, and even your own truck driver.
Due to the limited budget and crew scale, you won’t be able to get enough hands. This requires you to dedicate yourself to every single set design to the overall visual tone. Sometimes it’s challenging to have a million things to go over in your head, but when it comes down to it, it’s always been a great lesson and achievement.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The beach and nature would be my first choice. Of course, it also depends on which friend I’m with and what they like for a personalized experience. If it’s a week-long trip, a journey that would be great for any of my friends would involve lazy mornings and brunch at HOME in Los Feliz on the first day. Then, we can leisurely stroll around Loz Feliz, which has some interesting small shops and bookstores, and if my friend loves movies, there is also a cinema. We can then catch the sunset at Griffith Observatory and enjoy the beautiful Los Angeles night view. After that, we can head over to Silver Lake and find a restaurant for dinner. Izakaya Osen is a recommended Japanese restaurant for those who love yakitori. The second day could be a packed day of art appreciation. The LACMA is a must-visit and after that, we can head over to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Eating dinner in Ktown is a good option for the evening. On the third day, going west to experience the ocean and nature is a good idea. We can start in the morning at the Getty, which is also an art museum worth visiting. We can then drive on Route 1 along the Santa Monica beach and take in the scenery. Venice Beach is my personal favorite beach as it’s not as busy and more peaceful. On the fourth day, we can focus on Hollywood. How can we not go to Universal Studios! We can spend a fun day at the amusement park and experience the Universal tour. On the fifth day, we can explore downtown LA by finding a $10 parking lot and take in the sight of the skyscrapers. In the afternoon, we can visit Little Tokyo to experience a Japanese atmosphere. For the weekend, we can take a road trip to Kings Canyon to enjoy the scent of trees, clear streams, and nature, returning to tranquility.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shoutout to Roy Anderson. Anderson is known for his unique and visually stunning films, which blend surrealism, humor, and social commentary in a way that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. He has a keen eye for design, and his films are filled with intricate sets, striking costumes, and innovative use of color and texture. I was immediately drawn to Anderson’s work and was inspired by the way he used visual storytelling to convey complex ideas and emotions. Watching his films sparked a passion for production design in me, and I was inspired to pursue a career in the film industry. Anderson’s influence has been instrumental in shaping my artistic vision and approach to design, and I am grateful for the impact he has had on my life and career.

Website: https://emilymingyueli.cargo.site

Instagram: @mingyue_leee

Image Credits
Tim Toda, Tianyu Yang, Peter McCollough