Meet Zikun Wu | Writer & Creative Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zikun Wu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zikun, we’d love to hear about a book that’s had an impact on you.
Recently, I’ve been reading a book about a wife who wrote about death, life, love, and time after her husband passed away.

A month ago, I had just returned to my home country. My mom called me downstairs and suggested we take a walk in the park. Then, she cautiously told me, “I have some bad news to tell you. I have cancer, stage four.”

For many days afterward, I couldn’t stop crying. I recalled all the people in my life who had cancer, all those who passed away from illness, and their families. I couldn’t express my sorrow to my closest mother because I was afraid of upsetting her. I couldn’t tell my grandparents because they were unaware. I couldn’t burden unrelated people with this heaviness. I didn’t know how to articulate the fear of potentially losing loved ones—until I remembered a writer: Shi Tiesheng.

Shi Tiesheng became paralyzed at a young age and later suffered from uremia, requiring dialysis to sustain his life. He referred to himself as a “professional patient, amateur writer.” I wondered, what about his loved ones after he left? What was his mother’s feeling toward her ill son? I couldn’t find any information about his mother, but I found his wife’s book, “Let ‘Death’ Live On.”

Perhaps this book isn’t for everyone, and maybe you don’t like it now; give it time. Life and death might be eternal themes for humanity. Eventually, this book will encourage you and make you feel you’re not alone. But at the same time, I wish you never need this book.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a young filmmaker, I truly feel that as long as you have your own ideas, and dare to be yourself, there are many seniors in the world willing to help you.

I’ve always loved animation. When I was twenty-one, my professor invited me to help her make animations for her documentary “Cuban Divas.” Later, I wanted to learn more about TV and film, aiming to work in visual-related roles, and a senior brought me into a film and television production company. There, expressing my interest in content, I end up in development department. These work experiences later helped me to study in Los Angeles and led me into Warner Bros. At WBD., I believe I can meet more outstanding creators and friends, and I’m looking forward to my next steps.

Of course, this process is certainly not smooth sailing. Life is unpredictable, and sometimes, unexpected events can shatter all our plans. My mother suddenly fell ill, forcing me to give up everything in Los Angeles. But I still want to believe that I am fortunate. I once feared losing my family and my filmmaking dream. But because I returned to Beijing, I was able to join Warner’s Local Production Team. I still have time to be with my mother and continue pursuing my goals. I can only be grateful.

I hope all filmmakers can bravely be themselves and face their inner choices. If you love your family, spend more time with them. True gold will always shine.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Rent a car! And head to Palm Springs or Yosemite! People are meant to embrace nature, haha.

Staying at Azure in Palm Springs and soaking in hot springs in the desert is so Californian. It’s really comfortable to in winter; it calms the whole person down.

Yosemite is very beautiful, and most importantly, there’s no network in the park! There won’t be any distractions bothering you; you’ll just be with yourself, friends, mountains, trees, and rivers. How great!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Translation:

Firstly, thank you for this question! I have so many people to shout out.

My family, they never cared whether I was wealthy or successful. They always unconditionally encouraged me and provided me with all the support I needed. Without them, I couldn’t be the free-spirited person I am today.

My friends who share the same passion and make films with me. Without them, I wouldn’t have any of my works done; there wouldn’t be anyone to share my joy or sorrow with; and there wouldn’t be anyone always thinking of introducing gigs to me.

I’m so grateful for it all!

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Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/zikun-wu-690434276