Meet Mingfeng Li

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

Hi Mingfeng, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Back in 2017, while I was studying International Business at San Diego State University, I picked up my first camera and began exploring photography. Spending time with friends from Santa Monica College who were also into photography, we’d head out to take pictures just for fun. We experimented with various types like landscapes, street, and portraits. We even created a documentary for an er-hu artist who was performing on Santa Monica Pier. At that time, photography and cinematography were just hobbies to me, not something I saw as a career path.

After graduating, I landed a job in the logistics industry. My daily tasks involved organizing inventory, managing orders, and helping clients with shipping issues. One day at work, a scary incident jolted me. A large furniture package fell from a shelf about 24 feet high, narrowly missing me and only scratching my back. Though I wasn’t hit directly, the experience made me contemplate life and the need for change to make my ordinary existence more fulfilling.

While sitting at the urgent care office that day, I reflected on what could have happened if things went differently. It realize that I wanted more from life – something that would truly make me feel alive and break free from the ordinary life. This led me to make a decision to pursue a different path.

I took a leap of faith by applying to film school and immersing myself in the world of filmmaking. Learning the ropes step by step across different departments, I eventually discovered my true passion in lighting and cinematography. This marked a significant turning point where I found my own path.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart in my art is utilizing lighting and composition to tell the story. I am a DP who focuses more on the lighting aspect because I think good lighting can help the audience feel what the characters feel, creating a mood for the story. Audiences can immediately perceive the story through the lighting of the frame. My focus is to ensure the audience feels the same mood as the story. This is what makes my work different from others.

What I’m most proud of is my experience and understanding of lighting. My experience provides me with a guideline to collaborate with different Directors or DPs when I work as a gaffer. It gives me a basic concept to set up the lighting plan. My understanding of lighting is more than just placing different lights for a scene. The most important aspect is knowing the quality of the light and being able to make it serve the story.

My journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Film sets demand 12-hour workdays and can be incredibly intense sometime. It’s need to work both quickly and smartly. At times, I lost focus and overwhelmed myself one set while overload myself from work. However, with increased experience and by learning from professional crews, I have learned to manage a better mental health.

The lessons I’ve learned on set emphasize the importance of communication. In many ways, making a movie is a form of teamwork. Every single crew member utilizes their experience and effort to bring the best outcome to the story. I believe that good communication can make the movie set much more efficient and bring more inspiration to the story.

For me, film is a way to express our emotions and points of view. I aspire my work to become a powerful voice that contributes to creating a better world for some people in our society.

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.
I will take them on a small road trip to San Diego, just a 2-hour drive from LA. The view along the way on the number 5 freeway is Amazing; I’m sure you’ll want to make a stop on the route.

Upon reaching La Jolla beach, remember to stay away the sea lions while enjoying the stunning coastline. please be cautious not to get too close to them as they can be quite temperamental.

Personally, I find the vibe at Mission Bay the most enjoyable. In the afternoon, grab a paddleboard or surfboard and start a little adventure on the sea.

Make sure not to miss a visit to Old Town at night. The music and food there is fantastic, and I’m certain you’ll love the atmosphere.

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?
I have so many people to shout out.

All of the lovely people I met on the film set have helped me grow and become a better filmmaker. They not only taught me how to be a part of the film set but also showed me the importance of teamwork. I cannot create any work without their help.

I also want to shout out my film school, ArtCenter College of Design, where my journey began and where I met many friends and instructors who share the same passion as I do. We worked together, giving our best to create meaningful work.

These individuals have shaped who I am today. I am so thankful for all of this!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martin_fantasy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mingfeng-li-b117a01ab/

Image Credits
Yinhao Cai, Daniella Jin