Meet Olivia Huilin Gao | Production Designer, Art Director & Film Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Olivia Huilin Gao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Olivia Huilin, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
“You can only live once, but if you live it right, once is enough.”

I scribbled this quote on my middle school desk, believing in it wholeheartedly. At the time, I was consumed by the idea of living every step of my life perfectly, convinced that getting it “right” was the key to fulfillment. But with that belief came an endless loop of anxiety and self-doubt as I wrestled with the eternal question: How do I live my life right?

For much of my early years, I struggled under the weight of this question, seeking perfection and feeling trapped by the pressure of “right” and “wrong.” But somewhere along the way, my subconscious mind made a choice: it steered me toward creativity.

When I create, I transcend the constraints of a singular life. Through storytelling and filmmaking, I immerse myself in infinite possibilities. Researching, imagining, and crafting alternate worlds frees me from the need to live life perfectly—it allows me to explore all the “what ifs” that exist beyond the binary of success and failure.

As a production designer and film director, my work often begins with a “what if.”

“What if my mom returned to the same age as me?” (The Damp Season)

“What if a pastor happened to be a carpenter, turning the church basement into a woodworking studio?” (Missing Verses)

“What if the traditions of Roman combat evolved into a modern-day boxing arena?” (Colosseum)

“What if this divorced family, about to move away, had a calligraphy painting that says ‘Harmony in the family brings prosperity'” (A Spring Farewell)

These “what ifs” drive my creative process, pushing me to construct alternate realities in visual media, especially film. Each project becomes a chance to live countless lives and explore limitless possibilities. Through creating and filmmaking, I’ve discovered a way to extend my “once” into two, three, and everything.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I primarily work as a production designer, art director, and film director. While these might seem like three distinct roles, they are fundamentally the same for me in one crucial aspect: visualizing the alternate worlds I imagine—the “what if.”

What sets me apart from others is my interdisciplinary and adaptive mindset. I am a strong advocate for lifelong learning and maintain an insatiable curiosity about a wide range of disciplines, including architecture, sociology, anthropology, history, interior design, philosophy, and more. I refuse to limit myself to any single perspective, allowing my explorations across fields to inspire and fuel my creativity. For instance, while working on Missing Verses, I delved into the symbolism of religious icons. Learning about Jesus’s family being carpenters inspired me to design a carpenter’s studio for a preacher torn between harboring an illegal immigrant family and adhering to the law. The set design for that opening scene became the foundation of his character, embodying his internal conflict in a way that resonated with the story’s themes.

The greatest challenge I’ve faced in getting to where I am today is that my creativity and imagination often outpace what low-budget indie productions can afford. This has forced me to constantly find new approaches to make things happen. It’s not easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding to learn new skills in the process. For example, there was a time when we needed a human-sized tree trunk that would eventually be burned. Due to budget and safety considerations, I ended up designing and fabricating the trunk myself in just one week. The result turned out to be both realistic and highly effective.

The most important lesson I’ve learned is to never stop learning and to always embrace curiosity, no matter how unrelated or unconventional the subject may seem. My willingness to explore and adapt has shaped my approach to both production design and directing.

To me, these roles are essentially the same: achieving the shared goal of bringing imagined worlds to life, but through different methods. Over time, my ability to create impactful results on modest budgets has become a hallmark of my work, leading me to explore new forms like vertical short drama series. For me, it’s still about fulfilling curiosity and storytelling, just expressed through another medium.

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.
Eat & Drink
– Tomi Jazz – Jazz Club & Bar & Restaurant
– Debutea – Fruit Tea
– Sushiro the Handroll Bar – Sushi
– Hunan Slurp – Szechwan
– Nemesis – Malaysian
– Gopchang Story BBQ – Korean
– House of Joy – Dim Sum

Visit
– MET
– MOMA
– Guggenheim
– Whitney Museum
– Tenement Museum
– Strand Bookstore
– Argosy Bookstore
– Trinity Church

Hangout
– Williamburg – Citywalk, Vintage Shop, Flea Market
– Chelsea – Little Island & High Line & Chelsea Market
– Randalls Island
– Staten Island Ferry

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’d like to dedicate my shoutout to the entire crew of The Damp Season—every single person who poured their heart into bringing that story to life. Their dedication and hard work made it possible for me to express my vision. A huge shoutout to all the directors and producers who have trusted me with their works and given me the freedom to play with my imagination and creativity.

I also want to thank my family, for being the source of painful inspiration. And, of course, Cindy and Yolanda—these two have always had my back, no matter what. Their encouragement and loyalty mean more to me than words can express.

Every person who has been a part of my story deserves recognition. I wouldn’t be here without them.

Website: https://www.olivia-huilin-gao.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huilin-gao-78707525a/