Meet Shuiqing Tian | Film Editor & Artist

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

Hi shuiqing, why did you pursue a creative career?
Stories played a significant role in my formative years. They provided me with an escape from reality. I was told that when I was little, I caused some trouble at home and ended up getting locked in a dark room. After a couple of hours, my family grew worried because I was too quiet, so they checked on me. When they opened the door, I wasn’t scared at all—instead, I was having fun making my hands as characters, playing by myself. Now and then, I’m reminded of that story, and I often feel like I’m still that kid locked in a dark room. Imagining stories and creating fantasies help me get through boring times or sleepless nights.

Stories also provide me a way to make sense of both the world and myself. As I grew older, I struggled with accepting reality and who I was. After middle school, I even wanted to quit studying. I had constant fights with my family, teachers, and everyone around me. One day, after another heated argument, I escaped to a bookstore and began randomly flipping through books. One book on script-writing caught my attention. It explained that conflict is essential to any story and that no character should be perfect. I still remember the immense comfort I felt reading those words. Gradually, I began to accept that conflicts in life are inevitable, and they offer us the chance to find meaning and growth. Life won’t always go as we want, and it’s okay to be flawed—that’s what makes us unique and lovable. When I’m feeling down and vulnerable, I would tell myself that this is my “all-is-lost” moment, and things will get better.

Stories is also about relationship and power. When I tell a story about loneliness I felt less lonely, when I read a story about pain I felt less painful. Audience connects to the creator. And creator has the power to hurt or heal an audience. For me, that’s very powerful, and I yearn to have the ability.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love exploring all forms of art, from text to music to images. Although I’m currently focusing on editing, I’m also trying to draw and write, eventually to create my own graphic novel. While these art forms may seem different, but getting familiar with them, I’ve come to see more and more connections in between. A few years ago, I wouldn’t have understood if someone told me that editing a video is like writing. But now, I see the similarity—they’re both about creating order, connecting one shot or sentence with another, and making the most impact from the material. When I’m faced with a complex scene to edit, I find it helpful to tell the story in my own words to sort out the structure. And I like to write in a video-editing style—first laying out everything I have and then editing it like footage into a cohesive page.

Rhythm, contrast, theme, etc., are common elements across music, editing, writing, and painting. Learning about one art form helps me understand others better. I enjoy exploring different types of editing as well, whether it’s film, documentaries, tribute videos, mashups on YouTube, or shorts. They each offer me new feelings and ideas.

I feel like I am just starting. But the journey so far hasn’t been easy at all. And I think one of the most important lessons about creating art isn’t about art but about ourselves. When we are overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious, we need to find a way to work with ourselves instead of fighting. A person has different parts, such as the body and mind, and the mind is consistent with various aspects. I often work when I am tired, and my mind is racing with different ideas and needs; it’s inefficient and painful. I think we need to learn more about our body and brain and let them work together. So we would be more productive and realistic.

As I learn more about myself, I gain a clearer understanding of the art I long to create. I’m no longer obsessed with doing things the “right” way, achieving the perfect cut, or writing the perfect story that matches all the rules. I would rather tell stories that are authentic and meaningful to me. I embrace my imperfections, knowing they are what make my work genuine and allow me to connect with others on a deeper level.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I want to take them to the BBQ Chicken and order the cheesling chicken—it’s one of my favorite foods. I’d also love to take them to Toes Beach in the middle of the night. The horizon looks utterly different from how it does during the day. The city’s lights behind us fade away where the sea meets the sky, and shadows gather near the horizon, blending into pure darkness as if leading to an abyss or the universe. I’d also like to take them to visit an animal shelter. They have kind people and adorable cats; we can learn about different cats’ distinct personalities and histories.

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 want to express my gratitude to those who have hired me for giving me the opportunity to grow and learn and for believing in my abilities. I also want to thank the different cats who have accompanied me at various stages of my life. They have provided companionship, comfort, and new perspectives on myself. Finally, I would like to recommend two books I read recently: Strait is the Gate and My Brilliant Friend. I have resonated deeply with both, and they bring me comfort when I’m feeling overwhelmed.