Meet Haoyue Yang | Film editor

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

Hi Haoyue, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
The fascination for me in editing lies in how it allows a good story to be presented more completely, sometimes even altering its course and outcome. Certainly, directors’ vision and the production set the upper limit for the film, but through editing, surprising results can arise. It’s like different chefs cooking the same dish; each creates a unique flavor. Similarly, different editors working on the same footage create distinct stories. There’s no right or wrong in editing, but how to make that dish more delectable is a every editor’s pursuit of art. If through my editing, audiences can feel the twist and turn, laughing or crying for it, then that sense of achievement is what I strive for.

I was born and raised in China. Initially, I never envisioned myself in any artistic field, let alone film. It began with a sheer enjoyment of the visual splendor and novelty that film and anime brought into my life. In those immersive realms, I gained piece of tranquilization and relaxation away from reality, and experiencing brand-new adventures with characters inspired me to pursue dreams, freedom, and love in reality. Over time, that initial fascination evolved into a passion that bloomed when I stepped into filmmaking, becoming one of the filmmakers who created those wonderlands for audiences. Despite jesting with colleagues about the irony of loving films yet having no time to watch them anymore as we make them, I found myself still unable to abandon my pursuit of film. Film, for me, acts as a conduit bridging the personal spirit with the broader world.

As the pressure of studying and work increase, I gradually realized the importance of nurturing personal spirit. In a society driven by technology and materialism, meeting material needs overshadows fulfilling spiritual ones. Art and literature endure as humanity’s relentless pursuit of spiritual satisfaction, so does film. Such cognition became more clear after I lost a beloved family member. At that moment, I found myself in emotional turmoil and unable to get out. Then, I constantly recalling scenes from movies, anime, and books how protagonists deal with the heartbreaking moments. Those classic plots that flowed through my memories kept replaying in my mind, cheering me up and inspiring me to stop escaping the reality but think what I have instead of what I lose. Fortunate in having a resilient spiritual core, bolstered by the strength derived from art and literature, I finally moved on. Thus, I couldn’t abandon my artistic pursuits in film. From one hand, I need to absorb energy from art and recover myself. From the other hand, I aspire form my works to inspire people enduring tough times. If the world were an math exam, perhaps art cannot provide formula, but knowing that someone else in the world is taking the same exam alongside you, knowing that you are not alone in your struggle, might provide some strength. These subtle forces, continuously converging, will ultimately transform into significant energy, empowering individuals to conquer their adversities.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Amidst a challenging time in the industry, the future for filmmakers seemed uncertain due to the strike. Fortunately, I landed a significant break as a lead editor in a web series company, a stroke of luck during a tough period. Differentiated from traditional films or TV dramas, the distinct nature of web series marked by short production cycles. These series, from conception to release, wrapped up in a mere two months. I began as an assisting editor. Within half a year and collaborations on multiple projects, my role ascended from freelance assistant editor to a full-time lead editor. However, the storytelling dynamics in web series were a world apart. The conventional three-act structure didn’t fit; these series demanded immediate audience engagement and buy-in within just a few episodes, making crafting a compelling opening a shared challenge among editors. For me, adapting from a film editing mindset to web contend mindset and meeting diverse media demands while satisfying audience needs was a significant challenge. The fast production cycle demanded a rapid adjustment, pushing me to set aside some artistic pursuits, a transition that was personally painful yet necessary. Nonetheless, web series prioritized audience’s viewing experience, which was fascinatingly new. The rapid turnover of projects allowed immediate audience feedback, so my colleagues and I need to learn from those experiences and channel them into the next project. This pace forced me to evolve quickly, granting me an early grasp of web content thinking and refining my editing skills. In an industry still in recovery, web series might provide the third and viable option for entertainment for audiences and job opportunities for filmmakers.

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.
If it was a week-long getaway, I’d whisk my friend off to Catalina Island. Los Angeles’s hustle is a bit much for me; I crave the serenity of a forest-meets-ocean environment. Picture this: cruising around the island in a golf cart, music playing on a bluetooth speaker. We’d catch the sunset from the island’s highest point, descending in the golden hour on our golf cart. Finding a seaside restaurant, we’d indulge in a seafood feast.

The other day, bikini-clad, we’d hit the beach for swimming and snorkeling. Or perhaps hop on a submarine to spy on fish, even try our hand at fishing. Parasailing could be on the cards, soaring high above the azure ocean, taking it all in from a bird’s eye view.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As a graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts (SCA), I must express my gratitude to my cohort, mentors, and the three-year filmmaking practical journey, all those factors working together to shape me becoming a better me. It was the admission letter from USC that paved the way for me to come to Los Angeles, where I encountered numerous talented filmmakers, including my cohort. Over three years of study and production, I not only gained friendships but also opportunities – internships, production experiences, and my current job. Their passion for the film fueled my pursuit of art, and it was nice to be not alone on the journey of pursuing dream. At SCA, we always joked at each other, saying fostering friendships with each other because someday there might be some bigs names from us, who gonna provide jobs for us. Today, the half-seriously expecting future is halfway true. My closest friends at SCA, one focused on producing, another on directing, and myself on editing. We haven’t had a chance to collaborate within our respective strengths during the time at SCA. Unexpectedly, that wish has come true now, even enabling us to profit from our joint projects.

I also want to express my gratitude to my mentor, John Rosenberg. He taught me systematic approaches to editing and nurtured my artistic eye for it. He watched my every project and patiently provided feedback every time. I addressed the notes from him and then gave him a new cut. The back-and-forth communication improved my editing skills and profound understanding on editing. We still keep in touch, and he updates the industry news for me every time. During the year I served as John’s teaching assistant, my editing skills soared under his guidance, laying a robust foundation for my future job search.

Finally, I’m thankful for the three years spent at USC. Networking was the most crucial lesson I learned at USC. Almost every weekend and vacation, I was either on set or in the lab, getting acquaint with new people, dealing with the challenges, practicing my skills, deepening my understanding of theoretical knowledge, and seizing initial insights into the standardization and industrialization of the film industry. I learned from failure and frustration, and finally polish a big heart.

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haoyue-yang-211b9a115/

Image Credits
Leyi Dai