Meet Hsuan Ting | Filmmaker

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

Hi Hsuan, what role has risk played in your life or career?
For me, risk-taking isn’t just about uncertainty, it’s also about recognizing the risk of not taking a risk. I don’t like to dwell on regrets because I’d rather just try. Failure doesn’t scare me, because I’ve learned that nothing lingers as much as wondering what if you took the risk.

Growing up, I moved a lot, constantly adapting, learning, and redefining myself. That experience shaped how I view risk, not as something to avoid, but as a necessary part of growth. Choosing to pursue filmmaking was one of the biggest risks I’ve taken, and while I’m still navigating the unknown, it’s a different kind of growing pain that comes from pushing forward rather than staying in a place where growth isn’t possible.

Filmmaking itself is an act of risk, you pour your heart into a story, never knowing how it will be received. My current thesis film Legacy is deeply personal, exploring themes of memory, purpose, and what we leave behind. Some might see filmmaking as an unstable path, but I see not making films as the bigger risk, because the cost of not doing something is bigger.

At the end of the day, I believe taking risks isn’t about guaranteeing success, it’s about making sure I never look back and wish I had been braver.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m passionate about telling stories that capture felt yet unarticulated emotions, the ones we all experience but struggle to put into words. One of the most powerful moments as an audience member is seeing a feeling you’ve carried reflected back at you on screen. It’s both validating and empowering, a reminder that you’re not alone.

At the heart of that connection is a filmmaker’s ability to be authentic. So much of the truth we experience is hidden, buried under societal expectations, judgment, or shame. But when a filmmaker is willing to unpack all of that, to strip away the noise and find something real, it always pays off. Audiences may not always have the words for it, but they can feel it.

That philosophy is what drives me as a filmmaker and is at the core of my upcoming thesis film, Legacy. It’s a deeply personal story about memory, purpose, and what we leave behind, a film that explores the tension between preserving the past and making space for the future. Legacy reflects so much of what I care about in storytelling: characters shaped by quiet struggles, the weight of unspoken emotions, and the search for meaning in a world that often forgets. I’m excited about this project because it’s not just a film—it’s a conversation about what it means to truly be remembered. It was also a project inspired by conversations with my father after he retired and struggled with purpose beyond his career.

Getting to where I am today professionally hasn’t been easy. Filmmaking is a path filled with uncertainty, and the reality that there’s no guaranteed roadmap to success. But I’ve learned that the only way forward is to take it one step at a time. Every challenge has pushed me to be more resourceful, more intentional, and more fearless in my choices.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that perseverance matters more than talent. Everyone experiences doubt, rejection, and setbacks, but the ones who make it are the ones who keep going. I’ve also learned that storytelling isn’t a solo pursuit—surrounding yourself with people who inspire you, challenge you, and believe in you makes all the difference.

At the end of the day, I want my work to remind people that their stories matter—that even in a world that moves fast and forgets easily, the way we make people feel, the stories we tell, and the truths we reveal do have an impact.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It’s kind of wild that I’ve been living in LA for over two years, and yet my answer to this is still pretty simple-probably because most of my time is spent in school, on set, or at home catching up on sleep.

When a friend visits, the most important thing isn’t necessarily where we go, but the chance to actually catch up on life. Film school completely takes over your schedule, so I love hearing what’s going on in other people’s worlds. That being said, there’s one thing I’d definitely suggest—grabbing tacos from the truck outside AutoZone near where I live. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s one of my favorite late-night spots, and honestly, nothing beats good food with good company.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who have helped me get to where I am today, but if I had to dedicate my shoutout to one person, it would be my dad.

When I was a kid, my dad and I would walk to Blockbuster every Saturday night. It was a weekend ritual that we never skipped. It was about the anticipation of discovering something new. The walk there and back was always filled with excitement and anticipation. We’d even put away snacks for our Saturday nights.

Watching movies became our thing. We weren’t limited to any genres and my dad never cared how young I was either, we were both fully absorbed in whatever world unfolded on screen. And we’d talk about it the next morning over Sunday breakfast. Those conversations made the stories feel even bigger, as if they didn’t just exist on the screen but in our own little world too.

Looking back, I realize those nights were what first made me fall in love with storytelling. My dad’s curiosity about the world and his love for stories made me believe anything was possible. More than that, he taught me that stories aren’t just meant to be watched, they’re meant to be shared, discussed, and felt.

Even now, as a filmmaker, I carry those Saturday night walks with me. The excitement of discovering a new world, the joy of experiencing it with someone else, and the conversations that stay with you long after the credits roll.

Instagram: olivehsuan

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuhsuanting/

Image Credits
Photocredit: Hollings Rankin