Meet Yuelin Zhao | Production Designer

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

Hi Yuelin, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
We have all been taught by our parents or the society that giving up is negative, and we should always be brave to take the challenge. In my opinion, everyone should learn how to give up. This does not mean that you should just not try hard on any challenges – for me, it simply means that people should slow their pace down and learn to pause.

Two years ago, I graduated from grad school and the film industry slowly came back to life with some COVID restrictions. I was eager to find a place in the industry, so I was taking on jobs as a production designer almost 24/7. I was then diagnosed with severe anxiety along with depression after several weeks of insomnia – I was drained by the heavy stress and huge amount of workload. At that time, I refused to stop working even though my body cannot handle it anymore – I thought “giving up” at this point just means that I would not catch up with my colleagues later. I kept going until I was sent to the emergency room by my roommate because of panic attack. My career was forced to be paused, and I blamed myself for quite a while after that.

I then went on a long break for almost a year, and it proved that stepping back was the best choice I made in my life. Within one year, I read tons of psychology and therapy books to help myself with emotion management; I picked up aerobic exercises that I would never do before; I learned a bunch of software like Blender, Unreal Engine and Sketch Up that would help me with production design; I re-evaluated my boundaries and work ethics. If I didn’t “give up” the opportunities of potentially working on bigger productions, I would not have the chance to learn much more skills and take a deep look at myself. I don’t think “giving up” makes you a coward. Sometimes it is just a smart move for you to see a broader view.

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’m Jolene, a freelance production designer currently based in the Los Angeles area. Although my initial aspiration upon entering the film industry was to become a sound designer, my career took a different turn in 2018 when I embarked on my first project as a production designer. It was during this experience that I discovered my true passion lay in manipulating the visual aspects of filmmaking. I began to educate myself in this craft by accumulating hands-on experiences on non-union sets and enrolling in production design courses.

I’ve always had a flexible approach to my role within the art department, as I believe that every position offers unique perspectives and challenges. However, the more I worked on various sets, the more I realized the depth of knowledge and improvement needed in this field. Despite lacking a formal art background and professional drawing skills, I decided to take a break from film production in 2022 to focus on learning software such as Blender, Unreal Engine, and Sketch Up. These new tools now enable me to present my designs to directors more effectively.

I enjoy crafting imaginary worlds, especially within the realms of science fiction or dystopian narratives. This creative process allows me to exercise freedom in design and effectively communicate the story visually, akin to storytelling through imagery. Witnessing the final results on screen is truly gratifying.

One aspect of my work that I take great pride in is my bold approach to selecting color palettes. In addition to conducting thorough research to align with the story’s theme, I aim to create visually striking compositions through the use of contrast and unique color combinations. While some directors appreciate my unconventional ideas, others may not share the same enthusiasm, but I always make an effort to pitch my creative concepts.

I also possess strong organizational skills, particularly in script breakdown, budgeting, and scheduling for the entire team. Collaboration is vital to me, and I prioritize clear and effective communication within the art department. When leading a team, I ensure that everyone understands the creative direction and their respective roles.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I will definitely take them to Venice beach and just enjoy the beach vibe there. And I would certainly take them to the Santa Monica amusement park at sun set times. I mostly stay in the east side of Los Angeles, and I would definitely take my friends to all the good Chinese food around there. One of my favorite is called Hunan Chilli King – just a friendly warning that it is very spicy, but also tasty at the same time.

I also enjoy hanging out with my friends at all kinds of massage places so I would take them to some of the good spots in east Los Angeles as well. There is one called Harmony Spa that I visit all the time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would definitely have to mention my mom right here. I cannot be more grateful that my mom supports my career as a production designer unconditionally. I am Chinese and it is pretty common that the parents in China are very strict, and they want their kids to be successful and get a decent job. My mom never asked me to do anything, and all she wants is that I could live a happy and healthy life. During the darkest time of my depression, she never gives up on me, stands by my side and supports me with her unconditional love. I could never recover from it without her support, and she deserves all the credit and recognition.

Website: joleneyuelinzha0.com

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

Image Credits
Profile photo credit: Cecilia Xizi Hua