Meet Yuexi Emma Li | Film Editor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yuexi Emma Li and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yuexi Emma, the decisions we make often shape our story in profound ways. What was one of the most difficult decisions you’ve had to make?
It’s a daunting task to start my career in the States, a difficult decision. Leaving behind the career that I had already built and established relationships in, in addition to the comforts and familiarity of my home country. To be honest, making the decision is just the beginning. I exposed myself to a new culture, and work environment, which likely broadened my perspective and provided new insights that I could apply to my work. It is a greater or bad (laugh) opportunity and challenge, which ultimately paid off as I got the working opportunity in an award-winning post-production company. And in early this March, I edited one of the BEST ACTOR spots for the 2023 Oscar event.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Editing is not an easy job. You are faced with the difficult task of choosing which footage to include in a project and which to leave out. These decisions can be very challenging, as each clip has its own strengths and weaknesses, and you need to consider how they fit into the overall narrative of the film or trailer.

One approach to making these choices is to focus on the key themes and messages of the project. By keeping these in mind, you can select footage that best supports the story and enhances the emotional impact of the film. Another approach is to consider the pacing and rhythm of the edit, ensuring that it flows smoothly and keeps the viewer engaged. It’s always my goal, to use minor cuts to achieve the best results and insists that there is only one best combination of footage to present the film’s theme.

Also, The film is a collaborative work. You can not just do yourself part well and with no consideration for other teams in the project. Under great communication, and searching for feedback for your cuts it’s also a good chance to learn about yourself and this creative team.

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?
WOW! Let’s start the day with a visit to The Getty Museum, which houses a vast collection of art and stunning architecture. Next, head to the Santa Monica Pier and beach for a relaxing afternoon by the ocean. There is a street taco called Brothers Cousins Tacos.
Then might catch a movie at Quentin Tarantino’s New Beverly Cinema.
I know most of my friends stay in the office too long. I will suggest getting a hike in Griffith Park, which offers great views of the Hollywood sign and plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities. After the hike, visit the Griffith Observatory, which is an iconic landmark with an impressive collection of space and science exhibits.
Visit the Farmers Market at The Grove is also one of my fav spots! LA has many amazing Farmer’s Markets. They feature a variety of food vendors and local produce. It’s also a good chance to meet other local artists!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It’s wonderful to have support and encouragement from my co-workers, friends, and family during this time, even though some of them are not physically with me in the same country.

When I was editing the feature Ciao, which just got nominated for Best Film at Beijing International Film Festival. I edited this feature remotely during the Covid lockdown. One of the biggest challenges is communication, as you will not be able to have face-to-face conversations or collaborate in person with the director and other members of the post-production crew. This may lead to miscommunication, delays, and misunderstandings.
I think during those times, everyone felt the pressure. Working remotely can create a sense of isolation and disconnection from the rest of the team, which can affect your motivation and productivity.

However, it offered unique benefits and opportunities. We talked way more than usual, we have to share 100% of our thoughts and emotions by speaking. It does help a lot for us to understand each other more and built a strong connection. It even helps me explore more possibilities for the projects. It also makes me spend more time with myself.

During this time, my parents and friends always offer a listening ear, help me stay motivated and positive, and remind me of my strengths and accomplishments. You need to dig the good side of the happened bad things! They said.

Website: https://emmasissie.wixsite.com/yuexi

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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuexi-li/