Meet Yuqin Hong | Filmmaker/Producer

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

Hi Yuqin, how do you think about risk?
Risk is indeed an intriguing and complex concept. Throughout our lives, countless choices accompany us, and each choice represents a risk in itself. Many people emphasize the need for caution and rationality when facing risks. However, I wish to advocate for the voice of sensibility. Perhaps it’s because I’m an emotional person, and I believe that sensibility is my most powerful weapon. Of course, balancing rationality and sensibility itself is a risky challenge. Often, when confronted with risk, sensibility can be the final factor that helps me make a decision. In this context, it does not solely refer to emotional responses but rather the question of “Is this what I truly want?” It’s interesting how this connects with the concept of “wants and needs” often seen in storytelling. The complete arc of a character is often driven by their clear “want,” which motivates them to move forward, play a role in the conflicts of the story, and undergo personal growth through the tension between their wants and needs. Our lives follow a similar pattern. If every step is solely determined by rationality, it can lack captivation. The biggest risk/choice I have faced was pursuing a career in the film industry. In high school, I excelled in math and physics, and I once believed that my life would revolve around numbers. While being a producer still requires some numerical skills, it’s a whole other world. However, when I was 17 years old and became passionately obsessed with films, I realized that it was what I truly wanted in life. Even though I knew it would be a challenging journey, the vibrant and diverse world of movies convinced me that I wanted a life that was anything but monotonous. Risk has also been pushing me forward, motivating me to embrace challenges and opportunities. That’s why I chose to venture to the United States to continue my graduate studies and pursue a career in the film industry. Despite it being a completely unfamiliar environment, I am willing to take the risk and explore because of my love for film.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Movies have been a part of my life since I was young. I still remember me crying while watching “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale” on tv, and the excitement of my father taking me to see “Harry Potter” in the theatre. I consider myself a highly emotional person, and I often find myself in tears when watching movies. The insightful emotional perception and empathetic nature I possess make me believe that the film industry is the best career choice for me. Christopher Nolan and “Inception” were the driving forces behind my decision to embark on the path of filmmaking. Just like a frog leaping out of a well, “Inception” provided me not only with extraordinary sensory stimulation but also left me in awe of its storytelling. It completely shook me from the inside out. For the first time, I jumped out of the perspective of being a mere audience member and could imagine and feel the excitement and joy of being a filmmaker in the creative process. It was then that I realized that filmmaking seemed to be a stimulating, thrilling, and meaningful pursuit, and I found a purpose in my life. Additionally, my family has a background in the film industry, with my uncles being producers. Their influence has given me a preliminary understanding of what it means to be a producer. Thus, becoming a mature producer and truly telling the stories I want to tell has become my goal. After graduating from high school, I enrolled in Beijing Film Academy to study producing. During the four years of my studies, my professional skills were enhanced. After graduating from university, I joined a film company as a production assistant and was fully involved in the production of two television dramas, further enriching my hands-on experience. However, the outbreak of the pandemic led to a winter for the film industry. It seemed to be a silent guiding sign. I have always had a dream of studying abroad to broaden my horizons, particularly in terms of the significance of Hollywood in the film industry. At that moment, I realized that my life needed a bold shift. After a year of preparation, I was fortunate enough to be admitted to the American Film Institute, bringing me one step closer to my goal. Story has always been the core igniting my passion for the film business, which is also the driving force that made me pursue producing study at AFI. During the highly extensive two years of training here, aimed at developing us into creative producers, I gained a clear understanding of the wide range of screenplay writing quality and a deeper insight into the nature of producing. Now, As I near graduation, I am well aware that there are many challenges awaiting me after AFI, and many decisions are waiting to be made. But I want to adopt a line from “Little Miss Sunshine” and say it to myself once again: “Do what you love, and f*ck the rest.”

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?
There are quite a few great spots in LA that deserve a visit. You can go to the Griffith Park to escape the city buzz and enjoy nature. Hike the trails, visit the zoo, and take in panoramic views of Los Angeles from the observatory. LACMA is a must-visit, you can explore its diverse collection, including modern and contemporary art. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is also a must-go if you don’t hate movies. You can also enjoy thrilling rides, shows, and behind-the-scenes tours of famous film sets at Universal Studios Hollywood. If you are a Quentin Tarantino fan or a cult films fan, don’t forget the New Beverly Cinema. If you want to experience the gentle sea breeze and enjoy tranquility, I recommend Santa Monica Beach and Venice Beach. For food, K-town and Little Tokyo are not bad choices.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would shoutout to Academy Award®-nominated producer Lianne Halfon, who is not only our Producing Discipline Head of AFI, but also a generous and inspiring mentor & friend. Her taste, professionalism and knowledge set a great goal for me. She brought me a clear vision of how to become a mature confident producer while maintaining my own unique voice and aesthetics. She is also a gentle life mentor/friend, especially when I started life at AFI, facing language barriers, a new environment, and a fast-paced atmosphere. Her care, assistance, and guidance allowed me to adapt quickly. Every conversation with her has been incredibly valuable to me.

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuqin-hong-8310b7235/

Image Credits
Wuliang “Steven” Zhang, Jialiang Sun, Hector Santiago