HI, WELCOME TO ABOUT INSIDER! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHAT WITH US! CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, WHO IS YUNYI ZHU IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
My name is Yunyi Zhu. I go by Sophia as well. I was born and raised in Beijing, China. I came to the US for college in 2017 and finished my undergrad at University of Wisconsin – Madison with a double major in Radio, TV, Film and Economics. After graduating from college, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my dream in filmmaking and got an MFA in Television and Film production from Loyola Marymount University in 2023. My career has taken me to some of the most renowned film production companies in the world, including Warner Bros., Mei Ah Entertainment (Hong Kong), Vanishing Angles, Tencent Pictures, and many others.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE SUCCESS OF THE MOVIE ‘FLATULENCE: THE ORIGIN’IT SMELLS LIKE AN INTERESTING PROJECT! TELL US ABOUT IT.
The movie ‘Flatulence: The Origin’ is a dark comedy about a troubled air freshener corporate employee who must complete special leadership training for his long-waited promotion after mysteriously gaining the ability to generate lethal farts.
I co-produced this film with the other two producers, Jessica QinyueLuo and Ella Xinchen Zhang.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED?
Director Harry (Xingyu) and I have been working together on various projects for the past four years. We’ve collaborated on short films, music videos, and commercials, and have always had a great working relationship. He is someone I trust and admire for his creativity and dedication to his craft.
When Harry approached me to be a part of his latest project, I was thrilled. I really enjoyed reading the script and the concept is very unique. I knew that it was going to be a challenging project, but I was excited to work with him once again. We discussed the project in detail, and he shared his vision with me. I was impressed by his clear direction for the project.
Throughout the production, Harry and I worked closely together to ensure that everything was running smoothly. We communicated regularly, and he always made sure that I had everything I needed to do my job effectively. His trust in me and my abilities was incredibly motivating, and it pushed me to do my best work. Thanks to Harry’s leadership and creative vision, the project was selected by many festivals, including LA Shorts, Mammoth Film Festival, LA Festival of Cinema, etc. It was a privilege to work with him once again, and I look forward to our next collaboration.
HOW DID YOU PREPARE FOR FILMING?
We started pre-production on our latest film project during the pandemic. With restrictions in place and safety precautions to follow, we had to get creative with how we approached location scouting. Instead of our usual method of visiting locations in person, we relied heavily on online resources. Our film was set entirely in an office building, so finding the perfect location was crucial. However, many of the office locations we found online had incorrect phone numbers or addresses, or they simply didn’t exist anymore. We sifted through countless listings, searching for a match. It was kind of a frustrating process, but we knew that we had to find the perfect office space in order to make the film a success.
After weeks of searching, our director Xingyu(Harry) Chen proposed an idea that would allow us to use different parts of the options we found and cut them together in the film, so it would look like one whole office building. Although it was not the original plan, we decided to split the office scene into 3 different locations. Despite the challenges we faced during pre-production, we were able to create a seamless and believable office building that added to the authenticity of the film. It taught us that sometimes the most creative solutions arise from challenges, and that with enough determination and effort, anything is possible.
WE LOVE FUN FACTS. CAN YOU SHARE ANYTHING FROM THE SET?
When we were shooting the boardroom scene in the office building, everything was going smoothly. With the greatest number of background actors on that day, the atmosphere was very lively and easy to work with. We had a good vibe and were excited to capture the perfect shot. However, just as we were about halfway through, an unexpected power outage occurred. It was a total nightmare for our production team, and everyone was taken aback by the sudden turn of events. We knew we had to act fast to salvage what was left of the day’s shoot. People started discussing the issue and asking for backup options.
The situation became more intense as we realized that the building’s backup generators failed to kick in, leaving us in complete darkness. Everyone was hesitant to make a move, but we knew that we had to come up with a plan to save the day. Our director, Xingyu, tried to find ways to revise the scene so maybe we can get some shots in the darkness or use our battery-powered lights. We kept communicating with the location manager and couldn’t get the power back. It was a breakout of the whole district. Unfortunately, we had to do a pick-up shoot for this project a month later.
IS THE FILM AVAILABLE TO WATCH?
The film screened at LA Shorts International Film Festival, Mammoth Film Festival, and LA Festival of Cinema. It will be released online later this year. It has been making headlines at with picking up awards including ‘Best USA Film’ and the New York Cinematography Awards and Best Dark Comedy at Oniros Film Awards.
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE PROS AND CONS OF PURSUING YOUR PRODUCING CAREER?
Producing is not just a job, it’s a puzzle game that requires constant problem-solving skills to make the final film a success. It’s a fun and rewarding experience to put all the pieces together and create something truly remarkable. However, it’s important to acknowledge that being a producer can also be stressful. The pressure of having everyone come to you with their problems can be overwhelming at times, but it’s this pressure that allows producers to shine. They are able to rise to the occasion, think on their feet, and come up with solutions that others may not have thought of. So, while producing may be a challenging job, it’s also one that allows individuals to showcase their persuasive skills and ability to handle stress.
LOOKING BACK SO FAR, WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE MOST DEFINING MOMENTS OR HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR PRODUCING JOURNEY SO FAR?
One particular moment in my career that I’m most proud of is seeing the films I’ve worked on alongside other talented artists come to life on the big screen in theaters. It’s a surreal experience that feels like a dream come true. Witnessing the culmination of our collective efforts projected before an audience is incredibly rewarding. It’s not just about my individual contribution, but about the collaborative spirit and dedication that went into every aspect of the production. Seeing the audience’s reactions and knowing that we’ve managed to entertain, move, or inspire them is a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of cinema. It’s a moment that fills me with pride and gratitude for the opportunity to be part of such a creative industry.
ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS?
Right now, I’m working with producer Lou Wang-Holborn on a new film. We are currently in pre-production, and I have a few commercial projects with brands and international companies set to start next quarter.
HOW CAN WE CONNECT WITH YOU?
I am active on Instagram @zhuyyfilm and my IMDb @Yunyi Zhu. My website is www.zhuyunyi.art