We were lucky to catch up with Xinhao Lu recently and have shared our conversation below.
Xinhao, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
For me, the creativity in filmmaking stems from a curiosity about the unknown and an imaginative exploration of the various different lives in this world. These qualities have been with me from childhood to adulthood, serving as the most crucial driving force to maintain my creativity.
The prerequisite for filmmaking is storytelling, and each time I engage in storytelling, it sparks my imagination about the unknown aspects of the world. I believe that for a film director, sincere experiences and observations of life are fundamental sources of creativity. The inspiration for my award-winning short film at the LA Shorts International Film Festival came directly from my own experiences upon arriving in Los Angeles. While maintaining creativity, it’s essential to keep creating consistently; otherwise, those so-called creative sparks would be meaningless flashes.
Furthermore, in the process of creation, new forms of creativity continually emerge. Therefore, I always strive to sustain my curiosity about everything while constantly creating and transforming those inspirations into works that are uniquely mine.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a film director, and simultaneously, I also shoot advertisements and music videos. As a film director, my favorite part is the storytelling stage. One of the most crucial determinants of a film’s quality is its script. It serves as the foundation of a building, upon which everything must rely. Although writing the story can be painful, the joy it brings when it transforms into visuals is immensely satisfying. Especially when my films receive awards, that feeling is truly unforgettable.
Recently, I am also in the process of establishing a company called 1800K. The significance of this name is the color temperature when flames burn, which is 1800K. I hope to radiate energy continuously, much like a burning flame, illuminating and warming everything. Flames and films share a commonality – their creation originates from the unexpected and miraculous. We aspire to have the opportunity to capture a diverse range of visuals, bringing value to the world.
While the company is still in its early stages, we have an exceptionally talented team. Cinematographers, producers, and others have graduated from the top film school in the United States, American Film Institute, including myself, who graduated from the directing department of this school. Therefore, I hope that our newly established company can gradually accumulate experience and eventually realize our dream of bringing warmth to others.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
For me, the first quality that is essential is having determination – the determination to pursue something relentlessly until it is accomplished. Before entering the film industry, I actually majored in finance in college. To achieve my dream, I gave up my previous lifestyle and started my life anew. This endeavor required immense determination. There were several times when I wavered, questioning whether giving up and returning to my previous life would be the better choice due to the uncertainties of the future. However, each time such thoughts arose, determination acted like a powerful hand, pushing those thoughts back into the abyss. In the end, I finally became a true film director. I’ve encountered friends who shared dreams similar to mine, but lacking determination, they gave up and returned home with regret.
The second quality one must possess is to always maintain skepticism. In this world, nothing is absolute, and absolute truths do not exist. Many people once told me that filmmaking has a formula – as long as you understand the formula, you can make a good film. However, when I actually studied filmmaking, I found that this so-called “formula” was entirely nonexistent. Therefore, everything is possible, and everything is subject to challenge. Maintaining skepticism ensures that we remain perpetually alert.
The third quality is to never adhere strictly to conventions. Following conventions is always the safest and most comfortable route. However, it also means that we will never progress. If we don’t break out of our existing circles, we will remain indistinguishable from our past selves. Therefore, seeking breakthroughs and innovation is what we should always strive for.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
The past 12 months have arguably been the most significant in my personal and professional growth. In the previous year, I undertook the production of the most expensive film in my life, leading to a substantial improvement in my directorial skills. My ability to control and manage actors, as well as my overall on-set command, has elevated to a new level. I learned how to communicate more effectively with actors, and I am now better equipped to handle crises on the spot.
For instance, during the filming of our movie, there was a sudden issue with the location, rendering it unavailable. Just when everyone thought we couldn’t shoot that day, I immediately engaged in communication with the venue owner and successfully persuaded them to provide an alternative location that, while not as luxurious, still met our shooting needs. This experience taught me that there is nothing that cannot be achieved. As a film director, I must possess the ability to handle any crisis. Everything on set is random and beyond one’s control.
Contact Info:
- Website: xinhaovioletlu.com
- Instagram: violetfilming__
- Linkedin: Xinhao “Violet” Lu
