Meet Xiao Ying

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Xiao Ying a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Xiao, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

My work ethic really comes from a mix of things, but I’d say my mom’s influence is a big part of it. She’s doing business, and watching her over the years, I’ve learned how important it is to be responsible – not just to things, but to people. She’s always there for her team, really caring about them, and I’ve seen firsthand how that creates an environment where great work can happen.

I guess I’ve taken that to heart in my own career. When I’m working on a project, whether it’s a music video, a commercial, or a film, I feel this sense of responsibility on different levels. There’s my own reputation, sure, but it’s more than that. It’s about honoring the efforts of my crew and thinking about how our work might impact the people who see it. I don’t want to let down the people who cares about it – not my team, not the audience, and not myself.

I think what keeps me going is the joy of bringing creative visions to life. There’s nothing quite like seeing a project come together, knowing the impact it might have on people. And working with talented teams, seeing everyone’s efforts pay off – that’s incredibly rewarding.

I try to approach each project with the mindset that it needs to have both artistic and commercial value. It’s a balance evaluation. I want to create something meaningful, something that entertains but also resonates with people. And at the same time, I want to make sure everyone involved feels valued and motivated.

I’m still learning and growing in this industry. There’s always more to discover, new challenges to face. But I think if I can keep holding onto these values – caring about the people I work with, taking responsibility for the work we do, and always striving to create something worthwhile – then I’m on the right track.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

As a producer in Los Angeles, I’ve been fortunate to work on a variety of projects over the past three years. While I’ve enjoyed working on larger productions like “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and “Bullet Train,” lately I’ve been focusing on vertical mellow dramas, which are an exciting trend in the industry.

In fact, this June was particularly busy for me. I had three dramas released almost simultaneously: “Fated to My Cruel CEO” with Dramabox, “Marrying My Ex’s Uncle” with ShortMax, and “Temptation of Ex-Wife” with Meme Short. Right on their heels, we released “Tangled Ties & Tipsy Vows” with Sereal+.

These projects have been a great opportunity to explore storytelling in a compact, efficient format. They’re quick to produce and cost-effective, which allows for more creative risks. Such format really proved its worth during the industrial strikes time period. When larger productions were paused, I was able to pivot to these smaller projects, which taught me a lot about adaptability in this business.

I think what sets me apart is my ability to maintain quality across different scales of production. Whether it’s a big-budget film or a vertical drama, I’m committed to creating engaging content that resonates with audiences.

This industry is always evolving, and I’m keen to be part of that change. I’m always open to new collaborations and challenges, so stay tuned for what’s coming next.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Adaptability: Change is the only constant. New trends and technologies are always emerging, and it’s crucial to stay adaptable. I’ve found that being open to fresh ideas while maintaining a strong work ethic has helped me navigate the evolving landscape. Whether it’s embracing new formats or adjusting to shifting audience preferences, I try to approach each change as an opportunity to learn and grow. It’s not always easy, but I’ve found that flexibility paired with persistence can lead to some really exciting projects and collaborations.

A pure heart for people and art creativity: I learned the importance of responsibility from my family and my work experiences on different type of projects. I try to apply this not just to tasks, but to the people we care – ensuring a positive environment where great work can happen.

Balancing the wants and needs: I strive to create content that has both artistic and commercial influences. It’s about telling compelling stories while also ensuring projects are viable.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

This past year has been a period of remarkable growth for me in the production world. Looking back, I’m impressed by how quickly I’ve been able to expand my skillset and take on new challenges.

What stands out most is how rapidly I’ve broadened my expertise. While I’ve had the chance of working on big titles with great production teams, I’ve also become a key player in the fast-paced vertical mini-drama market. This expansion into diverse project types has really accelerated my professional development.

I’ve seen a dramatic improvement in my ability to manage resources effectively across different production scales. We’re now producing compelling content more efficiently, which has pushed me to innovate and find creative solutions quickly, regardless of the project’s size.

My core producing skills have also advanced rapidly. Balancing work on major productions while taking on multiple high-stakes projects in new formats has sharpened my decision-making abilities and enhanced my leadership skills, especially when working with diverse teams under pressure.

Perhaps the most significant growth has been in my ability to swiftly adjust to industry shifts. When our sector faced recent challenges, I quickly adapted my approach, allowing me to maintain momentum and continue developing my skills across various production types.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about my trajectory. I see immense potential to keep growing at this pace, applying what I’ve learned from both large-scale productions and nimble projects to an even wider range of work. My goal is to continue this rapid career development, blending the efficiency I’ve gained from smaller productions with the high standards and scope of larger projects.

While I’m proud of how quickly I’ve progressed, I know this is just the beginning. I’m committed to maintaining this momentum and pushing myself to reach new heights in the production world. There’s still so much to learn and achieve, and I’m eager to see where this journey takes me next.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/effyemily/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/effy-y-2736ba1bb/