Meet Yao Wen

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Yao Wen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Yao below.

Yao, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Being the only one in the room that looks like me has been a challenging yet defining experience. As a young Asian female filmmaker, I’ve often felt my voice wasn’t heard or valued, which can be isolating and frustrating. Especially when English is not my native language, I have to put extra effort in speaking so my voice can be heard.

However, I’ve learned that being exceptionally good at my craft is the only way and the greatest way. It’s the one thing no one can take away from me, and it’s what has allowed me to earn respect and carve out my own space in the industry.

I’ve focused on honing my skills, whether it’s through preparation, continuous learning, or finding unique ways to tell stories that resonate with my experiences. By consistently delivering high-quality work, I’ve been able to let my craft speak for me when words weren’t enough. Sometimes I have to work extra time and extra hard to be competitive in a disadvantage environment, but as an Asian kid I guess I’m used to that 🙂

Moreover, I’ve learned to advocate for myself and my vision, even when it feels uncomfortable. I’ve realized that my perspective is valuable precisely because it’s different. Instead of seeing my uniqueness as a disadvantage, I’ve started embracing it as a source of strength and creativity. I’ve also sought out mentors and allies who understand and support my journey, which has been crucial in navigating spaces where I might otherwise feel alone.

In the end, it’s about staying true to who I am and letting that authenticity drive my work. Being the only one in the room isn’t easy, but it’s also an opportunity to bring something new and important to the table.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I mainly work as a Production Designer for movies, commercials, and music videos. I design and build movie sets for film productions. My goal is to create a realistic and immersive movie set that make the audiences believe we actually shot on real location. I’ve collaborated with global brands such as Apple, Riot Games, and TikTok. Recently, I started to do set design for rental filming location and live-streaming sets. I’ve designed streaming sets for brands like Micro-Ingredients, Iherb and Goli.

I’d like to use this platform to spread an exciting news, one of the film I production designed for, The Lights Above, is nominated in Student Academy!

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?

My top three are :
Diverse Cultural Experiences – Working in both Asian and Western film production environments has been incredibly enriching. Each culture has its own approach to storytelling, aesthetics, and production processes. Navigating these differences has taught me to be adaptable and open-minded, allowing me to blend the best elements from each culture into my work. This cross-cultural experience has also helped me communicate more effectively with diverse teams and understand the nuances of different audiences.
Patience – Patience has been a key quality in my journey. Film production is often a slow and fast process, where attention to detail is paramount. Patience has allowed me to stay focused, manage setbacks, and maintain a calm and steady approach, even when things don’t go as planned. It’s also been crucial in dealing with the inevitable challenges of being a young, minority filmmaker in a demanding industry.
Artistic Foundations in Painting and Sculpture – My undergraduate training in painting and sculpture has been instrumental in developing my set design skills. These disciplines taught me about composition, color theory, texture, and form—all essential elements in creating immersive, believable environments on film.

I am not sure if I am qualified to give people advices, but I will say stay open, stay patient, and always look for ways to connect your unique background to your current work.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m currently seeking people to join my Art Team as long-term collaborators, set dressers, prop masters, set painters, etc. If you are interested in Art Department, I have multiple positions for you!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.wenyaofilms.squarespace.com
• Instagram: weny40_