Meet Chenning Yang

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

Hi Chenning, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?

No matter how busy I get, I make sure to cook at least once a day. On my drive home after a long day, I often think about what ingredients are left in my fridge and what I can make to comfort myself. As portrayed in Ang Lee’s Eat Drink Man Woman, food is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, and cooking for friends and family is one of my love languages. It’s also one of the few times I’m completely away from screens. Once, while I was plating dishes in the kitchen, a friend said, “I can tell you’ll be a great producer one day just by watching you cook.” That moment made me realize how much cooking has shaped me – it sharpens my time management, restores my calm when I’m overwhelmed, and helps me stay in tune with the rhythm of my life.

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

Hello! My name is Chenning, a creative producer and storyteller now based in LA. I was born and raised in Shanghai, China, and moved here 7 years ago.

I recently earned my MFA in Producing from the AFI Conservatory, and before that, I double-majored in Psychology and Communication at UCLA. For the past four years, I’ve been working as an independent producer, moving between narrative and commercial projects. My produced shorts have been officially selected at multipleple Academy and BAFTA-qualifying festivals.

I’m interested in stories that feel emotionally honest and intimate. I’m drawn to those in-between spaces where tenderness meets restraint, and silence can speak louder than words.

Most recently, I finished my MFA thesis film, CLUB RATS, a sports drama about a young golf star whose contested hole-in-one victory sends him into scandal, betrayal, and self-doubt. The short is on its festival run now and also acts as a proof of concept for a feature.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been initiative, adaptability, and self-consistency.

Being a creative is never easy, and it takes vulnerability to share your work with others. That’s why taking initiative is so important, whether it’s reading a book, reaching out to someone, pitching an idea, or starting a project on your own. The world doesn’t move toward you unless you move toward it first.

Filmmaking is a unique career because every set brings new people, environments, and energy. Learning how to adapt and being open to different dynamics is key to leaving a positive impression and building lasting relationships.

Lastly, I believe being self-consistent in your work ethic, values, and aesthetics is essential. It’s what shapes your creative identity and eventually becomes your personal brand.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

As a producer, I am always looking for new collaborations, and that is one of the main reasons I chose this career. Working with new voices and fresh ideas constantly inspires me to develop meaningful projects. I am open to connecting with anyone in the creative industry who is passionate about what they do and has a vision to create art that makes the world a little better in their own way.

If you are looking for a producing partner for a short film, music video, or any kind of creative project, I would love to connect and see how we can make it happen together.

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