Meet Jamie Dong

 

We were lucky to catch up with Jamie Dong recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jamie, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

“Being alive is just amazing, isn’t it?”

This simple yet profound personal statement encapsulates the essence of my creative pursuit. As a filmmaker, content creator, and storyteller, I am driven by a deep appreciation for human interaction and the ways in which stories can bridge emotions, perspectives, and experiences. My passion lies in capturing the nuances of human connection and translating them into immersive narratives that inspire, provoke thought, and invite audiences to reflect on their own lives. I found my purpose in the journey itself—chasing the meaning of life became the meaning.

Currently pursuing my Master’s in Directing Fiction at Loyola Marymount University, I recently completed my thesis short film, Daydreamer, a surreal dark comedy about a people-pleaser who finally learns to say “no,” only to realize that no one cared in the first place. The film explores themes of self-worth, personal growth, and identity—core ideas that consistently shape my work. My creative process is fueled by an insatiable curiosity for the human experience. I draw inspiration from daily life, from the fleeting moments of interaction that reveal deeper truths about ourselves and the world around us.

With an interdisciplinary background in fine art, film, music, philosophy, and psychology, I approach storytelling with both introspection and innovation. I am passionate about the transformative power of storytelling—its ability to challenge perspectives, evoke empathy, and foster a more inclusive industry where diverse voices are heard.

As I step into the next chapter of my career, I seek to integrate my skills in filmmaking and content creation with marketing strategies that elevate and amplify impactful narratives. I want to craft compelling stories that not only entertain but also resonate and inspire—stories that remind people of the simple yet extraordinary fact that we are alive, connected, and capable of shaping the world with our voices.

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 an upbeat filmmaker currently pursuing a master’s degree in Directing Fiction at Loyola Marymount University. My foundation in fine art, film production, music, philosophy, and psychology enable me to craft marketing experiences that are both visually compelling and deeply resonant. By keenly observing the world, I am able to process, analyze, and organize information, which I then integrate into my work ethic and artistic creations, bringing an introspective approach that explores the nuances of human interaction and translates these insights into impactful, multi-dimensional stories and marketing strategies. As a content creator, my goal is to craft unforgettable content with a unique artistic flair, complemented by innovative digital strategies that not only entertain but also resonate on a deeper level, inspiring audiences to reflect on their own journeys and the beauty of being alive.

I am a filmmaker and artist. Film is not only a means to tell stories and ideas, but a powerful way to convey feelings and thoughts. As a daydreamer, I am passionate about creating short film series to explore the truth in the perception of dreams (‘The Reality of Dream’, ‘Dream Rhapsody’, ‘Dream About the Truth’). The experience of dreaming is so alike as watching film, which both require the human perception of seeing and hearing, involve the freedom of passing through diverse locations and scenes without limitation of time and space. I capture sparks from dreams I have at night, analyze the subconscious meaning behind the symbol, and recreate the vision into my creative form of art. By exploring the truth in dreams, I am in the process of exploring the truth in reality from another complex.

I describe the experience of viewing my art as a journey of “being a cloud floating through a fairytale world and absorbing colors from different stories, eventually becoming a rainbow”. In my journey of exploring the meaning of my life through the view of film, I am eager to not only share my interpretation of the colorful life, but also provoke others to bring the discussion of the life connotation into the next level

Balancing rigorous academic coursework with active community involvement, I discovered my passion for leading creative teams and facilitating effective communication. As a master problem-solver with an eye for overlooked details and a knack for thinking outside the box, I co-founded Loyal Production, LLC, where I serve as CFO and Creative Producer. In this role, I oversee daily operations, including budgeting, financial planning, and communications, while managing our website and social media presence to ensure seamless interaction  all in alignment with our company’s mission: “Tell interesting stories, do meaningful things.” Our company’s business include but not limited to making short films, feature films, commercials, music videos, documentary, and more. Loyal Production is a Los Angeles-based film production company. We have a passion for creating high-quality projects for a variety of industries. Our team of experts can handle all aspects of film, television, video, and advertisement production, as well as equipment rental and film production skills training.

In addition to my work at Loyal Production, I actively engage as an event planner, organizing industry mixers and overseeing a social media group of over 300 members to connect them with key events such as CineGear, Award Mixers, and Netflix Premiere Screenings. My marketing experience includes running a successful fundraising campaign for the short film ‘To Kill the Chicken’, for which I designed the campaign’s art assets and raised $9,541.24 USD. The film was later nominated at the FIRST Film Festival in China.

What makes me feel grateful in life? Simply being alive. I appreciate the existence of myself because I can perceive all sorts of feelings and emotions from this colorful world. I am seeking for the inner truth. The eagerness of depicting and sharing these strong sensations in a visualized form leads me to explore diverse ways of making art. By telling my stories through short film, animation, and installation, I leave a trace of my voice to the world in its most compelling form, which allows others to resonate with my sensations in a unique way. When audiences discover my art, I hope they will be inspired to love their life, and ultimately be motivated to pass on their love to the next person they meet.

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?

Looking back, three core values that have been most impactful in my journey are Passion, Self-actualization, and Tranquility. Storytelling, in its various artistic forms, has been my way of expressing my thoughts about the world. I constantly reflect on myself—how I feel, what I see, and the things I do. Through this process, I’ve uncovered certain truths about myself. For example, I’ve realized that I love experiencing emotions; the ability to feel deeply is what truly fulfills me.

Meditation has also played a crucial role in my journey, helping me cultivate inner peace and a sense of tranquility. I’ve often been told to “follow my passion,” but discovering what I truly enjoy and finding ways to connect that passion to the real world is far from easy. The only way forward, I’ve found, is through continuous self-reflection—understanding who I am and identifying the things that matter most to me.

For those just beginning their journey, I encourage you to take the time to reflect. Ask yourself the difficult questions. Find your personal statement—the core truth that guides you. Everything else will follow.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I have a deep passion for music and visual storytelling, particularly music videos that captivate with stunning visuals or compelling narratives. Having directed and produced five music videos, I draw inspiration from the most innovative works in the genre, always seeking to push creative boundaries.

I’m eager to collaborate with singer-songwriters, musicians, and artists to bring their music to life through visually striking and emotionally resonant music videos. Whether you’re an emerging artist looking to craft your first video or an industry professional seeking a fresh creative vision, I’m excited to explore ideas that align with your music and artistic identity.

Beyond music videos, I’m also open to collaborations on short films, feature films, and commercial productions. My production company provides the full range of resources necessary to bring high-quality projects to life—from pre-production planning to final delivery.

If you’re a musician, filmmaker, or creative professional looking to collaborate, I’d love to connect and discuss how we can create something incredible together.

Artists can contact me through below:
My contact info:
jamiedongy@gmail.com
650-686-9645
IG@jamiepainterq

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Luke Le
Stephen Nguyen
Yicheng Loyal Xie
Shuiqing Ruby Hong
Yiran Chen
Ella koenig

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