Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Olivia Wong. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Olivia, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I don’t think anyone ever fully overcomes imposter syndrome, but rather, we all learn to live with and move forward in spite of it. Oftentimes, it’s just a battle of who’s in control that day – us or our insecurities. We all have that little voice inside our heads that tries to bring us down, make us doubt ourselves, and invalidate our successes. Certain days, it’s easier to drown out the noise and even completely silence it. Other days, it feels like a blaring alarm clock with no off-switch. Whenever I’m feeling the latter, I usually turn to my support system. Asking for help is an act of strength, not weakness. The most powerful thing on this planet is the power of community. Being surrounded by people who not only believe in you, but also uplift you, inspire you, and bring you closer to your highest-self is the most important thing.
Additionally, I’ve found it really helpful to always circle back to my “why”. My purpose is my passion and as long as I remain in alignment with that, nothing can stop me.
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’ve always aspired to enact positive social change in the world through cinema. A big reason for this is because I was essentially given a second chance at life. I was adopted from Hong Kong and frequently reflect upon how blessed I am to simply be here. I want to inspire people to live their lives to the fullest, whilst also being empathetic and accepting of others. The duality of evoking emotion and provoking alternative ways of thinking is the vision that I have for my work. There is obviously a limit to the number of people that I will personally connect with during my lifetime, but film allows for infinite possibilities because it transcends both time and space. It allows for a long-lasting impact that has the possibility of extending far into the future.
Instead of making films that satisfy people’s impulse to escape the world around them, I aspire to push people to reevaluate their own lives by sparking (or continuing) their respective self-improvement through self-awareness. Just as the “Magic Window Theory” suggests, media (like television and movies) serves as a reflection of real life. We live in a world rampant with opposing viewpoints and bigotry, but sharing stories that authentically encompass the experiences of various marginalized groups/topics (i.e. LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, mental health, etc.) can bring us together in ways unimaginable. I’ve always believed that education and exposure are the keys to ushering in nuanced ways of thinking and acceptance.
I founded my production company “OWong Productions” with the same goals in mind. In addition to fostering safe spaces and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities, I also hope to create this kind of long-lasting impact with my work. It’s incredibly important to bring topics to the light that have been hidden, judged, and dismissed for so long.
When working with clients, I always try to find ways to elevate their projects whilst also keeping the integrity of their vision intact. Normally, a client will come to me with an idea or script. Then my team and I will bring it to life – taking care of everything from development/pre-production, all the way through post-production and beyond. The best type of creations are always accomplished by cohesive collaboration.
Although my primary focus is within narrative film work, I also really enjoy directing music videos, documentaries, and more. My production company offers both filmmaking and photography services of all kinds, not limited to any specific constraints. What’s most important is abiding by our aforementioned core values to create high-quality products that both satisfy our clients and make a positive impact on our communities.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three qualities that have been most impactful on my journey are empathy, communication, and patience. I truly believe these are the 3 pillars for success in any field. I think the best way to develop/improve these skills is to first understand why they’re so pivotal and then implement them into our daily interactions.
As empathy allows us all to connect with each other, it should always be at the center of our interactions. We could create much more unity if we made a better effort to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. It sounds simple enough, but can be difficult to do when we get too wrapped up in our own worlds. We are all the main characters of our own stories, but it can be easy to forget that our story isn’t the only one that exists or matters. When we’re able to truly empathize with others, regardless of how different their stories might be to ours, that’s when the true magic happens.
Similarly, I’ve always believed that the best and most effective communication is done from a place of vulnerability. Only when we allow ourselves to show up as our true-authentic selves do we free ourselves from the shackles of our egos. Most miscommunications occur because of a lack of communication; a lack of honesty within ourselves and consequently, a lack of transparency with others. The ability to communicate well with others starts within one’s own self.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client is someone who aligns with my values and the mission statement of my production company to enact positive social change in the world. As a queer WOC, it’s paramount to bring authentic representation (both in front of and behind the camera) to all of my projects.
For me, it’s more about the message than anything else – what are we saying with this piece? Is it something that I feel aligned with? Is it something that will have an impact? All of my clients are either members of underrepresented communities and/or want to create content with and for marginalized groups of people. In this same vein, any material that’s related to mental health awareness and advocacy is always something that I look for as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.owongproductions.com/
- Instagram: @oliviawong11 and @owongproductions
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/owongproductions/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-wong-576602152/
Image Credits
Joaquin Cintron, Drew Gayner, Louis Franco, Momodu Mansaray, Brandon Carson, Karolina Bryner
