Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ray Zhou. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ray, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I’m very interested in learning about people working in different fields, including artists like architects, fashion designers, painters, cellists. And individuals commonly encountered in daily life, bartenders, cashiers, or a geography teacher. Everyone has their own stories, and these narratives, even if not immediately forming a complete story, are noted in my memo for future. Observing the work of talented artists is a source of enjoyment for me, I watch their work flows, learn how they find inspirations, and transform them into their own content.
On the other hand, finding a balance between life and work is crucial. Many outstanding creators draw inspiration from life itself, emphasizing the importance of observing life rather than actively seeking inspiration. Simultaneously, I learn from others in my work, whether they are actors, department leaders, producers, or other directors. There’s always something helpful to learn.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a freelance director based in LA and Shanghai, focusing on film and commercial production. My undergraduate major was in branding, which leading me to enter the advertising industry after graduation. Subsequently, I completed my MFA in film production at the University of Southern California. Grateful for this incredible journey, it has allowed me to focus more on the narrative aspect. These two educational experiences have provided me with an advantage in approaching commercial production with a storytelling perspective. Concurrently, I am also working on my next short film script, revolving around Asian culture.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Sense of responsibility. Whether working for a film studio or a brand client, we take responsibility for the content, our ideas, and the whole production.
2. Stick to yourself. This is especially crucial for a director, although I haven’t fully achieved it myself. At times, trust your aesthetics and ideas, resist easy compromises. When your vision finally gets support and turned into footage, it usually impress people – though not every time. However, it’s a long-term strategy.
3. Step out of your comfort zone. Current technology and streaming trends are changing the production method of films/commercials. Sometimes, we must confront change and adapt. Embrace new things, acknowledge existing shifts. I firmly believe that the content/story endures. This might seem contradictory to the second point, so finding a balance is key.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
A Black Among the White，written by Xuetao Shuang.
This is a book about writing/screenwriting. The author is a Chinese novelist, and I’ve read almost all of his novels. This book discusses his creative experiences and provides many insights into writing. For instance, it explores how to adapt a novel into a film. Be more specific, how to make a film adaptation of a Stephen King novel as captivating as the original. The book teaches me to approach it with the mindset of a screenwriter/director, focusing on a crucial element from the original story, whether it’s a theme, moral dilemma, or societal issue, and expanding upon it. The key is not to replicate the entire novel verbatim; for example, in “The Shawshank Redemption,” I believe the director captured the themes of “freedom” and “reflection on the justice system,” making the film truly remarkable. Creators delve into the content to find something magnifiable, then visualize the story – that’s our job.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayzhou.fm?igsh=MXZjcXViMHRmMHNpbw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: imdb.me/rayzhou
