We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ruoyang’Jesse’ Ren. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ruoyang’Jesse’ below.
Ruoyang’Jesse’, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
As a filmmaker, it’s easy to form goals, such as winning an Oscar, making a blockbuster, or becoming a storyteller whose work resonates with audiences. There are countless lofty ambitions waiting to be pursued. But for me, finding my purpose has been a long journey.
When I was a child, I was fascinated by the idea of going to the cinema. For me, it was an entirely new world I hadn’t yet encountered. Before my worldview had fully developed, movies had a profound influence on my understanding of the world—shaping my views on love, beauty, justice, and morality. To me, films were like a teacher, not guiding me toward a specific goal, but instead leading me toward a deeper understanding of the real world.
When I entered university, my initial major was computer science. But I soon felt constrained by it. I had to spend entire afternoons or even whole days sitting in front of a computer, studying algorithms and coding. Around that time, I had friends studying filmmaking. They were constantly exploring new locations, working with new actors and crew members, and I found myself envying that lifestyle. I began to sense that my true calling was something else: I didn’t want to feel confined—I wanted to step outside, meet interesting people, and experience exciting things.
It wasn’t until a few years into studying film that I finally realized what my true purpose was: I wanted to be a storyteller. Whether the story is happy or sad, whether the audience understands it or not, I’ve learned not to focus on that. What matters to me is telling stories that can be shared through the medium of film. Every time I watch a movie from decades ago, I think about how a piece of work can endure through time. The creator may have long since left the industry—or even passed away—but their work remains, immortal. This is one of the few ways a creator can be remembered by the world: through what I like to call “proof of existence.”
After years of learning and creating in the field of film, I believe the pursuit I’ve been searching for is to find my own “proof of existence.” Through storytelling, I hope to leave behind a legacy—something that shows I was here, that I created, and that my stories will live on.
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 Director of Photography and graduated from the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University. I run my own production company and equipment rental business called Spherical Productions.
What means the most to me about being a DP/cinematographer is the opportunity to collaborate with different producers, directors, and crew members. Every time I encounter a new script or a new way of expression, it’s always a great surprise and inspiration for me. While I work as a DP, I also provide my equipment to other film sets, and the idea of helping fellow creators is a huge source of motivation for me.
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?
1. Clear planning 2. Strong drive and action
3. Humble attitude
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; be bold and try new things. The best teacher is experience.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I hope to collaborate with more people who have a solid foundation in film and media knowledge. Whether you are outgoing and good at communication, or more introverted and focused on the technical and creative aspects, I’m open to working with you. If you’re interested, feel free to contact my company at service@spherical-production.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jesseren.com
- Instagram: ren.jesse_dp
Image Credits
Frank Xu
